Since its founding in 2005, KEUR THIOSSANE L ORIGINE has been committed to a dynamic and evolving set of actions designed to strengthen solidarity between the Senegalese and Martinican populations, while welcoming and involving all individuals residing in Martinique. Our work is built on a foundation of cultural pride, mutual support, and civic responsibility. We believe in acting, not just speaking—and every initiative we undertake aims to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.
This page outlines the range of actions we have developed and continue to implement, grounded in our mission to build bridges through culture, social support, and shared values.
1. Cultural Preservation and Promotion
Culture is at the heart of everything we do. As an association rooted in both Senegalese and Caribbean traditions, we celebrate the richness of our dual heritage and share it with as many people as possible.
Our Cultural Actions Include:
- Organizing traditional celebrations (Tabaski, Independence Day, Saint-Louis Festival) with music, dance, food, and storytelling.
- Hosting community cooking workshops, where participants learn how to prepare Senegalese and Martinican dishes and share culinary traditions across generations.
- Organizing fashion shows and handicraft exhibitions, highlighting the beauty of Senegalese fabrics, jewelry, and artisanal craftsmanship.
- Promoting oral traditions through storytelling events, poetry readings, and memory-sharing circles involving elders and youth.
- Facilitating intercultural exchange events with other communities living in Martinique.
These cultural moments are more than entertainment. They are affirmations of identity, spaces of recognition, and powerful tools for fighting prejudice and isolation.
2. Social Support and Solidarity
Many members of the Senegalese diaspora in Martinique face significant challenges—from housing and employment issues to administrative barriers and social isolation. Our association has become a key support system for those who need help navigating life in a new environment.
We Offer:
- Orientation services for newly arrived individuals or families, including help with finding housing, understanding local services, and handling legal documents.
- Emergency aid for individuals facing hardship, including food packages, basic supplies, and occasional financial support when resources allow.
- Community visits to vulnerable individuals, especially seniors or people living alone, to provide company, conversation, and emotional support.
- Collaborative drives with local associations and churches to distribute clothes, school supplies, or hygiene products during seasonal campaigns.
Our goal is to ensure that no one feels alone or abandoned—and that everyone has the chance to live with dignity.
3. Educational and Intergenerational Programs
Education is essential for empowerment, especially in diasporic and multicultural communities. KEUR THIOSSANE L ORIGINE focuses on sharing knowledge, preserving intergenerational links, and equipping both youth and adults with tools for growth.
Our Educational Actions Include:
- Language workshops, including Wolof and French literacy support for children and adults.
- After-school tutoring and academic help for youth facing language or integration difficulties.
- Civic education sessions, explaining rights and responsibilities in Martinican society.
- Intergenerational dialogue sessions, where elders and youth exchange life experiences and traditional knowledge.
- Art and history workshops focusing on African and Caribbean heritage, resistance movements, and diasporic identity.
These programs build confidence, strengthen families, and ensure that our community’s wisdom is not lost.
4. Community Events and Festivals
Nothing brings people together like shared celebration. Our community events are designed not only to showcase culture but to create safe, welcoming spaces where Senegalese, Martinican, and all residents can meet, laugh, eat, and learn together.
Some Events We Regularly Organize:
- Annual Cultural Week blending performances, lectures, music, and food tastings.
- Storytelling Nights featuring griots and oral historians.
- Music and Dance Evenings, including sabar, mbalax, zouk, and gwo-ka styles.
- Film screenings followed by community discussions about migration, identity, and history.
- Children’s Day, where the youngest community members are celebrated with games, songs, and storytelling.
These events often attract people from all backgrounds and age groups and help change perceptions through joyful, authentic encounters.
5. Women’s Empowerment and Family Programs
We place special emphasis on empowering women—many of whom carry the emotional and logistical weight of migration and adaptation.
Some of Our Actions Include:
- Workshops for mothers on navigating the healthcare and school systems in Martinique.
- Support groups for women dealing with social or domestic challenges.
- Skill-sharing sessions on sewing, hairdressing, and entrepreneurship.
- Health information campaigns on topics such as prenatal care, nutrition, and mental health.
We believe that when women are strong and informed, families and communities thrive.
6. Advocacy and Representation
Our work also includes advocacy. As a community rooted in multiple cultures, we often speak out on issues related to immigration, racism, housing inequality, and access to services.
Our Advocacy Actions:
- Representing our community in local meetings, forums, and consultations.
- Writing letters and petitions to local and regional authorities to defend the rights and visibility of Senegalese and African populations.
- Partnering with local organizations to raise awareness on common issues such as discrimination, social exclusion, and economic justice.
- Creating spaces for community voices to be heard and taken seriously by public institutions.
While we are non-partisan, we are not silent. Advocacy is part of our duty.
7. Building Future Projects
We are always looking forward. Some of the new projects we are working on include:
- Creating a cultural heritage archive with oral interviews, photographs, and community stories.
- Establishing a permanent cultural center to house our events, workshops, and services year-round.
- Expanding our educational programs to include digital skills, entrepreneurship, and multilingual training.
- Creating mentorship networks for young people navigating school and work transitions.
Every action we take builds toward a future where diversity is celebrated, and solidarity is standard.
Conclusion: A Legacy in Motion
The actions of KEUR THIOSSANE L ORIGINE are rooted in compassion, memory, and the unwavering belief that cultural pride and community care can change lives. Every event, every conversation, every shared meal matters.
We are proud of what we’ve built—and we know there is still so much more to do. But with every new hand that joins us, every new idea that comes through our door, and every voice that echoes our values, we grow stronger.
We invite you to take part in this journey, whether as a participant, supporter, or friend. Our story is ongoing, and you are welcome to help write the next chapter.
For more information or to join us, please write to contact@ktlo.space or come visit us at 40 AVENUE DES CANEFICIERS, 97200 FORT-DE-FRANCE.