Orchid Project is delighted to have identified our first delivery partner, Tostan. Tostan is based in Dakar, Senegal and delivers a human rights-based community empowerment programme.
Tostan currently works in 6 West African countries, Senegal, Burkina Faso, The Gambia, Guinea Bissau, Mali, Mauritania and in the eastern African countries of Somalia and Djibouti.
Tostan’s work has enabled over 5,300 communities to choose to abandon FGC, equipping them with the knowledge that the practice no longer serves their communities and is unnecessary. Tostan’s human rights model takes over two years to deliver, and is delivered by local staff working in local languages.
Orchid’s founder, Julia, visited Tostan in January and February 2011 and witnessed incredible scenes of communities in the Gambia announcing their decision to end female genital cutting. Tostan’s work fits perfectly with Orchid’s vision and mission. Tostan is delivering social change, one community at a time, in a sustainable way
