Visual health and education: Distingo and the Senegal Solidarity Foundation distribute 8,000 quality school kits

The Senegal Solidarity Foundation, in collaboration with the Senegalese Paper Mill (MSP SA), distributed school kits on September 7th at the Sato Eisaku School in Nord Foire. For the Almadies Education and Training Inspectorate (IEF) district, 2,000 kits were distributed out of a total of 8,000 planned nationwide. Beyond the donation itself, this initiative represents a commitment and an act of courage to promote local expertise, as emphasized by the CEO of the Distingo paper mill.

​

Quality, a matter of health

For Mohamed Djibril Ndiogou Kabongo, CEO of MSP, a textbook is not simply a product: it is an educational and health tool. According to him, the lack of oversight of imported notebooks is very dangerous for children, as they present numerous health risks. "Many countries manufacture notebooks using recycled paper, which is unsuitable for textbooks because it emits odors due to its chemical treatment, which can even be toxic and is strongly discouraged for our children in the classroom," he explains. Furthermore, in Senegal, the standard requires a paper weight of 60 grams, compared to 48 grams for newsprint. However, the market is flooded with imported notebooks of unguaranteed weight and with a whiteness level below 90%. "When a child concentrates for six hours a day on paper that bleeds through, it eventually causes eye strain," the industrialist warns.

Local jobs are threatened.

Behind every locally made notebook are 300 to 500 Senegalese jobs, support for workshops, and young engineers trained on site. "Today, everyone imports... If last year's stock isn't sold, we're forced to reduce staff and freeze investments," he laments, denouncing unfair competition from opportunists who import without paying VAT or other charges, in contrast to a local factory that fulfills all its obligations.

The local content symbol

For the head of Distingo, the Presidency's decision to source locally is therefore significant. It sends a strong signal to safeguard an industry that invested, even during the pandemic, and that exported within the sub-region, now threatened by massive imports. It proves that local content can be both socially responsible and of impeccable quality.

The message to parents

The educational aspect is not forgotten, and the CEO himself emphasizes this, spending time with the students during these distribution days. He recalls, with emotion, children's words that give his work its full meaning: "We put Gorée Island on our covers," he explains. "One student told me, 'I saw Gorée on my notebook and I asked my mom to take me there.' Another confided that he had learned a lot about President Léopold Sédar Senghor thanks to his notebook cover."

More than just a writing surface, the notebook becomes a first book, a catalyst for awareness. This observation is shared by Constantin Samuel Badji, sales manager and parent, who makes a heartfelt appeal: “I ask parents to be more responsible. A notebook is not something to be taken lightly. That is what passing on knowledge is all about.” He concludes by addressing local councils and donors: “Get in touch with Distingo.”

We can make personalized notebooks for you. It's a choice for our children's future, and to save them from having to see an ophthalmologist tomorrow.