Location
Diakhaba, Kedougou Region, Senegal
Community Description
Diakhaba is a village of around 1,300 people, primarily made up of Malinkes, founded in the 1970s. Other smaller villages have gathered around since the construction of the paved road. While there are a few small boutiques, most villagers work in the fields, where peanuts, corn, and millet are grown.
There is a primary school, health post, and mosque. The Primary School of Diakhaba is the only school in the village. The school sits on the main road that runs from Kedougou, the regional capital, to Mali.
Some family compounds in Diakhaba have wells, but there is no water source at the school, which causes disruptions and unsanitary conditions during the school day.
The school is in desperate need of a water supply. As it is now, the students and teachers have to walk long distances for water for drinking and sanitation purposes.
Project Description
This project is to build a well for the school.
There are three buildings used for classrooms, roughly situated in a square, with another building used as the director’s office behind the western-most building. The well will be built between this building and director’s office.
The Hydraulic Services of Kedougou will dig the 4-foot diameter well by hand, to a depth of about 15 feet, and then line it with bricks made on site.
An above-ground lip around the well will be built, with a cemented area around the well for runoff. A metal top will be used to cover the well when not in use.
A pulley and rope system will be used to extract water from the well. The water will be used for drinking and cooking school lunches, with plans to use it for gardening in the near future.
Water Charity funds will be used to purchase the materials, including cement and rebar, and pay for the labor and transport of materials.
The members of the community will provide the sand and gravel. They will also build a walled enclosure and school garden, which will be used for demonstrations as well as to supplement school lunches with healthy vegetables.
Project Impact
400 students and teachers will benefit from the project.
Peace Corps Volunteer Directing Project
Chrissie Faupel
Comments
This is an important project to provide water for the needs of the school. It will vastly improve the health and wellbeing of the students and teachers.
Dollar Amount of Project
$500.00
Donations Collected to Date
$425.00
Dollar Amount Needed
$75.00 – This project has received major funding through the generosity of the Elmo Foundation, with the expectation of additional donations from the 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 successfully completed. To read about its conclusion, CLICK HERE.