HOW A FLORIDA BASED CONSULTING firm IS EMPOWERING A VILLAGE IN SENEGAL

BY LAURY GEORGES-LANE

 

During a visit to Dakar, Senegal, in November 2023, Laury Georges-Lane, a woman from the African diaspora, saw a clear opportunity to create lasting impact. After adopting the small village of Sipane in the Thies Region, which is home to approximately 400 residents, including 175 primary school-aged children, she made a strong commitment to improving the local school and supporting the broader community. The village’s six-building educational compound, which was in dire need of repair with chipped paint and damaged roofs, became her top priority.

In January 2024, Georges-Lane, through one of her companies LGL Consulting and Executive Advisory Group – International, launched a renovation project for the elementary school, partnering with village leaders, strategic business partners, and a local construction team. The significance of education for the future of the community was a driving force behind the project.

As work on the school continued, LGL Consulting’s representatives regularly visited Sipane, delivering essential supplies such as poultry, grains, and other provisions to further support the villagers. By August 2024, the fully renovated school was unveiled, marking a major milestone for the community. In recognition of her efforts, the residents of Sipane bestowed the honor of naming Georges-Lane the “Godmother” of the village.

Through her consultancy, Georges-Lane laid the foundation for a long-term philanthropic initiative. Aligned with LGL Consulting’s mission and corporate social responsibility model, this three-pronged initiative was designed to bring lasting change to Sipane. Focused on Education, Reducing Food Insecurity, and Workforce Development and Training for Village Women, with the latter set to launch in the first quarter of 2025.

The initiative aims to achieve meaningful outcomes by improving literacy, fostering social engagement, and increasing educational achievement; reducing food insecurities to enhance health, alleviate poverty, and promote food self-sufficiency for families; and empowering village women through workforce development, reducing gender inequality, and strengthening both families and communities.

These interconnected efforts are critical for building a sustainable and equitable future for Sipane, with the confirmed hope that their success will extend to surrounding communities as well.

Philanthropy is at the core of Georges-Lane’s work and identity. She is an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., an organization focused on serving the Black community around the globe. In addition to her work in Senegal, Georges-Lane mentors young women and supports local communities through program sponsorships, educational scholarships, and civic partnerships. The Village of Sipane, known for its resilience, is committed to using both voice and action to uplift its people.