The Gambia

Community Description
Basse Santa Su is located in the Upper River Region of the Gambia, which is the furthest region from the capital city of Bangul. Although Basse is a regional capital, it has taken many years for the inhabitants to see the development of their city. However, within the last 10 or 15 years, the residents have seen the construction of hospitals, schools, and markets, and various NGOs have posted their offices in Basse.

The city of Basse has over 15,000 people and the residents are mostly from the Fula tribe. Farming is the primary source of income, but there are also a good number of educated people who work for government offices and various NGOs.

Basse is also home of the regional governor’s office and its roads are used by Senegalese and Guinean truckers to transport goods throughout West Africa.

About five years ago the Basse Health Center opened a facility where anyone can be tested for HIV/AIDS virus free of charge. They also provide voluntary counseling for those being tested and provide at-home care for those who are living with the virus. They have recently started a support society for people who are HIV-positive in which they educate them about nutrition, medication and stigmas.

Three years ago, the hospital, in association with a local NGO, built a support center where patients can come and stay when they are receiving treatment at the health center. The house has been completed but the group members and staff are in need of proper latrines.

Presently, two poorly dug holes in the back of the house are relied upon for sanitation. However, they are not reinforced or supported, and the holes began to cave in during a heavy rainfall that occurred 2 months ago.

Project Description
This project is to build a latrine at the support center. The structure will contain two stalls, plus showering facilities. Construction will be of concrete.

Project funds will be used to pay the diggers and purchase cement, corrugate, sand, and gravel.

The structure will be built by male members of the support who will be donating their labor.

The project will be carried out under the direction of the staff of the Kebajara Support Society.

Project Impact
This project will benefit over 400 people.

Peace Corps Volunteer Directing Project
Elizabeth Thompson

Comments
A well-constructed latrine will ensure a safe and sanitary place that patients and staff will be able to use for their daily functions. A hygienic facility is especially important to HIV/AIDS patients whose immune systems are already compromised.

This is the third Appropriate Projects project to be carried out by PCV Elizabeth Thompson, the first two being the Kuwonku Well Project – The Gambia and the Darsilami Mandinka Pump Project – The Gambia.

Dollar Amount of Project
$450.00

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
$450.00

Community Description
The village of Ndungu Kebbeh is located in the district of Jokadu in the North Bank Region of The Gambia.

The project is located in a neighborhood on the outskirts of the village center. Physically it is separated from the larger community by two school properties: the Koranic school and the "English" school.

There are 12 compounds in the area, currently housing about 170 persons. All the compounds are clustered together in an area bordered on one side by the school's grounds and on the other by the millet and groundnut fields.

Currently the people are drawing water from an open well in one of the compounds. They have only infrequent and irregular access to taps when the schools are open.

Project Description
This project is to make water available to the people living in the compounds by running piping from the school water supply to a conveniently accessible location.

The system will begin with piping to a location outside the school fence, with water accessed from a single tap. However, it will be built with expansion in mind, so that when additional funds become available, it can be extended to a distance of 500 meters, with three taps.

The community will provide the labor of digging and laying the pipe.

Project Impact
170 people will benefit from this project.

Peace Corps Volunteer Directing Project
Suzanne Brewer

Comments
This project will immediately make available a consistent supply of potable water. With extensive community involvement in the planning and implementation, it will be sustainable, and expandable as resources will allow.

Dollar Amount of Project
$500.00

Donations Collected to Date
$500.00

Dollar Amount Needed
$0.00 - This project has now been fully funded, through the generosity of Six Senses Resorts & Spas as a part of their Clean Water Projects initiative.

We encourage others to continue to donate using the Donate button below, and we will notify Peace Corps Volunteer Suzanne Brewer of your donation. Additional funds will be used to fund the next project by Suzanne and/or those of her counterpart PCVs in The Gambia.

Community Description
The village of Bantanding-Tukulor is located in the North Bank near the border with Senegal. It is a farming village with 35 compounds housing about 200 people.

The people of the village grow coos, groundnut, and corn. They also plant cashews and mangoes. They have recently joined a tree planting project in the Jokadu area and have two nurseries for live fence and other species.

The village had two hand pumps, but both are in disrepair. The first is being repaired under the Bantanding-Tukulor Pump #1 Project - The Gambia, undertaken previously.

Regarding Pump #2, the cement cover has been removed, and the pump has been completely dismantled so that the village can draw water by hand.

Project Description
This project is to restore Pump #2 to full operation by making the necessary repairs, and to replace the cement wall around the pump.

Project Impact
This project will benefit the 200 people in the village who rely on this pump.

Peace Corps Volunteer Directing Project
Suzanne Brewer

Comments
This repair and improvement of the second pump in the village restores reasonable water access to the community. It saves the villagers from having to go to the next town to retrieve water for daily use.

Dollar Amount of Project
$500.00

Donations Collected to Date
$500.00

Dollar Amount Needed
$0.00 - This project has now been fully funded, through the generosity of Six Senses Resorts & Spas as a part of their Clean Water Projects initiative.

We encourage others to continue to donate using the Donate button below, and we will notify Peace Corps Volunteer Suzanne Brewer of your donation. Additional funds will be used to fund the next project by Suzanne and/or those of her counterpart PCVs in The Gambia.

Community Description
The village of Bantanding-Tukulor is located in the North Bank near the border with Senegal. It is a farming village with 35 compounds, housing about 200 people.

The people of the village grow coos, groundnut, and corn. They also plant cashews and mangoes. They have recently joined a tree planting project in the Jokadu area and have two nurseries for live fence and other species.

The village has two hand pumps but both are in disrepair and need parts and repairs in order to be operable and safe. Pump #1 has an intact cement wall around it. It is not being used at all at this time.

The moving parts in the pump itself are worn and need replacing. Additionally other bolts, couplings, bearings and the handle chain are in need of replacement. The concrete wall only needs reinforcement where there are cracks.

Project Description
This project is to repair the first of the hand pumps, Pump #1.

The work will be done by Ibu Sinyan, the local well mechanic.

Project Impact
This project will benefit the 200 people in the village who rely on this pump for water.

Peace Corps Volunteer Directing Project
Suzanne Brewer

Comments
This is a critical project that must be remedied at once for the community to have water for their daily needs. The simple repairs represent a very cost-effective solution.

Dollar Amount of Project
$240.00

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
$240.00