The Fonis are south of the river Gambia and part of The Gambia’s West Coast Region north of and bordering the Casamance region of Senegal. Many refugees live in the Fonis, following historical cross-border patterns of human mobility. The refugee community, variable in size but generally in the thousands, is long-standing and very largely “self-settled” with kin or other social connections.
For communities along the border and beyond, informal trade is normalized and quite visible. It is a livelihood and money-saving activity for many people. llegal timber exploitation in the Fonis has recently brought Casamance and The Gambia to international attention amid concerns over poorly-regulated global trade networks and the deteriorating planetary environment. If water were readily available to the people of the Fonis, they would be able to make a living by way of trade, husbandry, or subsistence farming. Residents of the Fonis would not be forced to turn to illegal or informal trade, nor deforestation of the Casamance region of Senegal.
Batendeng Kajara (Coordinates: -16.317, 13.257) Estimated Population: 350
We will replace the bearings and the cylinder, install 7 stainless pipes, a new chain, rod couplings, and construct a new concrete water trough and handwashing station.
Batabut Danelu (Coordinates: -16.153, 13.194) Estimated population: 300
We will replace the cylinder and install 2 stainless steel pipes. We will re-dig, de-water, and sanitize the well. We will then build a new concrete water trough and a COVID-19 prevention-related handwashing station.
Sitta (Coordinates: -16.161, 13.234) Estimated Population: 300
We will re-dig, de-water, and sanitize the well; we will install 2 stainless steel pipes and construct a new concrete slab, a new concrete water trough, plus a handwashing station.
Jakoi Sibrick (Coordinates: -16.291, 13.268) Estimated population: 550
For the twin handpumps on the village’s well, we will replace the 2 cylinders and the 2 conversion heads, the rod couplings, the bearings and the axel. We will construct a new concrete water trough, plus a handwashing station.
Gilansary Village (Coordinates: -16.137, 13.167) Estimated population: 400
We will replace the well’s cylinder and the conversion head. We will add extra ground concrete. We will rebuild the covering concrete slab, construct a new concrete water trough, plus a handwashing station.
Bulan’jorr (Coordinates: -16.250 13.278) Estimated population: 400
We will replace the cylinder and the conversion head. We will add extra ground concrete around the well. We will construct a concrete water trough, plus a handwashing station.
Sitanouggo (Coordinates: -16.131, 13.184) Estimated Population: 600
We will replace the well cylinder and install 4 stainless steel pipes. We will construct a new concrete water trough for watering ruminants, plus a handwashing station.
Buram (Coordinates: -16.224, 13.258) Estimated Population: 200
We will begin by dewatering and sanitizing the well. We will replace the 2 cylinders, as well as the bearings and axle, on the twin handpump. We will add extra ground concrete to the base, as well as construct a new trough for animals and a handwashing station.
NB: All these projects include cost for hand washing station in each community as part of Water Charity’s efforts in fighting Covid-19.
To read details about the conclusion of the project, CLICK HERE. To read details about the Foni Bintang Karenai District Rehab Tour – Phase -2, CLICK HERE.