In 1990, Judy Beggs closed down her law practice after 16 years, joined the Peace Corps and was sent to Guéoul, a scrappy little Sénégalese village perched out there on the edge of the Sahara Desert, hanging on for dear life. When she returned, she came back with Sénégal in her blood and heart. She kept in contact with the people of Guéoul, and eventually, a couple of the village girls became "Judy's girls." She sent money each year to keep them in school. She also brought Abdou N'Dir, a boy from Guéoul, to the United States for his education.

In January 2005, she and Abdou (now in graduate school at the University of Denver) returned for a month, along with a couple of friends, John Montaña and Clare Donnelly. During a conversation with them, Mbaye Samb, a local teacher, explained the difficulties that poor girls had in finishing their education. Their needs were simple, he said - money for books and school fees, a decent set of clothes, some money for food - about a hundred dollars. A couple of conversations later the Friends of Guéoul was born, with the mission of giving scholarships to the disadvantaged girls and orphalins (orphans) of Guéoul. Friends of Guéoul, Inc., is now incorporated and is an IRS designated 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The key to the program's administrative success is Mbaye Samb, the teacher. He was born and lives in Guéoul and provides oversight, liaison and financial management.

In 2005, the first 14 girls were named. Each year since, twelve first graders are added each year. Forty four girls are now supported and twelve more will be added in 2008 - 09 Each year at scholarship time, a town crier is sent all throughout the village, announcing that the next day at 4 p.m., the scholarships will be distributed. The crowd that gathers is so huge that the school rooms can't hold them. They now assemble in the town square. In February 2008, over a thousand people observed the scholarship ceremony, which was broadcast on national television and radio. The girls wore traditional dress. African drums and dancers started off the ceremony. Every significant community leader spoke of the importance of educating girls - this is a cultural shift of enormous significance.

One by one, the girls came to the front of the crowd, and the scholarship money was handed to the girl to symbolize that they are being honored. Most wonderfully, each year Mbaye has been able to arrange to capture the ceremony on videotape!

Meanwhile, back in Denver, the word is getting around. Rotary International has asked for a presentation to one of their chapters, and they may collaborate financially. Similar presentations have been made to other Chapters in the Denver area. A private Foundation established in memory of a deceased daughter has adopted the twelve 2006 first-graders and intends to provide the scholarships to them all the way through high school. Another donor adopted a class for a year "In honor of my mother who was not allowed to go to school". A leading accounting firm has donated 25 computers, and a computer classroom will be established to connect the students to the world.

This program is capturing the hearts of contributors because these are named children. In February 2008, Judy visited all of the girls in their homes and in their classrooms. We have pictures of them at home and in school, we have pictures of their families, we know their grades. A tutoring program has been established to assure their academic success. The personal connection and sense of family is especially endearing.

One supporter said: "Your cause will have an immediate and positive effect! We believe projects such as yours - that are narrow in focus and reasonably assigned - are the best way to accomplish real humanitarian works. There is no global aim, just a village. We send our great admiration and hope to you and your group!"