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Friday 25 April, 2025
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Ramadan Heroes: These volunteers who light up Dakar with their "Ndogous"

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Héros du Ramadan : Ces bénévoles qui illuminent Dakar avec leurs "Ndogous"

In the bustling streets of Dakar, as the sun sets and night falls, a scene warms the hearts. Men and women, young and old, busily offer "Ndogous"—meals to break the fast—to passersby. These generous gestures illustrate a solidarity deeply rooted in Senegalese culture, making this holy month a time when humanity shines on every street corner.

Every evening, Ousmane Cissé and his friends mobilize with contagious energy to organize these distributions. Calabash in hand, filled with coins and bills, Ousmane stands in front of a bustling shop, gratefully accepting each donation. "We know times are tough. That's why every coin, no matter how small, warms our hearts and helps us keep going," he confides, a smile lighting up his face. Meanwhile, his companions bustle enthusiastically: some filter Touba coffee with almost ritualistic precision, while others generously spread freshly baked bread. Around them, children, brimming with excitement, proudly lend a helping hand, delighted to be part of this chain of solidarity.

These initiatives take various forms: groups of neighbors raising money to cook large meals, organized associations, or even individuals acting spontaneously. Despite logistical challenges, such as rising food prices, their determination remains unwavering. Babacar Seck, a shopkeeper and loyal donor, is a striking example. "Contributing to these initiatives comes naturally to me, especially during Ramadan. Every year, I set aside a portion of my profits," he explains. This year, faced with inflation, he had to adjust his budget, but he persists: "Seeing families smile thanks to a hot meal gives deep meaning to fasting."

The beneficiaries, for their part, are full of praise for these outpourings of kindness. Moussa, a taxi driver, says: "Sometimes I finish late and don't have time to go home for ndogou. These free meals are a blessing. They remind me of the generosity that unites people during Ramadan." But Moussa doesn't just receive: with a few 100-franc coins in his pocket, he roams the streets, modestly depositing his contribution in the volunteers' calabashes. "Every gesture counts," he says simply, embodying the collective spirit that makes Dakar vibrate.

For Anta Ba, a single mother of three, these distributions are a breath of fresh air in a life marked by limited resources. "I don't always have enough to prepare a ndogou for my little ones," she confides, moved. "But thanks to these volunteers, I come home with a meal for them." Her eyes shining with gratitude, this forty-year-old sees these benefactors as "angels" who ease the burden on many families like hers.

As Ramadan progresses, these acts of solidarity continue to brighten Senegalese evenings, drawing admiration from locals and foreigners alike. Salamata Zongo, originally from Burkina Faso, has wholeheartedly joined this movement. Every day, she helps distribute ndogous. "It's an honor to participate. In Senegal, I learned that sharing transcends cultural and religious boundaries. Giving doesn't cost much, but it can change everything," she shares with a smile.

These everyday heroes, through their simple yet powerful gestures, remind us that Ramadan is much more than a month of fasting: it is a celebration of love, faith, and brotherhood. Through each shared bite, they forge unbreakable bonds, making Dakar a vibrant theater of solidarity and humanity.

Auteur: Sokhna Faty Isseu Samb
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Comments

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    Sankara il y a 1 mois

    Bel article ! C est assez rare pour le souligner

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    UN AFRICAIN QUI VIT AU SENEGAL il y a 1 mois

    Que le Tout Puissant bénisse tous ces jeunes hommes et femmes qui donnent la nourriture de rupture aux croyants qui jeunent. Que le Tout Puissant pardonne leurs péchés et leur accorde le paradis. S'ils sont dans la mauvaise guidance, donne leur la guidance et vers toi mon Dieu et accorde leur ton pardon. Que le Bon Dieu bénisse ce pays et tous ceux qui y vive et que la paix règne dans ce pays et tous les pays d'Afrique.

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    Défenseur il y a 1 mois

    Franchement, ils font du bon boulot

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    Sénégal MoMA nior il y a 1 mois

    Article très intéressant , félicitations

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    café gui il y a 1 mois

    le geste est très noble. Par contre je dénonce ceux qui se mettent au milieu de la route (wa niary tally surtout) pour quémander des pièces. c'est très risqué. En cette période ramadan, certains ndiayènes peuvent perdre facilement la maitrise du volant sous l'effet de la faim.

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    Baye Fall il y a 1 mois

    L'article aurait été parfait s'il rappelait fidèlement l'origine de cette action de solidarité vulgarisée par la communauté mouride. Il faut rendre à César ce qui appartient à César. Pour l'Histoire!

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    solidarité au Sénégal il y a 1 mois

    Geste généreux et désintéressé à saluer. Dieu les bénisse

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    Président il y a 1 mois

    Merci pour le bayfamlisme qui a instauré ça .

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    Maa il y a 1 mois

    Très bel article mais les vrais héros du ramadan sont les femmes au foyer.

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