Molly Melching / Tostan

Molly Melching in the founder of Tostan meaning (Breakthorough in wolof-native language of Senegal). The Non-Governmental Organisation’s mission is to empower African communities for sustainable development and social transformation in the respect of human rights and abandonment of female genital cutting (FGM) and child/forced marriage in Senegal, Guinea and Burkina Faso. To date, 2,996 communities have abandoned FGC in Senegal through a public declaration, in Guinea, 298 communities have declared, and 20 have declared in Burkina Faso.

Awards Molly has received are:
1999 University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
2002 Sargeant Shriver Distinguished Award for Humanitarian Service
2007 One’s World Person

She has written a children’s book called Anniko which was published by the (NEA) New African Editions.

In November 1976, she joined thePeace Corps on an individual placement to continue developing and publishing books for Senegalese children tailored to their culture and environment. To accomplish this, Molly created the "Demb ak Tey" (Yesterday and Today) Center, which opened in the African Cultural Center, and served street children in the most populated area of Daka. Using songs, stories, proverbs, theater and other oral African traditions, Molly and her Senegalese team promoted children's literature pertaining to West African culture. Seeing the popularity of traditional African stories and their potential as a vehicle for education, Molly began a weekly radio program in Wolof, a major national language of Senegal. By including messages on health and the environment, the radio program reached thousands of families with relevant information for improving their lives.

In collaboration with community members, she and her Senegalese team developed a basic, nonformal education program for rural populations based on their traditions and culture. This program, funded by USAID, was so successful that many other NGOs soon adopted it.

Molly began collaborating with UNICEF /Senegal in 1988 to improve and expand this nonformal education program to other languages and regions of Senegal. Recognizing women’s crucial role within their own communities as well as the whole of Senegalese society, Molly took note of these women’s distinctive need for literacy training and other kinds of basic education. With UNICEF’s support, the program was extended to thousands of women throughout the country and was also adapted for at-risk, out-of-school adolescents using a basic life skills approach.

I Admire Molly for her courage to take on such a sensitive issue in Africa where some traditional practices were thought never to be eradicated. It is a great achievement and accomplishment she has undertaken. And for her to promote awareness of this issue that is hardly spoken about in today’s society.