Rural-to-Urban Migration in Senegal: How We Support Families in Mbour

Since 2015, Moms Against Poverty has been working in Mbour, Senegal, a rapidly growing coastal city south of Dakar. The population boom in Mbour is a direct result of rural-to-urban migration in Senegal, as families leave arid farmland behind in search of economic opportunities in fishing, tourism, and construction.

Senegal is part of the Sahel region, where climate change has made farming increasingly difficult. With fewer opportunities in rural villages, millions have moved to urban centers, causing overcrowding in cities and overwhelming essential services like education, healthcare, and employment.

Challenges of Urbanization in Senegal: The Strain on Schools & Resources

Mbour’s population has exploded from 70,000 in 2000 to nearly 700,000 today. This dramatic increase has strained local schools, making it difficult for children from migrant families to access education. Many newly arrived families settle in disadvantaged neighborhoods with few resources, leaving children vulnerable to poverty, malnutrition, and lack of schooling.

Moms Against Poverty is actively addressing these issues by providing:

• A preschool at Medine Extension for young children from migrant families
• Food aid during the COVID-19 crisis for the neediest families, distributing over 400 essential food packages
• Orphan care support through Maison Sourire d’Enfants, offering food, milk, and drinking water for children who have no family nearby
• Job opportunities for migrant workers, including school and orphanage construction projects that train workers in valuable trades

Education for Migrant Children in Senegal: Why It Matters

One of the biggest challenges facing families affected by rural-to-urban migration in Senegal is ensuring their children receive an education. Many children in Mbour come from rural areas where schools were scarce or families were too poor to send them to school. Without intervention, these children face a future of poverty and limited job opportunities.

By expanding early childhood education programs and providing vocational training for older youth, Moms Against Poverty is helping migrant children integrate into urban life while preparing them for future employment.

How You Can Support Education & Relief for Migrant Families in Senegal

As Mbour continues to grow, Moms Against Poverty remains committed to ensuring that new and existing residents have access to education, food, and economic opportunities. Your support can help build sustainable communities for Senegal’s most vulnerable families.

Donate Now to support education, orphan care, and food aid for migrant families in Mbour.