Water for Aida

“It takes a village” might be a phrase which originated in Africa, but it’s become an accepted sentiment in our modern society: no matter where you call home, everyone depends on a vast ecosystem of support for all aspects of our lives. Personal effort makes a difference, but when one or more societal infrastructures are lacking it’s all too easy for any amount of effort to fail to lift people out of poverty.

Aida Mbaye has served as the midwife in her village of Seno Bowal for over 25 years.

This is exactly what the village of Seno Bowal is facing. You may recall that last year we constructed a vitally needed health post here which was an immediate success… that is until their water tower broke down. A health post without clean running water isn’t much help. Thankfully they were able to find a temporary solution, but their water situation remains perilous.

For nearly a year residents of Seno Bowal had to rely on water brought in by donkey cart from a well six miles away.

“Here we are in a dry area, a very dry area. We do not have enough water. It’s very dry. We are not close to the river, we are not close to anything. We are depending on the rainy season.
”

— Aida, Midwife at Seno Bowal

Lack of water prevents Aida from serving her community, but an even bigger problem is that the community cannot survive without water. Water is life!

Mother and daughter walking outside the village of Seno Bowal.

Bodiel Fall (left), representative of the village chief, first alerted Andando to the issue and helped to develop our planned intervention.

Seno Bowal is the water source for 10 villages and over 5,000 people, along with an additional 30,000 livestock! It is a vital regional resource, but unfortunately, they have struggled with insufficient water and breakdowns for years.

The good news is that the problem is solvable! The constant breakdowns stem from piecemeal temporary fixes which never addressed the root cause of the problem: an undersized well which simply can’t meet the demand.

Seno Bowal’s water tower, which has the potential to provide water for 10 villages and over 5,000 people!

We need your help to get water for Aida and her community.

We can drill a new deep borehole well which will solve this problem once and for all! Once the water problem is solved, we can then install a market garden which will not only provide year-round food for all 2,200 residents of Seno Bowal, but also help them remain on their ancestral lands.

Photo Caption: Members of Seno Bowal who will benefit from a new well and market garden that will allow them to remain on their ancestral lands.

How can we help?

We need to raise $50,000 to fix the water problem and install a new market garden. Will you walk alongside Aida so she can continue to provide quality medical care to her village and not have to worry if the water will turn on?

From the Director - April 2024

Greetings from Senegal! I am currently here working with the our team to finalize our projects for 2024, so stay tuned to hear about all the exciting new partnerships that your support is making possible.

Thiam, Andando’s Podor Programs Manager, meeting with the village of Mbida to formalize our partnership to build a new health post.

In the meantime, we have some incredible news out of Podor where we have broken ground on our 15th health post in the remote village of Mdiba! This project has been in the works for a long time, and thanks to your incredible support during our year-end giving campaign, along with the continued generosity of Hub City Church, we were able to say yes to this community! We gave them the good news over the phone, but the conversation didn’t get very far as everyone started cheering and celebrating.

This currently barren land will be the site of another life-changing health post. What is now dusty and dry will become a bright, cheerful, and safe place for expectant mothers to give birth with the support of experienced midwives.

Andando’s newest partner garden in Wouro Kelle is off to an incredible start harvesting over 5,000 lbs. of produce already in their very first season! Their dedication and hard work is proof of how much our partners value this opportunity and why we must keep pushing into more remote and underserved areas where few if any other NGO’s are operating.

Fatou Sékke shows off her harvest for the day. Over 5,000 pounds of produce has already been harvested by the women of Wouro Kelle in their very first season!

“We are really happy with this garden. We grow so many vegetables and all organic. We notice now our health is improving.”

— Fatou Ibra Sékke

Lastly, thanks to the help of Rick Steves Climate Smart Commitment, our tree nurseries in both Podor and Keur Soce are starting to produce tens of thousands of native tree seedlings to support our gardens and regional reforestation efforts. Climate change is hitting Senegal hard, and our partner communities have asked us to help them to regreen the Sahel. We could not be happier to be able to support them in this ambitious goal.

All of Andando’s partner communities are coming together this year with the goal of planting 100,000 trees!

Thank you for everything that you are doing to help our partner communities to thrive.

From the Director - January 2024

As we move into another new year, I want to personally thank you for your support. I wish that everyone could see the incredible impacts of our work and hear the gratitude directly from our partner communities, but take a second to read these words and take them in for yourself because YOU helped to make this possible:

“As a midwife I can bear witness, all the new babies born in the village are now at least 7-9 pounds. Malnutrition has left this village; nobody is underfed now. We thank the lord, we thank everyone for this.”

— Mboyo Walo garden member

There are too many wonderful updates and stories to share, so here are just a few highlights since our last update.  Mbadhiou Peulh Primary School opened its doors this fall with three beautifully renovated classrooms and brand-new bathroom facilities.  The teachers there told us that this is the first year that classes were able to start on time with a spot for every student who wanted to enroll.

At Mbadhiou Peulh Primary school, students enjoy the renovated classrooms with enough space for everyone.

At Keur Soce High School our first-ever school garden started their first gardening campaign, which will soon support a school canteen to provide healthy meals to students from remote villages who otherwise wouldn’t have anything to eat during the school day.

Students at Keur Soce High School are improving their food security and learning practical science lessons in their new school garden.

Due to our steadfast commitment to improving access to quality education for over a decade, Andando was recently recognized with an award from Senegal’s National Minister of Education!

Andando representatives (left to right: Thiam, Fiona, Boubou, and Kevin) accepting an award from Senegal’s National Minister of Education for our significant contributions in the education sector for more than a decade.

This past fall Andando was also named as a finalist for the .ORG Impact Awards in Washington DC, out of nearly 1,000 candidates from 70 countries. We are so proud of what we have been able to accomplish together with you and our partner communities and are glad that more people are starting to take notice.

Garrison and Crystal represented Andando at the .ORG Impact Awards held in Washington DC. Andando was a finalize out of over 1,000 nonprofits from 70 different countries!

Thank you again for all you have done to support the people of Senegal and we can’t wait to make an even bigger impact in 2024!

Public Interest Registry Names Andando as 2023 .ORG Impact Awards Finalists, Padma Lakshmi to Host

Public Interest Registry (PIR), the people behind .ORG, named the finalists for the 5th annual .ORG Impact Awards and announced that Padma Lakshmi—activist, author, and host/producer of Hulu’s Taste the Nation—will host the awards ceremony where the winners will be revealed on November 16 in Washington, D.C. The program recognizes and rewards outstanding mission-driven individuals and organizations from around the world for their positive contributions to society.

Andando is named as a finalist in the Community Building category for their outstanding work in Senegal aiding rural communities to break intergenerational cycles of poverty and create lasting positive change especially for women and girls. This is the first time that Andando’s achievements are being recognized at the global level which is both an honor and a great opportunity for a larger audience to engage with their work.

Andando’s women’s gardens, health posts, schools, and microloans work together to help communities to lift themselves out of poverty.

Andando’s holistic, community centered approach to poverty reduction has affected over 50,000 people in some of the most remote and underserved villages in Senegal.  Partnerships last a minimum of 5 years and can include interventions in food security, healthcare, school infrastructure and microfinance, all depending on the needs and desires of each community. To date Andando has constructed and supports 40 women’s cooperative gardens, 65 classrooms, 45 latrines and has distributed over 2,000 microloans.

“We are honored to welcome our 2023 .ORG Impact Award Finalists into our growing community of changemakers, who inspire us to make the world a better place. We created the awards to celebrate those within the .ORG Community who work tirelessly to uplift their communities—and this year’s finalists represent hope for a brighter future” said Jon Nevett, President, and CEO of Public Interest Registry.

From food justice to health advocacy, Lakshmi is a passionate and outspoken advocate in the mission-driven community

“We also are thrilled to have Padma Lakshmi join us to celebrate the immense impact of the OIA finalists, winners, and .ORG community at our awards ceremony. A changemaker herself with an inspiring advocacy background, Padma will bring new energy and celebration to this year’s awards.”

Andando’s Executive Director Garrison Harward along with Development Director Crystal Kelley will travel to the .ORG Impact Awards celebration where the winners will be announced. 35 finalists, out of nearly 1,000 candidates, will attend the ceremony where the .ORG of the year winner will receive a donation of $50,000 with the other category winners each receiving $10,000.  

“It’s an honor to be a finalist for such a prestigious global award. If we are lucky enough to win our category or even .ORG of the Year 100% of the funds will go directly into life changing projects for a new rural community in Senegal. Beyond that though we hope that more people will see what we are doing and want to get involved. The impacts we’re achieving are truly incredible.”

- Garrison Harward, Executive Director

Public Interest Registry (PIR) is a nonprofit that operates the .ORG top-level domain—one of the world’s largest generic top-level domains with more than 10.8 million domain names registered worldwide. .ORG is open to everyone, providing a global platform for organizations, associations, clubs, businesses and individuals to bring their ideas to life. PIR has been a champion for a free and open Internet for two decades with a clear mission to be an exemplary domain name registry, provide a trusted digital identity and help educate those who dedicate themselves to improving our world. PIR was founded by the Internet Society (internetsociety.org) in 2002 and is based in Reston, Virginia, USA. Visit www.TheNew.org for more information.

From the Director - October 2023

·       A potential new partner school in the neighboring commune of Ndiedieng, next to Keur Soce.

40 gardens, 14 health posts, 65 classrooms, 45 latrines, and over 2,000 microloans to date.  These numbers are impressive but what is the real limit of what we can do together?  How many more people can we reach?  How can we grow without losing the personal touch and care that has made Andando so uniquely successful?  What is next for Andando? These are questions that I ask myself constantly and with the completion of our 40th garden this feels like an important moment to step back, take stock, and share our vision for the future.  

Some of the amazing Podor team standing in front of our newly completed tree nursery, which will drastically increase the rate at which we can build new gardens.

It is nothing short of miraculous what Andando has been able to achieve over the past 15 years, but there is still so much more work to do. We’ve been in the incubator together, so to speak, building a community of supporters and developing our methods and partnerships.  What we do works, and we have a moral imperative now to reach as many communities in need as we can.

The incredible Keur Soce team after a strategic planning training this past August.

To this end we are investing in our local staff, who have always been key to our success, building their capacity and giving them the tools and training to tackle larger projects in the future.  We are working with regional government leaders to assess our current impacts and develop long-term plans to address the remaining needs in Keur Soce and Podor. And we are looking for Andando’s next region, or regions, to expand into, where our unique and dedicated approach can impact even more remote and neglected communities.  

Podor Tree Program Manager Alassane Ba (Gorgui), taking our new office computer for a test drive.

We are poised and ready to expand and there has never been a better, or a more needed time to support Andando.  Whether through the auction, monthly contributions, volunteering, or spreading the word, your support is not just another drop in the bucket, it directly impacts what we do every day and how big our vision for the future can be.

“Jéréjëf!” – Thank You!

- Garrison Harward, Executive Director

Update from the Field

I have just returned from Senegal and there is far too much good news to wait for the next newsletter!  We were fortunate to have good weather during the trip, not a guarantee in the rainy season, so we were able to see most of the new projects that we’re working on and how they’re coming together.  This is just a quick overview so stay tuned for more in-depth information soon on all of these amazing projects!

Garrison and Gorgui standing with our new deep borehole well in the desert.

In the Keur Soce area work is nearly complete on our first ever school garden at Keur Soce High School.  The fence, basins, and storehouse are done, leaving only the water connection to our nearby Thiako garden whose members are generously contributing their water to the school.  We are so excited that this will be the first high school in all of Senegal with an integrated aquaculture training program!  Work should be completed here by the end of the month, and we will share more pictures when classes start in October and garden activities begin.

The completed garden storehouse stands in front of the beautiful Keur Soce High School classrooms.

A fish basin inside Keur Soce High School Garden with Mandaw, Garden Program Manager.

Watering basins will be connected to the aquaculture system so that nutrient rich fish water can be used to water crops in the garden.

Renovations begin at Mbadhiou Peulh Primary School.

Also in Keur Soce we got to see the beginning of renovations of three classrooms at Mbadhiou Peulh Primary School.  The local municipal government is constructing two new classrooms here this year but didn’t have the means to upgrade the existing classroom building which has a leaking roof and cracked walls. So at the request of the village Andando stepped in to renovate the current classrooms so that all students will have a safe and proper learning environment for years to come.  We will also be adding a new block of latrines hare as well this fall!

Students from Mbadhiou Peulh Primary School in one of the classrooms that is now being renovated.

Adjacent to the existing classrooms is a temporary classroom where some students have to study in difficult conditions.

Due to the collaboration between the community and Andando all students will now study in proper safe and secure classrooms.

Madame Sekk, the head nurse of the regional hospital, facilitates a community meetings in the village of Bida in preparation to start construction on a new health post there.

In Podor we finished the selection process for our next health post which will be built in the rural community of Bida.  This village is dedicated to community health with several healthcare workers already operating a seasonal clinic here out of temporary structures which must be rebuilt each year.  We are proud to be working with such dedicated partners and can’t wait to see the impact that a proper health post will have on their ability to care for their community. We will share more about the incredible story of this village when we start construction here in November.

A boy from Togane stands with the papaya tree he helped plant this spring.

We are also nearly finished with construction on our new tree nursery and agroforestry center in Podor.  Our borehole well drilling was a complete success, and we now have a high output water source with a solar well pump system which will enable us to produce a minimum of 50,000 beneficial native trees here each year.  With these tree we will be able to speed up the implementation of new gardens and provide trees to all of our schools, health posts, and partner communities to bolster their food security, improve quality of life, and help them to restore the ecology of their lands. 

Photo Descriptions: 1) Clean fresh water flows from our new well in the Podor Tree Nursery. 2) Fruit tree seedlings in the Keur Soce Tree Nursery, which has started over 15,000 trees this year! 3) Podor Tree Nursery complete with basins, storehouse, water reservoir, solar panels, and restrooms. 4) A woman from Togane stands proudly with her Moringa trees. This is the first time that this village has ever had access to this miraculous and nutritious tree.

The children of Wouro Kelle verifying the water system. This garden draws water from the local river which turns brown from runoff during the rainy season.

Last but certainly not least we visited the community of Wouro Kelle to see the completion of Andando’s 40th garden!!  We are privileged to have this dedicated and deserving community join Andando at such a wonderful milestone and we can’t wait to share their story with you. Stay tuned for the next newsletter where we will profile Wouro Kelle and tell you more about the impact that this garden will have there. We would never have gotten to this point, or be able to reach such remote villages as this, without the steadfast support of our dedicated community of donors and volunteers over the past 15 years. Our hats off to you!

The women of Wourou Kelle celebrate the completion of their new garden.

It’s hard to believe but it’s already “Auction Season” for Andando, and if any of these projects resonated with you, please consider contributing in some way to help make the auction a success! We always have many more projects up for consideration than we can accomplish each year, and the success of the auction is the deciding factor on much of our yearly programing.  Whether you can help by volunteering, donating auction items, spreading the word to new potential donors, or attending and bidding on some of our amazing auction items, we appreciate your support so that we can continue this vital work in Senegal. 

Please consider contributing through our annual auction fundraiser. Whether you can help by volunteering, donating auction items, spreading the word to new potential donors, or attending and bidding on some of our amazing auction items, we appreciate your support so that we can continue this vital work in Senegal.  More info at www.andando.org/events.

Seno Bowal Health Post is Open for Business!

Women from the village of Seno Bowal celebrating the grand opening of the health post.

Seno Bowal is open for business! This past May we had the immense pleasure of witnessing the inauguration of our Seno Bowal health post, Andando’s 14th overall. 

Seno Bowal is a remote village in the northern region of Senegal. Accessible only by driving off the highway and then 8 miles into the desert on sand paths, the remoteness of this community really comes into focus.

Driving off the highway and then 20 kilometers (8 miles) into the desert on sand paths, the remoteness of this community really comes into focus.  We actually ended up passing the village because the paths had changed since our last visit, showing just how tenuous and unpredictable travel in this environment can be. 

We eventually found our way and when we arrived were greeted by a beautiful site, a crowd of cheering women in front of a gorgeous new health post: the bright sturdy structure seeming to stand proudly in stark contrast to the cracked and dilapidated hut that it replaced.  

Mane Fall, a mother and member of the village, shared with us the reality and risk of giving birth before the health post was completed.

The women of the village rolled out brightly colored mats and started playing traditional drums and soon the spontaneous dance party began.  The joy of this moment was palpable as the women laughed and sang, continually trying to one-up each other’s dance moves. 

During the planning and construction process for this health post we heard countless testimonials of the difficulties women in Seno Bowal and the surrounding villages face when seeking healthcare.  They opened up to us saying how hard it is to travel by donkey cart to the local hospital while in labor, or about giving birth in the dark without any electricity or running water, and even about the loved ones who they had lost because they weren’t able to get the care that they needed.  The exuberance of this moment seems to be joyful manifestation of relief, that hopefully life will be just a little bit easier from now on.  

The new health post includes clean running water. Something so vital that we easily take for granted.

After the initial celebration died down, we were treated to a tour of the new health post.  We saw the consultation room, the private delivery and recovery rooms, and got to wash our hands with clean running water; something so vital that we easily take for granted.

Sitting down with the community to hear how they are already using the post for community health outreach and primary care.

We then sat down for a meeting with the community where they told us how they are already using the post for community health outreach activities and primary care treatments.  It speaks volumes to this community’s dedication and enthusiasm that as soon as the paint was dry, they opened the doors and started seeing patients. In fact the first healthy baby was born here just a few weeks after our visit!

The Andando team standing out side the completed Seno Bowal Health Post with the head nurse.

We congratulate the entire community and everyone who helped us to make this possible. Here's to a healthier, happier Seno Bowal! As we move forward, Andando will continue to work with the community to ensure the sustainability of this health post. We’ll help train the staff and organize community health programs. We remain committed to improving access to quality healthcare for the people of Seno Bowal and other similar communities. This may be our 14th health post, but each one has its own unique story, and we are excited to share more stories of other communities in need as we continue to expand our rural healthcare initiatives.  

From the Director - July 2023

We are on a roll! It feels appropriate that with the lush growth of another rainy season, so many projects are coming to fruition for Andando. 

The inauguration of Seno Bowal Health Post, Andando’s 14th overall.

Our Seno Bowal health post, Andando’s 14th overall, was officially inaugurated on May 10th, and the first baby was born there less than a month later! This post was entirely funded by generous donations from Hub City Church, and we are so proud to be partnering with them to create life saving access to maternal healthcare in rural communities. 

Midwives and nurses standing outside the newly renovated health post in Thiemene Taba.

We are thrilled to report that the repairs of our first health post, Thiamene Taba, are complete as well! Altrusa International of Albany helped us to realize this rapid response to the damage that occurred here during the last rainy season, ensuring that this post will continue to serve the area for years to come.

Drilling the borehole in Podor for the new native tree nursery.

In Podor we successfully drilled our first borehole well in the desert last month, which is a crucial milestone towards building our new native tree nursery and agroforestry center.  This location will soon produce 50,000 beneficial trees each year thanks to a grant from Rick Steve’s Europe!

Workers frame up the rebar for the concrete aquaculture basin in the Keur Soce High School STEM garden. Construction is nearly complete on our first-ever school garden at Keur Soce High School, which will be the first high school in all of Senegal with an integrated aquaculture training program.

Back in Keur Soce work is nearly finished on our first ever school garden at Andando’s Keur Soce High School, which will be the first high school in all of Senegal with an integrated aquaculture training program.  We are still seeking funding to hopefully build a laboratory, classroom, library, and computer lab to continue to support this amazing school.

Breaking ground at Andando’s 40th(!!) garden located in the extremely isolated community of Wouro Kelle.

And last but not least, in the community of Wouro Kelle we just broke ground on Andando’s 40th garden!  Wow!! We never could have gotten to this point without the generous support of so many amazing people who partner with us year after year to help the people of Senegal. On behalf of all of our staff and partner communities,

Back Up and Running: Thiamene Taba Health Post Repairs are Complete!

Health care workers outside the newly repaired Thiamene Taba Health Post

We are thrilled to share that our repairs on Andando’s oldest health post, Thiamene Taba, are complete!   This post has been a vital community health resource for over a decade providing a safe environment for births, along with access to primary care for numerous day-to-day health needs.  (Click here to see the previous blog post on Thiamene Taba.)

Thiamene Taba Health Post: BEFORE & AFTER

The dedicated staff here hold monthly programs to screen for malnutrition, provide vaccinations, and ensure that all children in the area are healthy and developing properly.  When the COVID19 pandemic broke out they lead the charge to educate their community about the situation and were even able to advocate to have vaccines administered from this post to keep their village safe.  

During Covid-19, health care workers were essential in keeping communities safe through education and instruction on proper hand washing techniques.

In 2022 alone Thiamene Taba saw over 2,500 patients including 39 healthy births.  The incredible community health workers here did all of this as unpaid volunteers, relying only on small donations from surrounding villages to support their work. We are incredibly proud of their dedication to the health and well-being of their community, and when we got the call that Thiamene Taba needed a new roof after one of the harshest rainy seasons in decades, we knew we had to find a way to keep this essential community health resource thriving.

Andando is lucky to have amazing partners both in Senegal and back in the United States.  Altrusa International of Albany has been a long-time supporter of our work so when we got the call, we reached out to them to see if they would be willing to sponsor the repairs.   They enthusiastically agreed and because of Altrusa’s support we were able not only to replace the roof with a brand-new sturdier steel beam supported metal sheeting, but we also patched and painted the entire structure, updated old plumbing, and hooked up the post to the electrical grid which just recently arrived in the village.   

The transformation is incredible.  Here is what Fatou Thiam, the head midwife of Thiamene Taba, had to say about the project:

Fatou Thiam, midwife at Thiamene Taba Health Post, pictured outside the building during repairs (April 2023).

“Before the repairs when it rained no one could give birth here because water was leaking in everywhere and everything was wet. We couldn’t work in those conditions. Women would have to go far to Keur Soce to give birth and sometimes they didn’t make it in time and would deliver on the road on the way there.  This health post is very important for the community, and we thank God it is in a good condition now.”

Because of our ongoing commitment and connection to communities after a project is complete we learned about the need as soon as it occurred. This mutual trust and communication is what makes long-term project success possible.

This success story is only possible due to Andando’s continued connection with our partner communities and the continued support of our donors and partner organizations.  We learned about the need as soon as it occurred, were able to find support within just a few short months, and then completed a total renovation well in advance of the next rainy season.  This kind of direct project monitoring and rapid response to problems is rare in the development field and it’s a testament to the dedication of Andando’s partner communities, in country staff, and generous donors. This was a huge success for everyone involved and will have a positive impact on Thiamene Taba and the surrounding communities for generations to come. Bravo!

From the Director - April 2023

It’s always exciting to report the new things that Andando is doing, new projects, new partner communities, bigger impact numbers, etc. I want to take the opportunity today though to give you a little insight into what happens after the fanfare ends.

Celebrating our successes with the garden leadership from our Podor Region gardens.

We talk a lot about walking with the people of Senegal for the long haul and we mean it. Our programs are concentrated together both to maximize their impact and to make sure that we know about the challenges our partners face and can help them to find solutions. This is why after 15 years of doing this work 100% of Andando’s gardens, schools, and health posts are still operational. Our impact numbers are impressive but I’m equally proud that as we’re growing, we aren’t leaving any of our communities behind.

Keur Ngor Marone - our first-ever garden is still thriving!

To this end, after listening to the needs of our gardens, we are providing additional support this year to help modernize all infrastructure to our current designs. Over the years we’ve learned a lot about best practices for our projects, and sometimes that means that we need to go back and update older work so that it can stand the test of time.

Something as small as upgrading old valves helps prolong the life of infrastructure and conserve vital water resources.

This goes for all of our sectors, and we are also working this year to renovate one of our oldest health posts, Thiamene Taba. This post is heavily utilized, seeing over 2,000 patients last year alone, but their roof has started to leak making it difficult to provide quality care.

Visiting one of our very first health posts, Thiamene Taba, constructed over 10 years ago.

Thanks to the help of Altrusa International of Albany we are replacing their roof with a new stronger metal sheeting that is part of our standard design now.

By establishing and maintaining strong relationships, we work with the local communities to ensure projects are successful for the long-haul. Fatou Thiam is the midwife at Thiamene Taba, and first alerted us to the needed repairs.

We want all of our projects to last for many years to come so that they can create truly lasting change in our partner communities. Your continued support allows us to do this while still growing to reach more people in need.

Even Health Posts Need a Little First Aid Too!

The First Aid Cross is an internationally recognized symbol of neutrality and protection.  Those seeking first aid or care know they can take comfort and safety inside the walls of a health facility.  This is what Andando health posts provide in rural communities, a place where locally trained professionals can render appropriate aid and comfort for those needing help.  But over time, even the structure itself needs a little first aid too!

The health post at Thiamene Taba is one of Andando’s first health posts, constructed over 10 years ago.

The village of Thiamene Taba is home to one of our first health posts constructed over 10 years ago.  The design is simple: a raised concrete floor to prevent seasonal flood waters from entering the building, brick walls to provide protection from the harsh heat and wind, all sheltered by a metal roof that keeps out the heavy rain and punishing sun.

Fatou Thiam is the midwife at Thiamene Taba. She is pictured here in front of the health post built over 10 years ago with some of the neighborhood kids.

Fatou Thiam is the midwife at Thiamene Taba and she shared with us how the health post helps her keep her community healthy; “It’s very good for the population here because before people use to give birth in their rooms and we would meet them there.”

After faithfully serving the community and surrounding villages for over 10 years the roof at the Thiamene Taba health post has developed leaks which make it virtually unusable for several months every year:

“When it rains you cannot assist anyone with a birth. If someone has an injection that needs to be done they have to go maybe seven or eight kilometers to Keur Soce to get their injection. If they have any first aid needs they go to Keur Soce. That’s what we mean and how it is here Please help us, we need help.” ”

— Fatou Thiam - Midwife at Thiamene Taba Health Post

Thankfully members of the Altrusa Club of Albany and the Altrusa International Foundation were excited to help fund the roof repair, “Altrusa of Albany is very happy to support Andando. It is amazing to us what they are able to do with the funds we give them. The recent gift will fix the roof on the Thiamene Taba Medical Clinic.  It is SO important to maintain the health clinic because it is the only medical care within many miles and the only way people have to get there is to walk. Thank you Andando for all you do!” said Linda Tedisch, International Chair Altrusa Club of Albany.

Repairs are underway and Fatou is looking forward to resuming services in the center.  Check back for updated photos.

How to Build a Health Post in the Desert

Two of the health care workers who will continue to serve their community in the new health post at Seno Bowal.

Access to health care is an essential component of our holistic approach to helping communities thrive.  When health resources are inadequate or inaccessible, routine medical needs can turn deadly.  This is especially true for pregnant women and their children. Senegal has the 47th highest infant mortality rate and the 35th highest maternal mortality rate in the world.  Fortunately, Senegal has a robust healthcare system with qualified doctors, nurses, and midwives who can drastically improve positive health outcomes for rural communities.  The problem isn’t expertise or personnel, it’s infrastructure, and this is where Andando comes in.

As with all of our projects, a new health post starts with a conversation.  We meet with regional Health Ministry doctors to discuss their needs, and together we identify underserved areas in need of infrastructure.  Next comes the first of several visits to prospective villages. 

We meet with women, midwives, and village elders (video above) to hear their stories and learn about their needs and desires for improvements.  Once a village is tentatively selected, we verify with the Health Ministry that trained personnel will be assigned to the post upon completion, and we sign agreements with the village for the use of land and water and their contribution to assist with construction.  

The health post at Seno Bowal will be replaced with a new structure with running water, electricity, and private rooms.

One of the health care workers inside the existing health post at Seno Bowal. The existing buiding will be replaced with a new structure with running water, electricity, and private rooms.

A waiting area outside the health post at Seno Bowal. The existing building will be replaced with a new structure with running water, electricity, and private rooms.

The excitement really begins when we secure funding and can start construction.  We are currently building a new post in the community of Seno Bowal which is funded 100% by a generous donation from Hub City Church.  They have sponsored many of our health posts and we cannot thank them enough for their continued support!

Delivery of construction materials such as concrete and rebar to the new building site for the Seno Bowal Health Post.

Water for mixing concrete has to be brought in by donkey cart until the site can be plumbed.

Bricks are formed and cured on-site. These will be used for the foundation and walls of the Seno Bowal Health Post.

We are still in the initial phase of building bricks and laying the foundation, but in just a few short months this post will have running water, electricity, multiple rooms for consultation, delivery and recovery, and will be a game changer for access to medical care for 12 villages with over 4,000 people. We will keep you updated as construction finishes and all the benefits to the village and surrounding areas start to come to fruition.

“Andando did what others couldn't do.”

Samba Mbaye - farmer, father, and city councilor in Keur Socé.

It’s been over a year since the pandemic started, and thanks to our team on the ground in Senegal we were able to quickly identify and meet the emergent needs of the communities we serve.

While things may not be back to “normal” soon, we remain committed to walking alongside the people of Senegal just as we have for nearly 15 years.

We met with one of the city councilors in Keur Socé and he shared with us his thoughts on the last year:

My name is Samba Mbaye, I would like to take the opportunity to testify about Andando and the acts of kindness they have done during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Andando is the only NGO that did what others couldn’t do during Covid -19...they had the courage to come as a backup and to our bedside.”

— Samba Mbaye, City Councilor

I testify knowingly, what Andando did during the pandemic. I saw the devastation of the pandemic with my own eyes, therefore, I wish the virus would go away forever. Andando has done a lot for the community by providing emergency supplies such as rice, oil, soap, milk, sugar, and masks. Andando did this THIS year, they contribute to the development of the municipality and surrounding areas.

Andando staff working with local leadership to coordinate a distribution of food, soap, and masks to rural communities.

Once supplies reach rural villages, they are distributed among families, with special care given to those most in need.

Beyond Covid relief they are building classrooms, installing gardens for the benefit of women and families, and providing small loans for farmers. In short, Andando is doing everything possible to help the development sectors of our community.

Thousands of masks have been given out to garden participants so they can safely keep providing food for their families.

Andando is an essential partner who invests in the community; they have done a lot of things here. Since the beginning they respect our local leadership, honor our memorandum of understanding, and participate in our budget orientation meetings.

Corn growing in one of the community gardens.

Andando intervenes within the framework of State policy, it is an important NGO that works to help populations and has an inclusive and participatory vision. Andando is the only NGO in our town that works for the well-being of the populations. On the other hand, there are other NGOs that distribute T-shirts and not important actions. Andando is the only NGO that did what others couldn't do during Covid -19 where everyone was staying at home, activities were down, people were not working and making no money, it is Andando who had the courage to come as a backup and to our bedside.

An elementary school under construction.

I have hope because Andando teaches us with a development method - they start with someone who has nothing at all, and they train and encourage us so we can come out of idleness and poverty.

Andando is leading us on a good trajectory, showing us the way and giving us ideas.

Helping Midwives Keep Families Safe - Health Post Update

Despite delays caused by travel restrictions earlier this year, the health post at Paymar was completed in October and is seeing patients! We chatted with head midwife, Awa Diaw, to see how things are going.

The Paymar health post is up and running, here the midwife, Awa Diaw (right), is doing a patient consult.

“As part of my work I receive sick people, sometimes in the morning, afternoon or evening. I work to treat wounds or to deliver babies. The new health post has a big impact, because it is a safe and sanitary place for patients. In addition, the fifteen surrounding villages also come here to seek care.”

— - Awa Diaw, Paymar Midwife

A healthy set of twins born at the Mbantou health post recently.

We are excited to add more health posts, bringing our total to 12! In the communities of Kacothie (Keur Soce) and Mbiddy (Podor), construction is well underway for two new health posts.

Construction has already started at the Kacothie health post.

Healthcare workers are the stop gap between isolated communities and the education and resources needed to keep them safe during this pandemic. They have gone above and beyond by visiting households in their community (with the use of personal protective equipment) to ensure families have what they need to stay safe. They also helped us facilitate the distribution of emergency Covid relief supplies earlier this year. Without their local leadership, many in rural areas would have been left behind. With your support, we will continue to invest in local healthcare workers and their communities for a healthier future.

Health Posts and Gardens in Action [Video]

We recently sat down to talk with local health workers and garden participants. They shared with us in this video how they think the projects are going in their communities. Click here to watch the full video. You can also read the transcript below.

“Andando has helped us to build many health posts... also they give us some of the basic tools and medicines. We had another building that was for vaccinations, but we could not use it - but now we can because Andando renovated it.”

— Umu Barry, Head Nurse, Keur Soce Health Clinic

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Video Transcript:

Hey guys, I am Boubou Sy, I am the Country Director of Andando.  For those who don’t know me, I have been with Andando for a very long time, since the beginning. 

I came here (Keur Soce) in 2006, and since we have been working, and helping, and also for Andando to set here.

-Boubou Sy, Andando Country Director

Andando has achieved a lot for our village, and we really thank Andando from the bottom of our hearts.

Since Andando came to Mbadhiou, we have peace. Since they arrive we have no more worries and we thank you.

-Woury Sow, Mbadhiou Peulh – Garden Member

I am a mother of ten children including six boys and four girls.  Thanks to Andando, I have a job doing small business – I became a women entrepreneur in the field of commerce.  Before, I had not occupation, now with Andando, I grow and sell vegetables.

-Khady Sow, Mbadhiou Peulh – Garden Member

Thanks to Andando, our community lives well.  The local economy is developing because all the women in the garden without exception have the capacity to earn maybe $5 a day, this did not exist before.

We thank God, because we cultivate all the varieties of vegetables which we use in our meals.

-Woury Sow

In the past, I had a huge problem providing for the needs of the family. Now, since the garden is installed, I take good care of my family and myself.

The important thing is that if we create gardens for other communities, they will become self-sufficient in terms of food security.

-Khady Sow

We hope this program can grow to other communities as I inform them that if they will have an organization like Andando they will believe in the work and they will have the esteem of others wherever they are. They will be independent and have confidence in themselves.

-Woury So

The health sector, if you see they had only one health post.  It was not working, but Andando has been helping them by building many health posts around.  I think now they are really enjoying.

-Boubou Sy

Before Andando came here, the population of Sama and the other surrounding villages were depending on us here, but we have a lot of difficulties as far as just caring for them with the lack of health post. But we thank the Lord, since Andando came here, all of those problems are almost solved.

-Nene Sy, Midwife – Sama Toucouleur Health Post

They have helped us to build many health posts. Sometimes they build and sometimes they renovate the buildings that we have to make them functional. And also they give us some of the basic tools and medicines.  We had another building that was for vaccinations, but we could not use it - but now we can because Andando renovated it.

-Umu Barry, Head Nurse – Keur Soce Clinic

When Andando came here and assist us with this very nice health post, it did not cost us as Andando has taken care of everything. They brought the material and all the medicines, and that is the support we needed. Since that time, this health post has been working very well and we have really started to see the difference it can make in our community. We are so happy for that, that we no longer have any problem since Andando came here.

-Nene Sy

Andando is our first partner and is a very dedicated partner. We have seen all that Andando has does for us we thank Andando for that and we praise the lord for Andando.

-Umu Barry

Now when you tell them Andando, you see everybody, they are you know, they are lively because, even the word Andando they pronounce it with joy with happiness because they have known that really what Andando helped them to do.  They are very determined, and now they are very, when you talk about Andando they are so happy because they know that where Andando take them from and where they are now, this is what we can do.

-Boubou Sy

Project Updates & Meeting the President of Senegal

Senegal has opened its borders for travel once again! One of our founders, Fiona, was able to make our first country visit since the start of the pandemic. (International travel is currently permitted so long as the traveler produced a negative Covid-19 test.)

Visiting the school in Agnam (in the Podor region), a potential site for future development.

As soon as the regional lock down on travel was lifted, our team sprung into action. Three of four new gardens have been completed since June, one more is halfway done, two classroom projects and a health post have been started, all while maintaining the ongoing work. Fiona says, “Our staff are superstars!”

Visiting with the midwives and medical staff of the health post in Biddy.

In addition to spending some quality time with our team, Fiona also toured some new sites for future development in both the Podor and Keur Soce regions. Both regions were lush and green from the recent rains.

Members of the Keur Ngor community using sandbags to protect their garden from run off and flooding caused by excessive rains.

Some parts of Senegal have received as much as 8 inches of rain overnight which resulted in some localized flooding. Fortunately, our areas were not significantly impacted and communities have used sandbags to protect gardens and other areas from flooding.

Inside an elementary school classroom under construction in Donaye Tarédj.

The most unexpected thing that happened during the trip was a surprise visit from the President of Senegal, Macky Sall. The Mayor of Keur Soce was informed that the President would be stopping by Keur Soce on his way to see a government-financed rice project just outside of town. Mayor Malick Ndiegane said he could choose four people to meet the President and two should be from Andando!

We had the honor of meeting President Macky Sall in his recent visit to a government-financed rice project near our base in Keur Soce. One of our founders, Fiona, is pictured here with President Sall.

Boubou Sy (Andando Country Director) and Fiona represented Andando. President Sall asked about what we did, how often we were in Senegal, how long we had been there, etc. He spoke with us for quite some time and we were able to congratulated him on his government’s steps toward development. It was a huge honor to meet the President, a very successful trip.

Fiona and some of our staff demonstrating the variety of trees we are growing as part of our reforestation project.

Your support enables our staff to continue to build these strong connections in the community. Thank you for investing in their future!

Senegal and Covid-19

With a land mass similar to Oregon and nearly 16 million inhabitants, Senegal has been able to keep their Covid-19 numbers relatively low.

At the writing of this Senegal is reporting 12,446 cases of Covid-19 and 258 deaths, according to the World Health Organization. With a land area similar to Oregon and nearly 16 million inhabitants they have been able to keep their numbers relatively low.

Interregional travel has been drastically restricted over the last several months, but is slowly starting to open up. International travel is restricted to only residents of Senegal. (See updated information from the US Embassy in Senegal.)

We recently met with a team of traveling health educators near Keur Soce. This “Coronavirus Advice Car” travels around to various communities providing education so the population can protect themselves from Covid-19.

When visiting the rural villages, residents told them how Andando is supporting them during this time. They congratulated us on our fight against Covid-19 and our country director, Boubou, thanked them for their presence and advice saying “Know that you and us are sharing the fight.” Before their departure our team shared some face masks with them.

We are closely monitoring the situation and working with local authorities to keep our staff and communities safe.

Click here to see what our team is doing to help those most vulnerable and ways you can help.

From the Director - July 2020

Earlier this spring, we asked you to join with us in mobilizing emergency aid, and you responded in an impressive way! In two rounds of distributions, we were able to deliver over 100,000 pounds of rice, thousands of packs of soap and supplies, and several thousand masks!!

In the northern region of Podor, delivering emergency supplies of rice, soap, and masks. Many communities have been cut off from supplies due to travel restrictions related to Covid-19.

These efforts helped over 2,000 families! The communities’ responses have been those of deep gratitude, and expressing the profound appreciation for a partnership that is able to adapt quickly in challenging times.

Once the supplies reach the villages they are distributed to those most in need.

Food security has long been an issue in Senegal. The large portion of those we work with get by on daily earnings derived from small market activities, to go with the occasional boost such as those during harvest times.

Community members sharing their thanks with the Andando staff (wearing green shirts).

The emergency supplies you provided not only met emergent needs caused by the pandemic, but also will hold families over long enough to gain a foothold until the next harvest season. When life finally does get back to normal, we know that these communities will continue to be transformed. It’s not too late to help with this effort—your gift today will strengthen families’ resilience.

“Jéréjëf!” – Thank You!
Lewis Kiker, Executive Director

Help Rural Families Respond to Coronavirus

We are inspired by the resilience of those we serve. Every day, women return to the gardens to keep their families and communities fed. Every day, they have been working hard to overcome poverty and provide financial security for their families. But now the progress they have made is being threatened by conornavirus.

Food security is always an issue in Senegal, but it’s made even worse in these uncertain times. While the gardens continue to produce fruits and vegetables, other items such as rice, cooking oil, and soap are more difficult to get in rural communities.

Hand washing stations in each garden help protect hundreds of families.

In an effort to minimize the spread of coronavirus Senegal has closed schools and markets, banned gatherings, issued curfews, and limited transportation between regions in-country. This not only makes it difficult to earn an income but also makes access to basic items limited, thus driving the prices up for communities that are already vulnerable.

We are committed to ensuring that families have access to food and sanitation supplies and we need your help to do it. Will you join us by providing face masks, soap, rice, and other emergency supplies to families?

• $25 can supply one family with enough rice for a month

• $45 can provide reusable face masks for all of the women in one community garden

• $100 can provide soap, cleaning supplies, and education for 50 families

Our current programs are helping over 40,000 people in Senegal. We need your help to provide additional support during these uncertain times.

If you prefer to write a check, please make payable to:
Andando, PO Box 542, Jefferson, OR 97352

Update: Coronavirus and its impact in Senegal

Dear Andando Family,

With so much changing around the world on a daily basis, it is refreshing to see how people and communities are coming together to support one another. Keeping our staff and the participants in our programs safe is the highest priority for Andando.

In an effort to minimize the spread of coronavirus, Senegal has closed schools, banned religious and social gatherings, issued curfews, and limited transportation both at the border and in-country.

Diya (pictured left in green Andando shirt) is a health worker in the village of Ngor and is instrumental in teaching proper hand washing techniques to the community.

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In response, our staff collaborated with local health workers to provide hand washing stations in all gardens. They are also closely monitoring the recommendations from the government and making sure those in rural communities have access to the information and resources needed to stay safe and healthy

Village chiefs and mayors have expressed their gratitude for the Andando gardens, which are now the sole source of produce for many communities.

Customers come directly to the gardens from local villages to purchase their produce.

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We will continue to keep you updated both on the situation as it unfolds in Senegal, and with bright and inspiring stories of families and children who you have touched with your support!

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