Location
Badion, Arrondisment of Fafacourou, Department of Medina Yero Foula, Region of Kolda, Senegal
Community Description
Badion is a rural village of about 520 people. The population is almost entirely farmers. Corn, millet, okra, cotton and peanuts are the major crops grown.
There is a weekly market every Sunday attended by villages as far away as the border of The Gambia, which is about 30 km away.
There is a kindergarten, primary school and a middle school. The health post includes a separate maternity ward powered by solar panels and has the only water tower in the entire village, the use of which is exclusive to the health post.
The middle school in Badion is the oldest in the area – established in 2009 – but has no well, no latrines, and is currently a collection of bamboo structures. It is situated fairly distant from the village center in the middle of a field that, during the rainy season, is home to a crop of corn.
There are 230 students, representing 33 villages – some over 10km away – who attend the school. 7 teachers and the director round out the staff.
Without a water supply, the students and teachers must bring their own water from their homes, and if they run out, the nearest well is a five-minute walk in each direction. Add in the time it takes to pull the water from the well and a student – usually a girl – loses 15-20 minutes of class time.
Project Description
This project is to build a well at the school.
The teachers and the president of the Parent’s Association (Association des Parents d’eleves) found and negotiated with a well digger who will begin work the first week of April.
The well will be 25 meters deep and lined at least for the first two meters, with further lining to be decided upon once the digging commences and the quality of the earth (rock vs. sand) can be determined.
A cement wall will be placed at the surface, as well as a ‘clean area’ cement slab platform around the wall.
A standard pulley system will be installed. It will consist of posts on either side of the well with a cross beam over the top. A basic metal pulley that can be bought at the weekly market will be attached to the cross beam by either rope or chain. Enough rope to reach the bottom of the well and a bucket will be the form of retrieval.
The water will not be totally potable without some treatment. All teachers and the director of the school have agreed to teach on the importance of treating the water with bleach and cloth filtering and lead this practice by example.
All materials, including cement, gravel, and the pulley system, as well as labor and transport, will be paid for with funds from Water Charity.
Placing a cover on the well is projected for a future project to ensure that the water remains free of debris.
Several teachers have expressed their intention to include hygiene lessons, including handwashing, in their curriculum.
Project Impact
All 230 students and 7 staff members will benefit from the well.
Peace Corps Volunteer Directing Project
Christine Smith
Comments
This is an important and cost-effective infrastructure project which will improve the health and well-being of the students and staff.
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 friends and family of Peace Corps Volunteer Christine Smith.
We encourage others to continue to donate using the Donate button below, and we will notify Christine of your donation. Additional funds will be used to fund the next project by Christine and/or those of other PCVs in the country of service.
This project was concluded when it became impractical to implement. Funds were allocated to other Senegal projects.