Completed

Community Description
Kounkane is a rural road town located on Route National 6 in southern Senegal, with a population of approximately 9,300, the majority of whom belong to the Pulaar ethnic group. Most of the economy relies on agriculture, primarily of corn, rice, millet, peanuts, and cotton.

The town hosts a mayor’s office, a health post, five primary schools, one CEM (the equivalent of a middle school), and one lycee (the equivalent of a high school). It is also located 9 km from Diaobe, host to one of the largest open-air weekly markets in West Africa, and an important source of commerce in the region.

The Kounkane Lycee began operating in the 2009-2010 school year, and sits approximately 1.5 km south of the town center. It provides vital educational opportunities for students within Kounkane and those from outlying villages, as it is the only fully-functioning lycee between Velingara (30 km away) and Kolda (100 km away).

Specifically, the lycee provides needed secondary education for local girls, whose parents are more reluctant to send their daughters away to larger cities to go to school. The school has 8 classrooms and currently educates 193 male students and 70 female students, and also has one simple hand-dug well.

Due to lack of local government and NGO funding for secondary education, the lycee lacks many necessary facilities, including electricity, running water, an administrative office, a fence, and most importantly, latrines. There are currently no toilet facilities at the lycee, leaving students and faculty no choice but to leave school if they need to use the bathroom. This not only curtails time for students to learn in the classroom, but also creates a health hazard.

Project Description
This project will build two simple latrines behind the classrooms at the Kounkane lycee: one two-chamber latrine for students, and one single-chamber latrine for faculty.

The latrines for students will be housed in a 3.5 m by 2 m building with reinforced cement walls, which are aerated at the top. The two chambers (each 1.5 m by 1.5 m) will be separated by a cement wall. The building will have a zinc roof and zinc doors. PVC piping will connect the stalls to an underground septic tank approximately 2 m from the chambers. The tank will be 3 m deep, 1.5 m long, and 1.5 m wide, aerated by PVC pipe, and lined with rebar-reinforced cement.

The latrine for faculty will be housed in a 2 m by 2 m building with reinforced concrete walls. Like the latrine for students, the building will have a zinc roof and zinc doors. PVC piping will connect the stall to an underground septic tank approximately 2 m from the chamber, which will be 3 m deep, 1.5 m long, and 1.5 m wide, aerated by PVC pipe, and lined with-rebar reinforced cement.

Appropriate Projects funds will be used to purchase cement, rebar, sand, gravel, zinc sheets, and wooden beams for the construction of the chambers and septic tanks, and will also pay for a local mason to construct the septic tanks.

The lycee will provide PVC piping to connect the chambers to and aerate the septic tanks, and turkish toilet seats, and will pay for labor for the construction of the chambers. The lycee will also provide buckets for storing water to flush the toilets.

Project Impact
The project will benefit 289 people, including 193 male students, 70 female students, 20 male faculty members, and 6 female faculty members.

Peace Corps Volunteer Directing Project
Geoffrey Burmeister

Comments
This is a vital project for the students, faculty, and community at large in that it will improve the learning environment and reduce illness caused by open defecation.

Dollar Amount of Project
$555.00

Donations Collected to Date
$555.00

Dollar Amount Needed
$0.00 - This project has 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 Geoffrey Burmeister of your donation. Additional funds will be used to fund the next project by Geoffrey and/or those of other PCVs in the country of service.

This project has been finished. To read about the conclusion of the project, CLICK HERE.

Community Description
Paymar Hamady is a Pulaar village about 40 km south of Kaolack. It is 9 km on bush roads to the nearest road town of Keur Madiabel. People in the area typically make their living farming peanuts, millet, and sorghum as well as through animal husbandry. Because it is a common occupation, the demand for these products is low as are the prices making it difficult to supply even some of the most basic needs.

The most common health concern in the Keur Madiabel area is diarrheal illnesses. One cause of that is open defecation. Flies land on feces, and carry around diseases. They then land on food, causing diarrheal disease. Diarrhea is especially bad for children, as their immune systems are not as strong as that of adults. One method of decreasing the high levels of diarrhea and putting an end to the oral-fecal cycle is the construction of latrines with proper ventilation systems.

Paymar Hamady is a village of about 250 people living in 13 compounds. Sadly, the village contains only 2 latrines. Neither of the latrines is properly ventilated to reduce the number of flies entering and leaving the pit. Also, due to the low number of latrines, most villagers resort to defecating in the fields where they work.

Project Description
This project is to construct 13 latrines, one for each compound.

The latrines will be a simple unlined pit latrines. Members of each household throughout the village will dig a hole 2 meters deep and 1 meter wide. They will collect the sand and rock required to mix with the cement. They will also be responsible for the transportation of materials from Keur Madiabel.

A mason from a nearby village will make the platforms. The cement caps will be constructed by laying rebar within a wood mold made of planks. The cement will then be poured into the mold and left to set. A ventilation tube will be installed into the cement cap of each latrine to reduce the number of flies entering and leaving the pit.

Each latrine will be enclosed in a fence made of either millet stalks or branches woven between posts. The type of enclosure is chosen by the household, which will be responsible for the construction.

After completion of the project, a training will be held on proper sanitation and prevention of diarrheal illnesses.

Project costs will cover the cement, iron for reinforcement of the platform, PVC pipe for ventilation, and the salary of the mason.

Project Impact
The 250 people occupying the village, distributed among 13 compounds, will benefit from the project.

Peace Corps Volunteer Directing Project
Rosanne Dunivan

Comments
This project will have a profound impact on a village that is presently almost devoid of latrines. Since each compound is participating, it will ensure complete community coverage. The extensive participation of all of the families, in labor, materials, and training, points toward sustainability.

Dollar Amount of Project
$555.00

Donations Collected to Date
$555.00

Dollar Amount Needed
$0.00 - This project has been fully funded, through the generosity of the Elmo Foundation, with additional funds from Rosanne's friends and family for future projects.

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 finished. To read about the conclusion of the project, CLICK HERE.

Community Description
Bangu Village is a small but highly populated community in the district of Mulanje, just east of Mt. Mulanje. There are about 3,000 people in the village and the surrounding area.

Community members have been forced to walk up to 2 kilometers to obtain safe drinking water. The Bangu Village Water Committee, a branch of the Bangu Village Development Committee, embarked on a program to hand-dig wells within the village.

A previous Peace Corps Volunteer in the area helped the community cement six hand dug wells and began work on four others before receiving a site transfer. These four wells have been partially cemented but are lacking appropriate runoff areas that will protect the water source, decrease mosquito prevalence and help the wells retain water.

Project Description
This project is to improve four wells in Bangu Village.

Work will be done by masons to protect the wells from the entry of contaminants, prevent the accumulation of mud and standing water, and increase general water source sanitation. Cement will be used to patch some small leaks around the bottom of some of the wells and to build more complete cement platforms around the well bases.

Funds from Appropriate Projects will be used to purchase cement, transport it to the site, and pay a mason for some labor.

The community has already dug the wells and will be involved in collecting quarry stone, river sand and other materials needed to make concrete. They will also be planting plants, such as lemongrass, around these water sources to help prevent erosion and reduce mosquitos.

Project Impact
Over 3,000 villagers will benefit from these improved water sources.

Peace Corps Volunteer Directing Project
Oliver Cole

Comments
This project improves existing infrastructure to make it sound. The result is a water system in the community, consisting of individual wells, that is consistent and secure.

Dollar Amount of Project
$330.00

Donations Collected to Date
$330.00

Dollar Amount Needed
$0.00 - This project has been fully funded, through the generosity of Marcia Wijngaarden, of Den Haag, Netherlands.

We encourage others to continue to donate using the Donate button below, and we will notify Peace Corps Volunteer Oliver Cole of your donation. Additional funds will be used to fund the next project by Oliver and/or those other PCVs in the country of service.

This project has been finished. To read about the conclusion of the project, CLICK HERE.

Community Description
Paraje Xoljoc is located off of the Inter-American Highway on Km 210 heading towards Huehuetenango. It consists of approximately 1,000 inhabitants.

The native language is known as K'iche' (Quiche), but Spanish is spoken by over 99% of the men and understood by most women. The men dedicate themselves to either farming or commerce, or they emigrate to the United States to look for work.

Mothers are expected to stay at home and attend to the children. Like in many other parts of Guatemala, corn is grown by all families, although the increased population and lack of harvest leads the great majority of the families to purchase this staple from importers.

171 children attend EORM Xoljoc. Of these students, 87 are female and 84 male.

The school consists of a “Consejo Educativo” or educative committee that oversees maintenance and assists teachers with coordinating general festivities throughout the year.

The arrival of the Healthy Schools program to EORM Xoljoc was well received by students and parents. The parents did not hesitate to provide their children with basic hygiene utensils when they were asked to, because they understand that healthy habits will be carried for life.

The school has a kitchen and an additional solid block classroom. There are 3 cinder-block latrines.

However, the school has only one water source, known as a “pila”. It is insufficient for the needs of the children for drinking water, teeth brushing, and handwashing.

Project Description
This project is to build a handwashing station with 8 to 10 faucets. This will alleviate clustering of children and facilitate the implementation of a washing schedule among classrooms.

Water Charity funds will be used to purchase the materials.

The labor will be provided by the community, with skilled masonry services directed by the educative committee.

The school water supply comes from an underground spring up in the mountain. It is abundant during most of the year, except during February and part of March, when less water flows.

In the future, the parents also plan to build a new concrete water storage tank to replace the one that was structurally damaged during the 2010 storms. Such a tank will be used year round, but especially during the dry season to make up for lost pressure due to a decrease in water flow from the ground water source.

Project Impact
This project will benefit 171 children and 6 teachers, as well as the 1,000 community inhabitants who come to the school for community events.

Peace Corps Volunteer Directing Project
Daniel Landeros

Comments
The handwashing station is required for Healthy Schools certification. It will allow the children to wash their hands after leaving the bathroom and before eating. As such, it will have a direct impact in reducing gastrointestinal illness.

Dollar Amount of Project
$555.00

Donations Collected to Date
$555.00

Dollar Amount Needed
$0.00 - This project has been fully funded, through the generosity of Michael and Carla Boyle, of Huntingdon, PA, USA.

We encourage others to continue to donate using the Donate button below, and we will notify Peace Corps Volunteer Daniel Landeros of your donation. Additional funds will be used to fund the next project by Daniel and/or those other PCVs in the country of service.

This project has been finished. To read about the conclusion of the project, CLICK HERE.

Community Description
Diadkovichy is a small farming village of 1,300 people. It is located 30 minutes outside of Rivne, the capital of the Rivne oblast.

The village is one of the larger in the immediate area and has one of the few K-11th form schools, Diadkovichy School. The school hosts students from three surrounding communities, Verhivsk, Mylostiv, and Yasininechy, who wish to continue their schooling beyond the required 9th form provided by their schools.

Currently, students and teachers must use an outdoor facility that is unsanitary and sometimes impossible to access in the snow and below-freezing temperatures of a Ukrainian winter.

Project Description
This project is to build an indoor toilet at the Diadkovichy School.

The toilet will be built in an existing toilet area that has been non-functional for many years. All piping and fixtures will be replaced and the walls, ceiling, and floors repaired.

The water supply from the central well water system is functional and does not need replacement.

Waste piping will be integrated with the current waste system, which involves pumping and transporting the waste every other week,

All the old piping for water supply (both for sinks and toilets) from the central water source will be replaced. All waste piping will be replaced as well. New fixtures will then be installed.

The work will be done by several fathers of students who have the necessary skills.

Project fund will be used to buy 10 meters of metal piping, sink and toilet fixtures, and miscellaneous materials.

The total cost of the project will be $1,750. The families of students and private businesses will contribute the balance in money, labor, and materials to complete the project.

Project Impact
144 students and 20 teachers will benefit from the project.

Peace Corps Volunteer Directing Project
Maria Booker

Comments
This project remedies an untenable sanitation problem at the school. It makes use of existing infrastructure and incorporates a large amount of community labor and financial resources.

Dollar Amount of Project
$555.00

Donations Collected to Date
$243.00

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
$312.00

This project has been finished. To read about the conclusion of the project, CLICK HERE.