Anta Mbow

After 30 years of living in Europe, Mbow returned to her home country in 2002 determined to help the street children of Dakar. In 2003 she created the association Empire des enfants. The charity helped boys aged between 5 and 13 who were living on the streets and facing abuse and exploitation. In time they helped 3,500 boys supplying them with education a place to stay and access to sports. She objects to the term "street children" arguing that streets do not have children. Many of the thousands of children in Dakar are sent there by their parents as Talibe. They believe that they will receive an education in religious schools but the teachers exploit them and give them begging quotas. Children who fail to gain their target are starved and punished and sexual exploitation is commonplace. Much of this is well known but many will not speak about it. Mbow does.

Mbow was born in Dakar. She married a professional basketball player. They went to study in France in 1972 and when she finished she worked as a secretary. Eventually she retrained for social work.

Anta Mbow (born August 5, 1951) is a Senegalese who founded Empire des enfants to help "street children" in Dakar. Their teachers exploit them and children who fail to achieve their begging targets are punished. Sexual exploitation is commonplace, but many will not speak about it. Mbow does