Maison de la Gare (MDG) is a non-denominational, non-political Senegalese registered non-governmental organization (NGO) founded in 2007 by a group of ten young Senegalese men and women united by a determination to improve the lives of the most vulnerable children and adults of Saint-Louis. MDG is fully vetted by Global Giving, and receives funding from individuals, various charities and foundations, as well The United Nations and The European Union Funds.

MDG offers the following free services to individuals living in poverty in Saint-Louis:

  • safe, temporary housing for homeless children
  • infirmary emergency health care and hygiene education
  • general education, including classes in French and English
  • organized sports for children, such as soccer and karate training
  • job skills training, including tailoring, vegetable, and poultry farming
  • microfinance, offered in partnership with Friends of Senegal, which includes business education and micro-loans to individuals and qualified groups to start their own businesses

The microfinance management team of MDG, from left to right:  Issa Kouyaté, Founder and President; Ndaraw Diop, Director of Micro Finance; Adama Diarra, Director of Accounting and Finance.

Issa Kouyaté: Founder and President, MDG. Named “Hero” by the U.S. State Department in the fight against child trafficking. 2001- 2003: Faculty of Social Sciences, Cheikh Anta Diop University, Dakar. Baccalauréat in Modern Literature, 1998. Baccalauréat in Economics, 1997. Speaks fluent Wolof (one of Senegal’s native languages), French, and English.

Ndaraw Diop: Director, Microfinance Program. Former Director of the Governmental program for aiding vulnerable children in Saint-Louis, Senegal. Masters Degree in Sociology, University Gaston Berger University, Saint-Louis. State Diploma in Specialized Education. Speaks fluent Wolof and French, some English.

Adama Diarra: Director of Accounting. Currently attending Gaston Berger University of Saint-Louis, Senegal, with studies in Management Economics. Certified in Accounting and Management, Aproxima, Saint-Louis, Senegal. Certified in Computer Science, Diougoh Peulh, Senegal. Licensed in Studies of Modern Literature, Cheikh Anta Diop University, Dakar, Senegal. Speaks fluent Wolof, French, working knowledge of English.

Rod LeRoy: President of the C. F. Johnston Foundation of Canada. Full time volunteer at MDG. Partner and advisor to the Microfinance Program. Technology Management Consultant. PhD, Chemistry, University of Toronto; MBA, Finance, McGill University. Fluent in English and French.