* Any views expressed in this opinion piece are those of the author and not of Thomson Reuters Foundation.
Their excitement is palpable. Women and young people are busy organising chairs and mats that will serve as seats for spectators. Scores of children are milling about in anticipation. The atmosphere is party-like with spontaneous sessions of song and dance as more than 300 people in the village of Bayti Rip, eagerly await a special and rare occasion.
The excitement in the village, about 220 kilometres from Dakar, is over the screening of films by the child-centred development organisation Plan International.
Plan in Senegal has developed an innovative project called “Cinébus”. It involves a 4x4 converted into mobile cinema that travels to remote villages in rural Senegal every week and screens educational films on themes such as health, nutrition and early childhood care and development.
It is past sunset and Bayti Rip is covered in darkness. There is no electricity here, as is the case in almost 90% of villages in the administrative region of Louga. The darkness, however, soon gives way to light and bright colours as images begin to be projected on a large screen hung to the side of Cinébus parked in an open field in the village.
Besides raising awareness, the Cinébus also provides an opportunity for the communities to come together and have fun, given the fact that is no power, TV or any other form of modern entertainment in many regions. Scenes of youth, children, parents and grandparents dancing together at the Cinébus screenings are common. It also attracts scores of people from neighbouring villages who often walk long distances to watch the cinema.
Screenings are followed by discussions and quizzes where prizes can be won. The activity measures and ensures that the community understands the key messages and information conveyed through the films. The discussions also allow local Plan community workers to respond to questions.
People watch the films attentively and examples of how the films are influencing people’s attitudes and behaviours are evident. "The films are very helpful. They entertain us, but we also learn a lot about children’s education, health and well-being.” says, Aida Sarr, a mother in Bayti Rip.
"Previously, we didn’t really understand, for instance, the need to send our young children to playgroup. We would normally leave them at home, but since we saw a film about early childhood care and development and the discussions we had among ourselves and with Plan staff, our attitudes have changed, says Palla Mbengue, a community volunteer.
Senegal suffers from poor enrolment of children in education, particularly in pre-primary. According to UNICEF, in 2011 the gross enrolment ratio was 14 % for girls and 12 % for boys. “The Cinébus is part of Plan’s Integrated Development Project for Early Childhood (PDIPE) to advocate for and raise awareness on children’s development among communities where illiteracy is high and children are traditionally not sent to school,” says PDIPE Coordinator in Louga Mohamed Gueye.
Under the PDIPE project, a facility was built by Plan in Bayti Rip which welcomes all children from 2 to 5 years from the local community. Women volunteers from the village work here and care for children throughout the day. The children are fed and engaged in various learning and play activities.
According to UNICEF, in 2011 around 27 % of children in Senegal between 0 and 5 years were moderately or severely stunted. “A key element of informing and organising communities is to address issues like this,” says Mohamed.
"All mothers in the village contribute 100 Francs CFA monthly towards the Centre (US ${esc.dollar}0.2). With this money, plus the millet and beans that we get from our fields, we cook healthy meals using local ingredients for the children who come to the Centre. Our children are now healthier and are supervised throughout the day by volunteers at the facility." says Awa, a young mother.
"All parents are now able go about their daily livelihood activities without requiring to send their children to grandparents or take them along in the fields where they would be under the hot sun,” she adds.
“The Cinébus arouses curiosity and emotions from people wherever it travels. However, our activities with communities are not limited to screenings and discussions. We support them to put into practice what they see in the film.” says Daouda Diop, Coordinator of the Cinébus in Plan Senegal.
To date, the Cinébus has held screenings in over 135 villages across Senegal and has raised awareness among more than 5500 people.
“People in Bayti Rip and in villages visited by the Cinébus feel lucky and special, since there are almost no cinemas in entire Senegal; even in its capital Dakar. Through Cinébus, Plan provides communities a combination of knowledge and entertainment to undergo behaviour change for the welfare of children,” adds Daouda.
It’s well past midnight in Bayti Rip and the screening has just finished. Happy locals return to their huts. Comments, bursts of laughter can be heard from afar. A few stay on and watch the Cinébus being packed. The speakers, generator, spotlights, and cables - all are loaded back into the vehicle one by one. Tomorrow, the Cinébus will head for another destination to bring joy and knowledge to a new community.
(Florence Cisse is Regional Media Specialist, West Africa Region for child rights and community development organisation Plan International)
