Location
Segou, Kedougou Region, Senegal
Community Description
Segou is in the region of Kedougou in the southeast corner of Senegal, 10 km from the Guinea border. It is a border post for people entering Senegal from Guinea.
Segou is a village of 1,000 people of the Fulbe ethnic group. It is located about 25 km from the regional capital, Kedougou.
Nearly all residents work in the area of agriculture. Presently, there is a severe shortage of latrines, less than ten for the town. Most people urinate in fenced-off areas behind their houses and walk to the woods to defecate. Children often defecate near the house, in the yard. When available, people do use latrines.
The latrine shortage is exacerbated by the number of travelers passing through. Border police estimate that more than 500 people enter Senegal via Segou, per week. The most common form of transport is a large truck that carries 60-80 people. There is one toilet available at the post, but because time is limited during crossings, most are forced to find a nearby spot to relieve themselves.
Project Description
This project is to construct 10 latrines in the village and two at the border post at the edge of town.
The project will be implemented under the direction of the Segou Women’s Group and the Senegal Border Police
Ten families will be chosen to receive a latrine based on distance from existing latrines, and will share with their neighbors, as is custom.
Each family will dig a 1.5 m square pit. The border post will dig two larger capacity 2 m square pits.
Cement, rebar, and wire will be transported in from Kedougou.
Privacy fencing is locally available and will be purchased from a producer in Segou.
A local mason will be paid for his work in capping the 12 latrines.
Water Charity funds will cover the costs of materials and the mason labor.
Families will contribute by digging their own pits, obtaining the sand and gravel, which is locally available, and building their own privacy fences.
Each family that receives a latrine will be trained in latrine maintenance and handwashing importance.
Project Impact
300 people, consisting of an estimated 30 people in the immediate area around each of the 10 latrines, will benefit from the personal latrines.
In addition, the 500 travelers crossing the border each week will have better access to latrines while waiting for the process to enter Senegal.
All community members will benefit from increased sanitation because the waste of the travelers will be contained within the latrines.
Peace Corps Volunteer Directing Project
Kyle DeBoy
Comments
This is an excellent project that not only addresses a sanitation problem that directly affects the villagers and their environment, but also assists a governmental entity to address the health problems caused by inadequate facilities for the use of arriving immigrants.
Dollar Amount of Project
$555
Donations Collected to Date
$555
Dollar Amount Needed
$0 – This project has been funded through the generosity of the Elmo Foundation, with help from friends and family of Peace Corps Volunteer Kyle DeBoy.
We encourage others to continue to donate using the Donate button below, and we will notify Kyle of your donation. Additional funds will be used to fund the next project by Kyle 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.