This project has been completed under the direction of Returned Peace Corps Volunteer (RPCV) and Peace Corps Response Volunteer (PCRV) Laura Coberly. To read about the beginning of the project, CLICK HERE.
This project was to participate in and expand upon a mangrove reforestation project in the village of Sipo.
The anticipated impact was to decrease erosion, improve the waterways, and reduce contamination of the water resources.
Laura reports:
Reforestation took place in the villages of: Sipo, Ndorong Log, and Guague Bocar.
Total Senegalese participants: 128
Total amount of Avicennia planted: Approximately 4,800
Total amount of Rhizophora planted: Up to 350,000 (it was quoted that there are 10,000 propagules per sac)
The village of Sipo: Water Charity funding purchased 35 bags of Rhizophora propagules (37 were budgeted, but only 35 were available for purchase at the time of reforestation), and a Peace Corps SPA grant purchased 85 bags of propagules.
Peace Corps Volunteers and staff, and forty host county nationals participated in the reforestation day. The planting began around 8:00 am and lasted until approximately 2:00 pm. Men, women and teenagers were very active in planting and it was a highly successful day.
I negotiated the price per bag of propagules for the Water Charity funding after being quoted 7,000cfa by a local PCV, and a better price was established. Because of this reduction in price, the remaining Water Charity Funds were used to fund reforestation activities in the villages of Ndorong Log and Guague Bocar.
The village of Guague Bocar: Water Charity funding purchased over 2,400 Avicennia transplants for the September 14th Guague Bocar reforestation. This species was selected for this area because salinity is a major problem in this section of the Sine-Saloum Delta, and Avicennia can tolerate salinity better than Rhizophora.
Sixteen female and thirty-five male Senegalese Nationals participated in the reforestation (52 people in total including me). Participants included people from the villages of Guague Bocar, Guague Mode, Foundiougne and Mbam. Men, women, children and teenagers were very active in planting and it was a highly successful day.
The village of Ndorong Log: Water Charity funding purchased an additional 2,400 Avicennia transplants for the September 15th Ndorong Log reforestation. Both Rhizophora and Avicennia grow in this area. Avicennia was chosen in order to diversify the newly reforested species, and to ensure survival as it is nearing the end of the reforestation season, where water salinity is bound to escalate.
Fourteen male and twenty-three female Senegalese Nationals participated in the reforestation (38 people in total including me). Participants included people from the villages of Ndorong Log, Foundiougne and Mbam. Men, women, children and teenagers were very active in planting and it was a highly successful day.
Water Charity is extremely grateful to Laura for completing this outstanding project, achieving more than was anticipated, and accomplishing the desired results. It demonstrates the impact that RPCVs and PCRVs can have in the development process. It shows how collaboration with the Peace Corps, other organizations, and host nationals can multiply the impact, leading to truly meaningful change.
We are grateful to all who have donated to date, but want to extend our personal thanks to RPCVs Katherine Mario and Mary Pavelka. We are still accepting donations.
