$301 to $400

Location
Thiabedji, Region of Kedougou, Senegal

Community Description
Thiabedji is a village of approximately 1,200 people, located about 35 kilometers from Kedougou, the region's capital city. It is considered a center point for about 10 smaller villages nearby, making it quite diverse linguistically and culturally.

While Pular is the main language of Thiabedji, there is a fairly equal mixture of Pular, Malinke, and Bedik spoken in the surrounding villages.

Large-scale fruit farming has become popular in the area. However, there is a shortage of knowldege and experience in the planting and cultivation of fruit trees.

Thiabedji is the home of an ideal example of an orchard. The owner of the farm is an expert in local methods of tree care and orchard management, and has created a network of fruit-tree farmers in the area. The network will allow local tree farmers to come together for trainings and discussions.

Inside the orchard, there are about 60 mango trees of all sizes, about 20 banana plants, and many local fruit trees. It is the ideal site for a demonstration orchard for all those interested in starting or improving their own.

Last year locals from 8 different villages came to the orchard to learn how to graft mango trees. This year, in partnership with local development organizations, trainings in many other categories will be offered.

A year-round source of water is needed to make this fruit tree demonstration site effective in teaching orchard growing techniques to the communities.

Project Description
This project is to construct a well in the middle of the demonstration site. This will allow for trees to be watered all year around, a requirement for some of the technologies that will be taught and demonstrated.

The well will be dug by local diggers to a depth of about 10 meters and will have a cement lining. A manual rope pump will be installed to allow easy access to the water to allow mass watering. The well, being close to the village, will also be a source of water for those nearby.

Project Impact
This project will impact all of Thiabedji and the 10 villages that surround it, thereby helping hundreds of people through increased fruit production, and the resultant health benefits and economic stimulus.

Peace Corps Volunteer Directing Project
Sheila McAtee

Comments
A demonstration project has the ability to produce results far beyond the immediate effect of a small construction project. Villagers will be able to learn new techniques, apply them in their own orchards, and teach them to others in their communities.

Dollar Amount of Project
$450.00

Donations Collected to Date
$100.00

ADOPT THIS PROJECT BY CONTRIBUTING THE DOLLAR AMOUNT NEEDED BELOW

Donations of any amount will be appreciated. The full amount will give you "naming rights", if that is something you would like.

Any contributions in excess of the Dollar Amount of Project will be allocated to other projects directed by this PCV and/or projects of other PCVs in this country.

Dollar Amount Needed
$350.00

Location
La Laquish Alto, San Pablo, Cajamarca, Peru

Community Description
La Laquish Alto, which derives its name from a Quechuan word meaning "water," is a small community of approximately 130 families. Most community members work year-round in agriculture, producing peas, wheat, corn, and potatoes. La Laquish Alto is considered a zone of extreme poverty due to low economic activity, lack of educational opportunities, and health problems.

Of the 130 families, less than 40% report having a well-maintained latrine. As a result, diseases related to lack of hygienic conditions are endemic in the area, including intestinal parasites, malnutrition, and acute diarrheal diseases. Over 30% of children under the age of 10 have been diagnosed at least once with an intestinal parasite, and over 15% of young adults have been diagnosed with malnutrition-related to childhood parasites.

Project Description
This project is to build 10 latrines for participants in the community. The simple pit latrines will be hand dug, and ventilated by plastic PCV tubes. The base will be constructed of cement.

The families have chosen to build the latrine structures out of a wooden frame with walls of painted tin. This design is durable, cost-effective, and easily moved once the latrine is filled.

Project funds will be used to purchase the wood, cement, and tin to build the latrines. With the help of a carpenter, the 10 latrines will be built under the supervision of a community committee and PCV Samantha Kerr over the course of about a week.

All participating families will be trained in comprehensive health promotion, including nutrition, hygiene, improved stoves, latrines, and individual food production units.

Additionally, all families must plant a small family garden, build a small hand-washing station, designate a container with a lid for safe drinking water, and maintain a clean and organized kitchen before being certified as a "healthy family".

After 3 months, the committee will do follow-up visits to each of the houses to make sure the latrines are being properly used and maintained.

Project Impact
Directly benefiting from the project will be 10 families, comprised of 14 women, 12 men, and 25 children, for a total of 51 individuals.

Peace Corps Volunteer Directing Project
Samantha Kerr

Comments
This is a community-based solution to a major local health problem. Participation involves a substantial commitment to the improvement of the overall health of the family. Factors of sustainability are built into the project, and its successful completion will lead others to participate in similar community development projects in the future.

Dollar Amount of Project
$400.00

Donations Collected to Date
$0.00

ADOPT THIS PROJECT BY CONTRIBUTING THE DOLLAR AMOUNT NEEDED BELOW

Donations of any amount will be appreciated. The full amount will give you "naming rights", if that is something you would like.

Any contributions in excess of the Dollar Amount of Project will be allocated to other projects directed by this PCV and/or projects of other PCVs in this country.

Dollar Amount Needed
$400.00

Location
This project will be located at the primary school in the village of Kountanto in south central Senegal. Kountanto is 4 km from a paved road, 15 km from the nearest town, and 140 km from the regional capitol.

Community Description
Kountanto is comprised of about 400 peanut farmers of the Pulaar ethnic group. The people of Kountanto are well organized, hard working, and determined. Kountanto is the proud home of a health hut, mosque, and millet machine.

The people of Kountanto place an importance on education that is unparalleled by other villages in the area. In 2003, a primary school was founded in Kountanto. Since that time, the community has worked on improvements to the school.

There are currently 4 classes, with 3 teachers and 72 students from 3 villages. Three of these classrooms are made of mere millet-stalk.

Through much hard work and persistence by the people of the village, the Senegalese government agreed to build 2 permanent classrooms in Kountanto. Construction of these classrooms is underway, and is to be followed by a project to build 2 additional classrooms.

World Vision recently partnered with the village to complete construction of 2 latrines. However, the latrines are presently unsuitable for use, as there is no water available for cleaning or hand washing.

Project Description
This project is to construct a well to bring water to the primary school of Kountanto.

The well will provide a clean drinking water supply for the students and teachers. It will be used for the school lunch program, for cleaning the latrines and washing hands, and for future gardening projects.

Project Impact
This project will directly affect the 72 students and 3 teachers who currently do not have access to water for drinking or hand washing during the school day.

Indirect beneficiaries will be the 1,000 people of the 3 villages who use the school.

Peace Corps Volunteer Directing Project
Amber Patterson

Comments
This project brings potable water to a primary school. It complements the work that has been done to create classrooms, and makes the school functional and sanitary.

In addition, accessible water for the toilets will increase general health and sanitation for students and teachers. Students will learn about hygiene and sanitation, and bring that knowledge home to their families.

Dollar Amount of Project
$500.00

Donations Collected to Date
$100.00

ADOPT THIS PROJECT BY CONTRIBUTING THE DOLLAR AMOUNT NEEDED BELOW

Donations of any amount will be appreciated. The full amount will give you "naming rights", if that is something you would like.

Any contributions in excess of the Dollar Amount of Project will be allocated to other projects directed by this PCV and/or projects of other PCVs in this country.

Dollar Amount Needed
$400.00