An Amazing Project in Diannah: Hawa’s English School

🌍 Learning English, Building Futures: Hawa’s English School in Diannah

Tucked away in the beautiful Casamance region of southern Senegal, in a village called Diannah, something really special is happening.

At the heart of it is Diannah English Language School — often known locally as Hawa’s English School — a grassroots, community-run project bringing English language learning to local children who would otherwise have very limited access to it.

👩🏽‍🏫 Meet Hawa – The Driving Force Behind the School

The school is led by Hawa Louise Touray, a passionate and determined teacher who founded the project herself. This isn’t a big organisation with layers of administration — it’s a hands-on, locally driven initiative, built from the ground up to meet the needs of the community.

Hawa teaches the children directly, often supported by local helpers, and brings an infectious energy into the classroom. Lessons are lively, interactive and full of enthusiasm — with songs, games and group activities playing a big part in keeping pupils engaged and confident.

Hawa says that she runs the project to give the children a break from the sometimes harsh realities of life in a village in West Africa.

📚 Why English Matters Here

In Senegal, and particularly in rural areas like Diannah, English can open doors. While French is the main language of education, English is increasingly important for:

• future education and training
• employment opportunities
• tourism and community enterprise
• connecting with the wider world

By learning English at a young age, the children at Diannah are gaining skills that can genuinely shape their future opportunities.

🏫 A True Community School

On busy days, the school has welcomed around 60–65 children, all eager to learn. Beyond lessons, also employs local girls to support in the school. This school has real community bebefits.

It’s not about fancy buildings or expensive resources — it’s about commitment, creativity and care.

💛 A Project Close to Our Hearts

At Building Futures in The Gambia, we have a huge amount of respect for projects like this. Hawa’s English School mirrors so much of what we believe in:

• local leadership
• practical education
• community ownership
• and making a real difference with very limited resources

It’s another brilliant example of how one determined person, supported by their community, can change lives. Enjoy the video!