Anta Mbow (born August 5, 1951) is a Senegalese woman who founded Empire des enfants to help exploited "street children" in Dakar known as Talibé. She objects to the term "street children," arguing that streets do not have children.[1]

Anta Mbow
BornAugust 5, 1951
NationalitySenegalese
Known forHelping the children of Dakar
SpouseDoudou Leyti Camara
ChildrenFour

Life

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Mbow was born in Dakar in a lower-class neighborhood.[2] She married a professional basketball player.[3] Together, the couple went to study in France in 1972, where Mbow lived for 30 years. After receiving her education, Mbow worked as a secretary before retraining for social work.

During a visit home she was distressed to see the homeless children of Dakar. After talking with her brother Babacar Mbow and a French diplomat named Valérie Schlumberger, a plan came together to repurpose and renovate the abandoned "Empire Cinema of Dakar" as a refuge for Talibé.[3][2]

Mbow returned to her home country in 2002 to help the street children of Dakar. In 2003, she created the association Empire des enfants. The charity helps boys aged between 5 and 13 who were living on the streets, facing abuse and exploitation, regardless of their ethnicity or religion.[2] After 15 years of operation, Mbow's organization moved to a new, fully funded, 13,000 square foot facility that accommodates both boys and girls. As of 2018, the organization has helped nearly 5,000 children.[4]

Awards

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Leral.net Woman of the Year 2016: Anta Mbow, the "mother Theresa" of children". Leral.net. 2016. Archived from the original on 2016-12-29. Retrieved 6 Feb 2020.
  2. ^ a b c "Anta Mbow • World of Children Protection Award". worldofchildren.org. Retrieved 2021-03-05.
  3. ^ a b "UNE GÉNÉREUSE COUVEUSE". SenePlus (in French). 2015-09-04. Retrieved 2020-02-06.
  4. ^ a b "Rencontre avec Anta Mbow, lauréate 2013 du prix spécial Women for change". www.fondationorange.com. Retrieved 2020-02-06.
  5. ^ "Anta Mbow • World of Children Protection Award". worldofchildren.org. Retrieved 2020-02-06.