The Story Behind DLD Teen Hope
Dolly Lamarque Duc, a dedicated nurse at the local dispensary in Cité La Cure, recognized a pressing issue in her community. Many young girls who failed their C.P.E. exams were unable to access secondary education, leaving them without a path forward. Her compassion and determination to make a difference planted the seeds of DLD Teen Hope.
During that time, Dr. Reshad Abdool, one of the founders of the Teen Hope project in La Plaine Verte, was also working at the dispensary. Inspired by Dolly’s vision, he helped connect her with the Noyau Social Group of Cité La Cure, whose members mapped out the community, identifying unschooled children by taking responsibility for two to three streets each.
Initially focused on young girls, the school expanded in 2001 to welcome boys, especially those whose families could not afford transportation to the Centre Idrice Goomany. Over the years, DLD Teen Hope has grown to serve adolescents from Cité La Cure and neighboring areas, providing them with a three-year program designed to rebuild confidence, foster skills, and prepare them for the future.
In 2016, DLD Teen Hope proudly celebrated 20 years of empowering youth through education and support. Dolly’s legacy continues to inspire, transforming lives and creating opportunities for the underserved in our community.