'Talibe' is a Wolof word meaning 'follower' or 'disciple'. In Mauritania under the Talibe system, village boys, sometimes as young as 4 years old, are sent by their families to study the Qur'an with a marabout, a folk Islamic teacher. In return for a basic education of the Qur'an and minimal board and lodging, the boys are required to make a daily contribution to the marabout. The boys must earn this money themselves by begging on the streets or from house to house, selling small items in the market or theft. Thus the boys spend much of their lives on the streets. There are estimated to be as many as 1,000 Talibe boys roaming the streets of the capital Nouakchott.

The 'Talibe Boys' Project is currently operating 2 centres in the city and more than 100 boys are involved in the programs. Here the boys are shown love in action. They are given nutritious meals, a place to shower and some clothes. Twenty five of the boys are sponsored to go to local schools. There are also opportunities given in the centres for literacy classes teaching Pulaar, one of the local languages. Most of the boys cannot read or write and these literacy classes have helped many of them become literate. The older boys are also taught vocational skills in carpentry, hairdressing and tailoring to provide life skills. Several boys have gone on to apprenticeships with local craftsmen. Fun activities that all boys enjoy are also found in the centres. Football and art and craft classes are attended enthusiastically!

Our project demonstrates to the Talibe boys that they are loved and their lives have value. With opportunities of education and vocational skills these boys can have hope in the future. The project also gives the centre staff opportunity to have regular contact with the Marabouts, and to visit the boys' home villages and have contact with their parents, helping us to understand the conditions and beliefs that undergird the Talibe system. Through such visits, we are able to help people envision transformation, and to fight the poverty that allows such a system to persist.