Mariama Cissé Niasse leads efforts to reunite lost children at Gamou de Médina Baye

During the annual Gamou de Médina Baye religious gathering in Senegal, social workers coordinate efforts to protect and reunite children who become separated from their parents in the large crowds.

Mariama Cissé Niasse, coordinator of the Action éducative en milieu ouvert (AEMO) office in Kaolack, has been central to organizing the system used to welcome, identify, and reunify lost children with their families. This mission involves identification, psychological support, and active searches for parents.

In 2022, the Kaolack AEMO office processed 253 lost children, including 132 girls. Of those, 244 were successfully reunited with their families, while nine remained under search. The operation is a collective effort involving administrative authorities and various partner organizations, including Plan International, SOS, the Red Cross, and the YMCA.