The OWEN Project: Ramata Sarr

 

Our first recipient, Ramata Sarr, mother of two, will succeed in her business, I am sure.  Very smart,  work in banking, organized, charming, clearly hard working, answering all the hard questions with honesty, including caveats for potential stumbling blocks along the way. 

I also realize, now having reviewed about 30 applications, that women like Ramata interest me.  Women in rural areas are supported by organizations like Kiva or Vision Fund.  Women who sell fabrics, dishes, what-have-you from their living rooms also don't interest me.  

From a larger perspective,  an American or European has to struggle with the fact that it is the governments who fail their people, and as charitable organizations/individuals, white people (largely) come in to help them.  I focus on helping women start businesses, not provide food aid (except during the pandemic, I did help, knowing the situation was very dire).  Senegal was a French colony, and the structure of the constitution, schools, roads were built by the French.  The Senegalese government has now built a national highway (beautiful) and has the largest solar installation in West Africa.  The people have to play a role as well, which would include driving with some semblance of order, arriving on time..anywhere.  The level of chaos is crazy.