Project Launch:

The community that will be impacted by this project is the village of Keur Wack Dia located in the Kaolack region. This region is located in the western and central part of the country and most of the population works in the agricultural sector. The community has experienced erratic weather recently, which has caused a period of food shortages. The current school infrastructure in the village of Keur Wack Dia consists of two cement classrooms and one class made of millet stalks. The third class made of millet stalk has already collapsed once this past school year. The goal of this project is to provide a third cement-based classroom to provide a solid and safe learning space for the children. This project will also provide 500 children 's books to help enhance the students’ learning, as well as expose them to different cultures.

 

Project Update

For the last four months, the community has been working with local construction teams to build the two classrooms, which are almost complete. Once the floor is cemented and the books and desks arrive, the school will open. For the next school year, the women’s group wants to start a school garden to teach students about the environment and to sell produce to generate revenue to purchase additional supplies for the school.

 

Final Report: 9/19/2016

The renovated middle school is complete. There are now additional classrooms ready for the school year. 84 new students will make use of the brand new areas of the facility. Class sizes will be smaller and each student will now received more individualized attention during the day.

 

Testimonials

 

"This project has impacted my life because it is helping the people I truly love and admire the most. The village that I have called home for the past two years is now changing in a positive way. The improvements and updates have given my village something to look forward too. The project also introduced me to many work partners associated to the school. With those new work partners the village was able to produce a lot more cashew orchards and live fences then it would have." -- Carly, Peace Corps Volunteer

" I am happy that Keur Wack Dia has a new school. The old one was not safe. We could not continue with the sacket fence as our classroom. Now we have two new classrooms. I will go to school everyday. I will not miss one day because I want to learn a lot. I want to grow up and go to university then become a teacher. Thank you." -- Janeabou, Student

"The students are going to have a great year. When the school year commences, they will all share the education they require. All the teachers will have their own space to teach the children well. The books that were purchase will improve the children's reading ability. It will also help the teachers because those books are new and not 5 years old. They will sit comfortably at their new desks. The students will be happy and so will the teachers. The village is grateful for the two classrooms and for all the help the organization has given." -- Musa Sarr, School Director