Senegal is a secular state, the vast majority of whose citizens follow the Muslim faith yet Muslims and Christians live side by side, with no neighbourhoods defined by religion. 
Each faith invites the other to take part in religious celebrations and Christmas is no different. 
Report aired on RFI on 25 Dec 2015:  http://rfi.my/1PdJfxz

Muslims join Christians for Christmas in Senegal

Black skinned dolls with Afro hair have arrived in Senegal. While toys can help children's development, a child psychiatrist adds that toys that promote positive self-identity are even more useful. Taofick Okoya, a Nigerian dad, created the dolls after finding that all the dolls in his house were white and his daughters didn’t have any dolls that looked like them. For RFI English broadcast in April 2016. 

Nigerian 'Queens of Africa' dolls in Dakar

Africa’s scientific minds gathered in Dakar to exchange on the continent’s high potential to uncover the next Einstein. The Next Einstein Forum (NEF) is a platform that brings together leading thinkers in science, policy, industry and civil society in Africa to leverage science to solve global challenges. Aired on Deustche Welle's Africalink programme on 19 April 2016.

Next Einstein in Africa

8th March is International Women's day.   Captain Irene Koki Mutungi,  was the first female on the African continent to become certified as a Captain of the Boeing 787 "Dreamliner" aircraft. She flies for Kenya Airways, and was in Dakar for women's forum. Broadcast on RFI English on March 8, 2016

Speaking with Capt Koki on International Women's Day 2016

In April 2016 Dakar’s main hospital erected a dozen tents to deal with any future suspected or confirmed cases of Ebola.  In recent flare ups in neighbouring Guinea 8 of 9 cases that re-emerged have been fatal, and three cases are also under observation in Liberia. 
Senegal is preparing in case the disease crosses its borders. Broadcast on RFI (English) in April 2016. 


Dakar boosts anti-Ebola preparations

In early April the Senegalese government announced that it had agreed to welcome two Libyan ex-prisoners detained at Guantanamo Bay prison for 14 years that were released without trial or any charges, to resettle in Senegal.  The announcement was made on April 4 once the ex-detainees had already arrived.
Broadcast on Deutshe Welle's Africalink programme in April 2016

Senegal welcomes ex-detainees from Guantanamo Bay Prison

Elementerre is a Senegalese company that’s been invested in sustainable construction since 2010. Not only do they use locally sourced materials - the dusty red earth beneath our feet - but they've re-engineered the method of building with compressed earth bricks traditionally used in villages for generations.  Broadcast on RFI English in May 2016.

Building smart with compressed-earth bricks in Senegal

Millions of people live in Senegal’s capital Dakar. And like most West
African cities it has a lot of traffic. But schemes to decongest the roads are underway and plans to remove the blue and yellow minibuses known as ‘cars rapides’ are due to be taken off the roads by 2018. Broadcast by RFI English on 4 July 2016. 

Getting around in Dakar: Car rapides & everything else in between

The German cultural Centre the Goethe institute held the second annual game camp to offer free workshops and tutorials on creating video games. Aired on Deutsche Welle's Africalink(English)on 19 July 2016. 

Goethe Institut hosts Dakar Gamecamp

Living Planet: Senegal is plagued by erratic rainfall, food shortages and high unemployment. Many young people are forced to leave rural areas in search of employment. Now, a farming school is encouraging youth back into the fields to ensure a future generation of farmers and food.

This report was aired by Deutsche Welle on 12th August 2016.

Reframing farming: Senegal's organic future crop

Senegalese farmers have long used traditional techniques to read the weather and predict rainfall. Now, a new method has been developed: Sending science-based climate information by text message to help farmers boost yields.

This report was aired on Deutsche Welle's Living Planet on 10th June 2016.

Text messages on weather help farmers

Senegal based multi-media freelance journalist working in French and English for media worldwide


Emmanuelle Landais

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