Thiès, Senegal —On November 10, 2025, the Tostan Training Center in Thiès hosted the Day of Memory and Transmission “Démb, Tey ak Ëllëg” a phrase in Wolof meaning “Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow.” More than a simple expression of time, it reflects the way community wisdom moves beyond generations — how the lessons of the past continue to guide the present, and how today’s experiences prepare the ground for tomorrow’s leadership.
“Démb” honors those who first shaped the pathways of dialogue and collective learning. “Tey” celebrates the people carrying this work forward each day. “Ëllëg” looks toward the new generations who will inherit, enrich, and continue this shared journey. Together, they show that transformation is not linear but interwoven — built on memory, nurtured through shared learning, and renewed with each generation.
Facilitators at the Heart of Transformation
The first session focused on facilitators — those who work closest to communities, guiding learning and dialogue with care and respect.
Panelists included Mme Yè Korotoumou Diarra, a pioneer of community literacy in Mali and former supervisor at Tostan; Fatoumata Madina Baldé, a dedicated facilitator and supervisor from Guinea-Bissau known for her community-centered leadership; Mamadou Ndao, a young but deeply committed supervisor from Fourdou Baïla in Senegal; and Hon. Mahamadou Ceesay, a former facilitator in The Gambia and now Chairperson of the Basse Area Council.
Together, they emphasized a shared conviction: listening is the facilitator’s strongest tool. Listening to understand community histories, to learn from local wisdom, and to transmit knowledge with humility.
They also spoke candidly about the early days — moments when skepticism was high, when sensitive topics demanded patience, or when cultural debates required tact and neutrality. These challenges, they reflected, helped them grow as mediators and strengthened their relationships with communities.
Mobilizing Communities
The second session explored how communities mobilize around shared visions.
Panelists such as Doussou Sissao from Senegal — known for leading one of the earliest community marches promoting dignity and rights in Tambacounda — and Imam Abdoulaye Ba from Kolda — a religious leader trained in child-positive teachings — highlighted the importance of dialogue and trust.
From Guinea-Bissau, Aua Seidi Kane, an early champion for women’s wellbeing in Mansodé, shared how she built confidence among women and religious leaders to discuss issues that had long been considered taboo.
Their stories illustrated a clear insight: lasting change grows from within communities, through shared decision-making and collective commitment.
Education as a Driver of Transformation
The final session centered on the long-term impact of Tostan’s educational approach.
Mariama Bamba, a solar engineer from Soudiane who trained at Barefoot College in India, explained how participating in Tostan’s program opened pathways she had never imagined. Doussou Konaté, historic facilitator from Keur Simbara, reflected on decades spent accompanying community discussions across Senegal. Oumarou Haïdara, now mayor of Dinandougou in Mali, described how the program strengthened his leadership and deepened community participation in local governance.
Their experiences showed that education is not just about acquiring information — it nurtures confidence, broadens possibilities, and strengthens community leadership.
“Démb, Tey ak Ëllëg” — Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow
Across all panels, one message resonated: Tostan’s history is carried by people — those who built the foundations yesterday, those who sustain the work today, and those preparing to guide their communities tomorrow.
Key lessons emerged:
- the creativity and solidarity that shaped the earliest years must be preserved;
- generational exchange strengthens the movement;
cultural understanding remains essential; - facilitators continue to be the backbone of community-led development.