March – May 2025

Dear Supporters of the West African Calligraphy Institute,

We are happy to announce significant progress in the long-coming construction of the physical Calligraphy Institute in Sangalkam, Ndiakhirate, Senegal. Thanks to acquisitions in 2023, fundraising in 2024, and a significant anonymous donation in 2025 we were able to finally begin the construction of the first floor of the Institute. Starting in March of this year we refortified the existing foundations of the building and start building upwards.

By April 2025 the walls of the building were up, and the basic layout of the classrooms, bathrooms, and kitchen began to take shape. The building was blessed and prayed in, and we made arrangements for the installation of the Septic system, connecting the walls, and making fortifications for the pouring of the ceiling.

Finally, by May we were able to also pay for the pouring of the ceiling of the first level/floor of the second level. This is called “coulee” in Senegal, and was very exciting for us to see because we can begin to imagine what the classrooms, studio, and other rooms will be like. Additionally, with the ceiling completed we can also begin to imagine what the second floor can be.

To date, the foundation work, structural masonry, and concrete casting have all been completed. The only work remaining is the finishing phase.

The finishing works include:

• Plastering;
• Electrical installation;
• Plumbing;
• Floor and wall tiling;
• Installation of doors and windows;
• Painting;
• As well as all other necessary finishing works.

Alhumdulilah, jerejef Serigne Touba, and great thanks to all of our friends and supporters who helped us to make it this far. Please let us know if you would like to contribute or help in any way, and, inshallah, we will be able to start teaching classes and hosting guests very soon!