The Washington Post has an article and photo essay today that simply ought to be read in full.  There is also a Kickstarter for Mario Cruz’s photo book documenting the slavery and abuses at this Islamic school, entitled Talibes: Modern Day Slaves.

A Talib is a student in an Islamic school, and the word is the root of the name of the Taliban.  The original core of that terrorist organization was a band of students from Islamic schools in Afghanistan and Pakistan.  The schools in Senegal take children from their families, sometimes on the condition that the children may not see their parents until they are adults.  The abuse of talibes in Africa has been well documented by such organizations as Human Rights Watch and UNICEF.  There is physical abuse, sexual abuse, and forced labor.

Cruz found three shackled children, each with a foot encircled by a snug chain that was bolted to the ground. Each had about 10 steps of slack, which was just enough for the children to access the bathroom — a wooden compartment with a hole in the ground.

As Cruz set to work photographing them, the children were at first calm and relaxed. But then five or six older talibes noticed and panicked. The chained children became agitated too and tried to bolt but could only move so far.

Go and see the pictures.  Read the rest of the Post’s story about the trip and what Cruz found.