We are very fortunate to have a dedicated and passionate team on the ground in Senegal, working every day to build resilient, thriving communities. We think this team is pretty amazing and are sure you will agree. This is the first in a series introducing the people that make it all possible. (Click here to see others in the series.)
It’s fitting to start with our very first staff member, Boubou Sy (pronounced Boo-boo See), who has a long history with Andando (even before we were officially formed)!
Boubou has been working with Andando in some capacity for over 15 years.
Born and raised in Senegal’s capital city of Dakar, Boubou was a bright young boy who excelled in school and continued on to university to become a teacher.
Andando’s founders, Kevin and Fiona Kiker, first met Boubou while he was a university student volunteering at a center for refugees from Sierra Leone and Liberia. That was 20 years ago! Boubou’s passion for helping others made them fast friends. They stayed in touch over the years, and the Kikers made a point to visit Boubou each time they returned to Senegal.
Boubou in his first classroom at the school in Keur Soce. He is now a teacher at the Ousmane Sembene High School in Dakar.
After graduating Boubou found a position in Keur Soce (some 130 miles away from Dakar). When he wasn’t busy teaching or grading papers, Boubou would spend time with local business owners and leaders. These relationships provided the initial foundation on which Andando was formed. Boubou volunteered part-time with Andando by coordinating our first microloan program. He was a one-man-show: interviewing potential recipients, vetting their business plan, distributing funds, making routine checkups, and collecting the loan payments for redistribution.
Boubou with Scott Kelley marking the location for water pipes to be installed in Keur Soce, 2008.
Slowly these projects grew. As more donations came in, water pipes were laid, wells were dug, and over time Boubou, and Andando, became known and trusted in the community. In 2007, Boubou was hired as Andando’s Country Director.
Boubou understands the importance of building strong relationships with members of the community. He takes time to meet with local officials to build and maintain trust and collaboration with Andando. Here he is pictured with the Deputy Governor and community leaders, along with Andando Program Director, Camara; and Executive Director, Lewis Kiker.
While in Keur Soce Boubou met his future wife, Amy Marone, and when his teaching term concluded they moved back to Dakar and started a family.
Boubou and Amy at their wedding in 2009, (Pictured left to right: Fiona Kiker, Crystal Kelley, Amy Marone, Boubou Sy, Scott Kelley, and Carrie Hazelton.)
Boubou and Amy have four children (names and pictures below), who are fortunate to have both parents as teachers: Boubou high school, and Amy junior high.
Boubou and Amy with their four children: their son, Ibrahima, and daughters Youmaissy, and twins Hawa Élisabeth Steady, and Aissatou Fiona Kiker.
Your support enables our staff to help their fellow citizens. We are excited and honored to introduce you to more of our team and share their hope for the future with you. Thank you for your support!