Location
Goundaga and Lengewal, Kolda Region, Senegal
Community Description
The villages of Goundaga and Lengewal (population 350 and 300 respectively) are located in the Kolda region of Senegal. The villages are comprised of mostly farmers whose fields look onto the seasonal river nearby.
The children of the villages study either at the school in Goundaga or in the larger town of Kunkane about five kilometers away.
As you walk through the villages, you can’t help but notice the large expanse of trees and agroforestry techniques adopted by the villagers, evidence of previous Peace Corps volunteers in the area. It is clear the people of these villages are hard workers and know-how to best use volunteers to their advantage.
Problem Addressed
Sanitation within Goundaga and Lewngewal is lacking significantly. The few latrines in these villages have filled up, requiring people to go to the fields or forest to relieve themselves.
A common problem seen is allowing young children to relieve themselves in the middle of the compound because the alternative of taking them far away is too much work. People often neglect washing their hands because it is not readily available after they relieve themselves.
Project Description
This project will bring 15 latrines to individual households in Goundaga and Lewngewal.
Water Charity funds will pay for materials, including cement and rebar, and the labor of skilled masons. The masons will be employed within the village to build the latrine heads. In the process they will gain knowledge and experience, and pass the technique on to villagers, allowing for the continued proliferation of latrines in the area.
The beneficiaries will do the unskilled labor, including the digging of the holes. They will also gather their own sand and gravel to be mixed with the cement, as well as transport the cement and rebar at their own cost.
In addition to the latrine construction, the Peace Corps volunteers, along with their health worker counterpart, will conduct a series of sanitation training, including washing with soap, water sanitation, and the construction of Bidon Handwashing Stations.
Project Impact
650 people will benefit from the project.
Peace Corps Volunteer Directing Project
Stephanie McAlexander
Monitoring and Maintenance
At the project’s completion, the Peace Corps volunteer will ensure each latrine has been built accordingly and that people are implementing proper sanitation practices.
Over the long term, the community health worker will report to the Peace Corps volunteer about latrine quality and sanitation within the community.
Comments
This is an important infrastructure project, with sustainability built in to provide for the maintenance and expansion of model concepts.
Dollar Amount of Project
$482.65
Donations Collected to Date
$482.65
Dollar Amount Needed
$0.00 – This project has been fully funded through the generosity of The Holistic Light, of Hudson, FL, USA.
This project has been completed. To read about the conclusion, CLICK HERE.
We encourage others to continue to donate using the Donate button below, and we will notify Peace Corps Volunteer Stephanie McAlexander of your donation. Additional funds will be applied to the Senegal Country Fund to be used for current and future projects in the country of service.
