This project is part of our 52 Pumps in 52 Weeks Program, being implemented by Peace Corps Volunteers Marcie Todd and Garrison Harward. To read about the program and follow its progress, CLICK HERE.
Location
Massarinko, Fatick, Senegal
Community Description
Massarinko is a small agricultural village of 416 people located just north of the Gambia and 9 k west of Karang. This unique community lies at a crossroads of both country and ethnicity and is therefore very diverse.
The majority of people are Mandinkan but there are also sizable Serere and Wolof populations and even a few Pulaar families. This means that on any given day one could hear 6 different languages walking through town (that includes Senegal’s national language of French, and English because of us PCVs). 
Most of the village’s income comes from farming peanuts, millet, and rice, which are both subsistence and cash crops. A secondary source of income which the village is looking to expand is herding cattle.
There is currently a small basin next to the well where most of the village’s cattle come to drink. The basin is often completely dry as it is hand filled with water pulled from the well. This means that the cattle often don’t have enough to drink.
In Senegal, the dry season is hard on everyone, but it is especially difficult for livestock. The main road from Sokone to Kaolack is littered with carcasses of cows and sheep that didn’t make it through the hard times.
Project Description
The goal of this project is to install a rope pump on the well to ease the difficulty of filling this basin, while also helping the women of the village to more easily pull water for standard household needs such as cooking, bathing, and washing clothes.
Project Impact
While Massarinko has a total of 6 wells, the majority of the households pull water from this one because it is centrally located right next to the Mosque. As a result, about 150 people will benefit from this pump, along with around 40 cattle and many more sheep and goats. In reality though if the pump allows the village to support increased cattle production then the impact will be much greater as everyone will benefit from increased income and nutrition.
Peace Corps Volunteer Directing Project
Garrison Harward & Will Leborgne
Comments
This project brings in a new focus of caring for the animals upon which the villagers depend for their existence.
This week, because of the popularity of this program, we are instituting a “waiting list”. If a project is adopted before you have a chance to contribute your $100, just donate now, and you will get the next one in order.
Dollar Amount of Project
$100.00
Donations Collected to Date
$100.00
Dollar Amount Needed
$0.00 – This project has now been fully funded through the generosity of Leah Gilmore, of San Jose, CA, USA.
If you now contribute $100, your name will be placed on the waiting list to adopt the next project in order.
If you wish to contribute less than $100, the money will be applied toward the overall program. Go to the 52 Pumps in 52 Weeks Program – Senegal page and click on the general Donate button there.
This project has been finished. To read about the conclusion of the project, CLICK HERE.