Location
Diouly Ker Mor, Kaffrine, Senegal
Community Description
Diouly Ker Mor lies 32 km southwest of the city of Kaffrine, in the Peanut Basin of Senegal. It is a small agrarian village with 11 households (9 of the Wolof cultural group while the other two are Pulaar du Nord), and between 180 and 250 inhabitants, depending on the time of year.
Both groups practice Islam and the village has a small mosque. The village is surrounded by protected forests and a seasonal flooding pattern which is part of the river Bao Balon that flows into the neighboring country of The Gambia
The village is populated by primarily subsistence farmers who partake in some market gardening activities as well. The primary staple crops grown and consumed are peanuts, millet, and corn.
The village has very little infrastructure, with no school, roads, or electricity. There are, however, 3 spigots connected to a local forage, so a reliable water source is available.
Currently, no household in the village has a working pit latrine which effectively prevents fecal borne disease. Diarrhea-related illness is a constant contributor to low adolescent body weight and malnutrition.
The Peace Corps has conducted a training on how to be community educators on the subjects of preventative health, hygiene, and latrine maintenance. This has resulted in village-wide discussions and house-to-house visits on the importance of hand washing with soap and the dangers of improper/lack of latrine usage.
There exists a country-wide USAID-sponsored latrine construction initiative aiming to ensure that latrines are available in all rural communities.
Project Description
This project is to build 15 high-quality latrines in Diouly Ker Mor.
As a part of the country-wide initiative for latrine construction, at least one will be built in each household and two in households with over 20 members (there are some with up to 40 members so 2 latrines are necessary).
The program requires a $30 payment per latrine. These latrines are much higher quality than would be constructed for the same price otherwise. They will be concrete-lined, double-pit, long-term latrines with hand washing stations.
Water Charity funds will be used for materials and labor to build the latrines.
After construction, families will be trained in proper maintenance, and cleaning practices of these double pit latrines to make this construction intervention as effective and long-lasting as possible.
Project Impact
250 people will benefit from the project, of which 150 are under 16 years of age.
Peace Corps Volunteer Directing Project
Lorraine Perricone – Dazzo
Comments
This project helps to keeping the waterway, a source of agricultural irrigation and recreation that extends to The Gambia, free of contamination.
Since the village has already received ample outreach on how and why the usage and maintenance of these latrines is highly important, and local community educators have been trained, this project will be highly effective in disease prevention in the village.
The project demonstrates the importance of cooperation between government agencies and nonprofits in bringing about essential infrastructure projects.
Dollar Amount of Project
$555.00
Donations Collected to Date
$430.00
Dollar Amount Needed
$125.00 – This project has received major funding through the generosity of the Elmo Foundation, with the expectation of additional donations from friends, family, and supporters of the Peace Corps Volunteer.
We encourage others to continue to donate using the Donate button below, and we will notify the Peace Corps Volunteer of your donation. Additional funds will be used to fund the next project by the PCV 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.