SAMU social International is an organization founded in France in 1993 that provides emergency medical assistance and care to homeless populations. It expanded internationally in 1998. SAMU social in Dakar, Senegal focuses on providing care and transportation to shelters for homeless boys, who are a particular problem in Dakar. The shelter provides medical care, education, and aims to place boys in permanent homes when ready. Volunteers from the International School of Dakar visit the shelter to form bonds with the boys and plan activities like games, music, and art to help them feel accepted outside their normal culture. Consistency from volunteers is essential for maintaining relationships with the boys.

1. I S erve D akar

2. SAMU social International The name comes from SAMU ( service d'aide médicale urgente, "emergency medical assistance") The organization was founded in 1993 by Xavier Emanuelli in France, and expanded to international work in 1998. SAMU social is focused specifically on providing care and medical aid to homeless people. An important part of their service includes going into the places where homeless population live to better understand the conditions on the street and to provide transportation to a shelter for care. The ambulance that is used for this outreach is staffed with a doctor and a social worker.

3. SAMU social in Dakar Is located in Mammel in a house owned and operated by the organization.

4. The shelter provides all necessary services to homeless boys. Homeless boys is a particular problem in Dakar and it is the population on which the organization felt they could have the most impact.

5. The shelter is clean, spacious and well staffed 24 hours a day.

6. Simple, but nutritious meals are prepared in the shelter. The boys and the staff always eat together – Senegalese style – to enhance the feeling that this is a home.

7. SAMU social in Dakar makes sure the boys receive care for their medical, emotional, spiritual, and intellectual needs. Simple academic instruction is given, however, due to the trauma experienced in street life, an emphasis is placed on physical and emotional healing.

8. The shelter houses anywhere from 5 to 15 boys at any given time. About ½ of the boys return to the street after they’ve eaten and rested. The policy of SAMU social is that the boys stay only by choice. No one is forced to stay, but any who want to stay are cared for and placed in a more permanent home situation.

9. The focus of our work at SAMU social will be to plan activities with the boys living at the shelter and to constantly be there to form bonds with them.

10. Our planned activities can include games, musical performances, sports, and art. The main consideration is that the activities involve both ISD students and the boys living at the shelter. Our goal is to help them feel comfortable and accepted by people outside of their normal culture and to expand their vision of their lives.

12. These are the people for whom you may be the difference.

14. I S erve D akar