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
Dantaxoune, Fatick, Senegal
Community Description
Dantaxoune is a small village outside of Sokone, which is home to the only primary school for 4 villages. There were, as of 2009, 99 female students and 94 male students.
The school is special in its function, as it also acts as an economic center. They raise chickens and buy millet when the price is low to sell when the price is high. This builds a sense in the students and parents alike that going to school will lead to economic success.
In 2008 Association Sine Salome installed a very large steel pump that could work for adults with large muscles, but the primary students had a hard time turning the wheel. They also installed fencing and a water basin for a school garden to increase the school’s economic potential.
In 2009 Peace Corps Volunteer Jessica O’Haren was contacted to help the school with tree pepinaires and at the end of her service, she introduced Joey Johnston, the current volunteer, to Thiam and Diouff.
Thiam teaches Arabic, Diouff teaches French, and they both have a passion for the success of the school garden. Teachers in Senegal, as in many places, are not paid adequately and supplies for school are nil.
The money made from the garden, along with the other agricultural economic activities, helps to supplement the costs of materials and payments to the teachers. The garden also provides supplements to the school’s lunch plan, instituted by the World Food Program, which feeds kids that come from the further villages.
When Joey came to help, he quickly realized the lack of water was hindering their economic success and possible yields in the garden. The garden was almost exclusively growing okra and bissap. Okra and bissap are like tomatoes and basil in the United States; everyone grows them.
Last school season they started working on a more varied veggie garden, but had a hard time watering it. They are now, pulling water from a well without a pulley located 30 meters away, which is similarly as hard as the massive steel pump for the smaller students. Also, it is preventing the students from wanting to water every day, leaving the plants water starved.
Project Description
This project is to build and install a rope pump for the school in Dantaxoune.
Project Impact
193 students will benefit from the project.
Peace Corps Volunteer Directing Project
Garrison Harward, Marcie Todd and Joey Johnston
Comments
The installation of the water pump will alleviate many of the water issues and make caring for the garden much easier. In turn, it will provide the school food program with more supplemental food as well as money for materials and teacher-pay.
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 Tristan Harward, of Cambridge, MA, 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.
This project has been finished. To read about the conclusion of the project, CLICK HERE.