This project is made possible through the partnership of WATER CHARITY and the NATIONAL PEACE CORPS ASSOCIATION. 
Location
Habibou, Region Kedougou, Senegal
Community Description
The community of Habibou consists of approximately 250 people and is located to the west of the regional capital Kedougou. It is a Muslim community, with the village centered around the Mosque. It lacks electricity and running water.
As a rural village, work primarily consists of farming. When the rainy season arrives, farmers will grow corn, peanuts, beans, and rice for future consumption and also sell in the local markets.
During the dry season, women work in the garden and men build furniture using a local palm species. Women enjoy growing cabbage, salad, eggplant, bitter tomato, and okra when gardening. Most of the produce is for consumption; however, they are able to sell a little at the nearest market. The men make chairs, tables, dressers, and beds that they sell in the regional city of Kedougou. For the men who don’t build furniture, they travel to Kedougou in search of work.
Well over half the population is under 18 and a majority of these kids are going to either elementary, middle school or high school. Habibou does seem to value the importance of education and regularly encourages kids to continue studying. Habibou has an elementary school located in the village but the kids going to middle school and high school, must travel 12km by bike to the town of Bandafasi to study.
Problem Addressed
With over 250 people in the village, only 9 working latrines are available. The lack of latrines causes sanitation and health problems throughout the village.
Kids frequently go into the woods, behind compound fences, and behind trees to relieve themselves. Along with the lack of latrines, proper hand-washing is non-existent, leading to frequent illness.
Project Description
The objective of this project is to construct a new latrine for each of the 12 families in the community.
Each latrine will be a ventilated pit latrine Design, with PCV piping connecting the toilet area to the pit. The construction of each latrine will start with the digging of a 1-meter x 1-meter x 2-meter pit by the individual families.
Gravel and sand will be used for the cement mixture, and wood beams will be used for structural integrity. Other items to purchase and transport will include PVC piping, wire, and toilet pans.
A local mason will work to construct and close of the latrines using the materials bought by the village.
Water Charity funds will be used to purchase the materials and to pay for the mason’s wages. The village will provide locally available materials, and pay for the transport of the materials brought from Kedougou.
The project is expected to be completed in a month.
Project Impact
100 people will benefit from the project.
Peace Corps Volunteer Directing Project
John Alcorn
Monitoring and Maintenance
Training in building skills and capacity will be provided by the PCV, his work partner, and other PCVs. These will include proper handwashing practices, latrine maintenance, and good sanitation practices. Through this training, the goal is to change unsanitary behaviors within the community and sensitize community members to such information. With more knowledge regarding the topic of sanitation, community members will lead to healthier and more informed lives.
A mural will be painted and, soap making and hand washing training will be conducted at the local primary school. Children have the greatest capacity for behavior change, the leading factor behind targeting the primary school for sanitation training.
Fundraising Target
$1,200
Funds raised in excess of the project amount will be allocated to other projects in the country.
Donations Collected to Date
$0
ADOPT THIS PROJECT BY CONTRIBUTING THE DOLLAR AMOUNT OF THE PROJECT
Donations of any amount will be appreciated. The full amount will give you “naming rights” if that is something you would like.
Dollar Amount Needed
$1,200
