This project is made possible through the partnership of WATER CHARITY and the NATIONAL PEACE CORPS ASSOCIATION. 
Location
Hamdalaye, Salemata District, Kedougou Region, Senegal
Community Description
Hamdalaye, a beautiful village of approximately 300 people, is located among the hills about 12 kilometers west of Salemata in the Kedougou Region of Senegal. The village has two community buildings: one elementary school and one mosque.
The villagers are all Pulaar, which is the dominant ethnic group in the region of Kedougou, though many Bassari villages are located close by and they frequently interact with each other. The villagers’ main source of income comes from farming corn, peanuts, and rice.
Though the land is very good for farming, malnutrition rates are high among children under 5 in the community and surrounding areas, which is of particular concern due to their isolated location and difficulty reaching distant health clinics.
Everyone in Hamdalaye is Muslim and is very strong in their faith and cultural values, with the family (very large ones at that!) being the core part of their social structure.
Problem Addressed
Hamdalaye has had serious problems with access to potable water. Despite the construction of two wells within the past ten years, one of which was poorly constructed and is beyond repair, the community’s lack of water has caused them to draw water from contaminated sources several kilometers away and has made it impossible for the women to participate in any gardening.
The inability to produce their own vegetables and fruits is of special concern, as the closest weekly market is in Salemata, which, if they make it there, has a generally poor selection of nutritious foods. This lack of potable water and nutritious foods has contributed to the high rates of malnutrition and diarrhea, especially in children under 5 in the village.
Project Description
This project is the repair of a well in the village.
This will restore the community’s access to potable water and the ability to garden, as the shortage of water currently prevents them from doing so.
The old pump and piping will be removed and replaced as necessary to bring the well to full functionality. The work will be performed by an experienced water pump technician, who has already identified the problem and will complete the work over the course of three days.
The village, which will provide essential materials, has also already started to repair the garden fence that once stood next to the well.
The President of the Hamdalaye Women’s Group has been organizing the villagers and conducting meetings, and will conduct training on pump use, maintenance, and repairs.
Project Impact
300 people will benefit from the project
Peace Corps Volunteer Directing Project
Lesa Young
Monitoring and Maintenance
The technician who is doing the renovation will return to provide maintenance and perform necessary repairs. The women’s group will supervise the use of the well.
Comments
After the work is completed, 40 women from the women’s group will participate in training and rebuilding the community garden.
As a result of this project, members of the community will have a safe and close water source, and will also be able to garden and provide much-needed nutritious foods for their families.
Fundraising Target
$1,450
Funds raised in excess of the project amount will be allocated to other projects in the country.
Donations Collected to Date
$55
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
$1,395
This project has been completed. To read about the conclusion of the project, CLICK HERE.
