Location
Diara Pont, Kedougou, Senegal
Community Description
Diara Pont is a small rural community 75 km east of Kedougou in southeastern Senegal. Over the three sectors of the community (Bow Pella, Diara Pont, and Gure Lingere), there are between 35 and 40 compounds, with about 200 people.
The vast majority of residents are farmers, with a few men who participate in selling of goods at the local weekly market, as there is no local boutique. The primary crops grown are corn, peanuts, and cotton.
The community does not have electricity. The majority of women participate in the local women’s group through gardening and health meetings.
There is a single two-room primary school in the village, with college aged kids traveling 5 km to Salemeta.
Diara Pont has a well, scheduled to be finished before the rainy season, in addition to two forages. There is a seasonal river that people from Gure Lingere use for water.
Over half of the compounds have a latrine. The majority of the people who do not have one have expressed a desire to have one.
Project Description
This project is to construct 15 latrines, each in a separate compound, in Diara Pont. The project will result in everyone in the community having access to a latrine.
The project will proceed according to the following timeline:
- Week 1: Hole digging (by individuals in compounds receiving latrines)
- Week 2: Transport materials (concrete, rebar, critin)
- Week 3: Construction & monitoring (latrines & critin fences)
- Week 4: Continue construction & monitoring, as well as conduct hygiene workshops.
Each compound receiving a latrine will be responsible for digging the hole.
Each latrine will be dug 1 m by 1 m. Local conditions allow them to safely remain unlined. Each will have a concrete top constructed by local masons who were trained last year in this technique. 15 trained masons have volunteered their services to do the construction.
Privacy fences will be constructed of critin, a woven bamboo that is used commonly for fences in the area.
Water Charity funds will be used to purchase materials, including concrete, rebar, and bamboo fencing sheets, and for the transport of materials.
After construction, a meeting regarding sanitation and the importance of washing hands after using the latrine will be held.
Project Impact
Approximately 75 people will benefit from this project.
Peace Corps Volunteer Directing Project
Jackie Allen
Comments
This project will impact upon the environment as well as the personal health of the villagers. The nearby river, where children play, women do laundry and bathe, and some families get water, will be kept from contamination.
Dollar Amount of Project
$555.00
Donations Collected to Date
$555.00
Dollar Amount Needed
$0.00 – This project has been fully funded through the generosity of The Soneva SLOW LIFE Trust as a part of their Clean Water Projects initiative.
We encourage others to continue to donate using the Donate button below, and we will notify Peace Corps Volunteer Jackie Allen of your donation. Additional funds will be used to fund the next project by Jackie and/or those of other PCVs in the country of service.
This project has been finished. To read about the conclusion of the project, CLICK HERE.