Microloans in Action- Interview with Samba Mbaye

Each year over 100 local farmers participate in our microloan program. They each receive small (about $150 USD) interest-free loans that they use to improve their farms, increase their yields and revenue, and ultimately provide a better life for themselves and their families. We are honored to introduce you to Samba Mbaye, who has benefited from this program. He would like to share in his own words what this program means to him, his family, and his larger community.

Samba working in his millet and peanut fields.

My name is Samba Mbaye, I have a wife and six children including three boys and three girls, I am a farmer and at the same time I assume the function of city councilor in Keur Socé.

Personally, I have received micro-loans from Andando. I use these funds to buy fertilizer to enrich my millet and peanut fields because I keep seeds very often. I have been able to fertilize four hectares (approx. 10 acres) of fields thanks to the accompaniment and support of the Andando staff who reinforced my motivation to profit from this unused field perimeter to hope for a good production.

Samba with his wife and children in their home.

The funding had a big impact on me. All of Andando’s actions impact on me. The loans have positively benefitted my family, because after the harvest we manage to preserve food (peanuts and millet) until the next winter. Andando supports us at a very important time in the life of the farmer because at this time it is difficult to access financial assistance.

Farmers at the annual microloan distribution.

Andando's actions impact my community because they really feel his support in many areas because Andando is open to everyone, he has no borders with anyone. It helps all the vulnerable layers of my community (women, children, farmers, etc.).

Eating a family meal around a communal bowl.

The support of farmers has an impact on the community, because after harvest farmers can sell to their community so they have something to eat, this contributes to nutrition, and food security, and has an impact on the economy as well. Andando’s projects have an impact on all communities, because Andando provides service to the whole community.

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There are many more farmers like Samba who would benefit from a little boost to improve the quality of life for their families. You can make a difference, donate today.

From the Director - July 2021

Early last month, we distributed nearly 100 microloans to farmers in the Keur Socé area. Our microloan program is one of the earliest programs we initiated in Senegal. Over ten years old (!) it has grown to be one of our more successful – and popular programs! – having reached well over 1,500 people!

Some of the farmers who received microloans at our June distribution.

This year’s recipients will take advantage of early pricing for crop inputs ahead of the rainy season. At just over $100 each, these interest-free loans help farmers in a big way to avoid exploitative lending practices that can eat up most of their profit at the end of the harvest season. The farmers keep more of what they grow in their own pocket, and build toward a better future.

A farmer with his son seeding their peanut field in anticipation of the rainy season.

“The funding had a big impact on me and my family. After the harvest we manage to preserve food (peanuts and millet) until the next winter. Andando supports us at a very important time in the life of the farmer because at this time it is difficult to access financial assistance.”

— Samba Mbaye – farmer and past microloan recipient in Keur Socé

With a 100% payback rate over the last several years, loans are recirculated in the community again and again, keeping the money and the growth local. This program embodies our philosophy of helping people help themselves, and meeting them where they are. We are proud of our team for safely and efficiently coordinating this program along with local authorities. Now we hope for rain and wish the farmers a happy and healthy growing season!

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

Meet Abdou, Garden Technician

Continuing in our series, we would like to introduce you to another member of our team who works on the ground in Senegal every day to build resilient, thriving communities. We think they are pretty amazing and are sure you will agree. This is the sixth in a series introducing the people that make it all possible. (Click here to see others in this series.) Meet Abdou, Garden Technician.

Abdou joined the Andando team as a Garden Technician in 2018.

Abdou Salam Ba joined the Andando team in 2018 as one of our Garden Technicians. He was born and raised in Fas Toucouleur with histhree brothers and two sisters. He met his wife Diawo, who is from a neighboring village, and together they raised eight children. They currently live in Fas Toucouleur with their children and 12 grandchildren.

An early family photo of Abdou with his wife, Diawo, and their four eldest children.

Growing up Abdou learned all about farming the way most children in the region do, from his parents. From a young age he developed a real knack and a deep appreciation for agriculture, animal husbandry, and household governance.

Abdou planting trees with a Peace Corps Volunteer.

After completing his schooling he went on to work with the Department of Water and Forestry. Through the years, Abdou continued his training with a variety of other agriculture organizations including the Peace Corps.

Transplanting young trees in his orchard, Abdou developed and maintains an impressive and productive family garden.

He developed maintains an impressive orchard on his own family plot and continues to work with Peace Corps Volunteers in the area.

Abdou filing planting sheaths with one his daughters at his family plot.

When his own children got old enough, he started passing down his knowledge to them, including his son, Mandaw (who joined our team in 2012 and manages all the area garden technicians, including Abdou.)

Abdou (right) teaching his son Mandaw (left) on their family farm.

Abdou (right) with his son, Mandaw (left), in the Fax Toucouleur Garden in 2019.

“Administratively, I am under the responsibility of my son but he always comes to me when he encounters difficulties and I always continue to strengthen his capacities.

When a person feels comfortable in their job, they will have the love and passion to work at any time of the day. We must have a love of work because only work can allow the individual to meet his needs and raise his status to the highest point.””

— Abdou Salam Ba

A magnificent mango tree, one of many food producing trees in Abdou’s orchard.

In his free time Abdou enjoys watching documentaries and listening to music, particularly from Mali and Guinea. He is also passionate about environmental issues and enjoys helping his neighbors and others in the area improve their soil for cultivation. He is known to make house calls when someone is experiencing particularly challenging instances of pests or other problems.

Abdou enjoys sharing his knowledge so everyone benefits. He is the Garden Technician at the Fas Toucouleur Women’s Garden Collective.

Your support enables Abdou to help his fellow citizens. Thank you for investing in their future.

Daiwo (Aobdou’s wife) holding one of their grandchildren, also named Abdou after his grandfather. (Abdou Jr is the son of Mandaw, Andando Lead Garden Technician in Keur Soce.)

We are excited and honored to introduce you to more of our team and share their hope for the future with you. Thank you for your support!

Click here to meet other staff.

We Need Your Help - Now Accepting Auction Donations

Do you have a special skill or item/product? Help fund life-changing programs in Senegal by donating an auction item for our fall fundraiser.

Items that do well are memorable or one-of-a-kind such as hand-made items, experiences, services, vacations (or stay-cations), etc.

Brew Your Own Beer with Founder Kevin has been a popular auction item for many years. What special skill or item/product can you share?

Need some ideas? These items have done well in the past:

• Baked Goods or Flowers Delivered Monthly

• Massages

• Instructional DIY (Brew Your Own Beer, Paint Party, etc.)

• Services such as lawn care, cleaning, painting, etc.

• Sports events or performances

Contact crystal@andando.org for more information.

It’s “Canning” Season in Senegal!

While we may be just starting the gardening season in the Pacific Northwest, and other parts of the United States, it’s “canning” season in Senegal!

The gardens often produce more food than the families can eat and sell and garden participants are creative in how they maximize their harvests.

Ndouima Sall has a plot in the Mboyo Garden.

“Since the garden has been in Mboyo, we are so happy, and we have a good production, especially of turnips.”

— Ndiouma Sall - Mboyo Garden

When gardens produce more than can be consumed, the women quickly set to preserving the excess so it will be available later.

“We have to process it in order to keep it. So we take the turnips, wash them, and transform them, putting them into bottles so they can stay for six months. And during the six months they wont perish.”

— Ndiouma Sall - Mboyo Garden

Racky Niane also has a plot in the Mboyo Garden. She explains the how preserving the turnips not only extends their shelf-life, but also adds additional forms of income for the women and their families.

“After we transform it we can sell it. A big bottle, which hold a kilogram (2 1/4 pounds), sells for 500cfa (about $1 USD). There is a smaller one, a half kilo, it sells for 250cfa. And finally a 250g bottle, sells for 125cfa.

We can use everything, we are not losing, even if we have an overproduction. We know how to keep it so we can use it in the future. ”

— Racky Naine - Mboyo Garden

Racky Niane, of the Mboyo Garden

The women of the Mboyo Garden are very happy for the help you have brought to their community. With your support more communities will benefit from increased food and financial security.

Fueling Future Leaders - Interview with Mbaye Ndiaye

This year was an unusual school year for students all over the world, and our partner schools in Senegal were no exception.  Students in rural Senegal faced even more food insecurity this year due to Covid. 

Students enjoying their breakfast outside of their classroom with Andando Project Manager, Camara (pictured in green shirt and green mask).

“We believe that to truly learn children must have proper nutrition to fuel their bodies and their brains. If they are hungry it’s very difficult for them to concentrate and learn.”

— Linda Tedisch - Altrusa Albany, International Chair

Thanks to a special grant from Altrusa International, Altrusa Albany, and additional support by Vibrant Village, over 1,500 students could count on getting a free, nutritious breakfast at school so they could focus on their studies.

“Altrusa International of Albany's main focus is the support of literacy and one of the ways to support literacy is to make sure the children's basic needs are met. We believe that to truly learn children must have proper nutrition to fuel their bodies and their brains. If they are hungry it's very difficult for them to concentrate and learn; helping support a nutrition program helps to meet that goal.

Being able to do that in another country helps us to extend help to the International Community . We feel honored to be able to partner with Andando in this mission.”

-Linda Tedisch, International Chair Altrusa Albany

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We sat down with school PTA leader, Mbaye Ndiaye, to get his take on how the nutritional program impacts students in his community.

My name is Mbaye Ndiaye, I am the deputy of the Association of Parents of Pupils in the community of Mbouma. I am a married farmer with a wife and I have eight children.

Following a fire which destroyed the temporary straw classrooms, Andando built us new brick and mortar classrooms in Mbouma. Since then, the school has experienced a great leap forward, a considerable advancement.

Exterior of a block of classrooms.

Andando has supported the school system in Mbouma by building these two new classrooms and adding a nutritional program since the resumption of school following the lifting of restrictions with the pandemic of Covid-19.

During the resumption of classes, Andando brought breakfast to all the students until the day of their final exams, including the teachers and examiners – everyone was well taken care of.

What Andando has done is enormous!

Before when we did not have the schools, gardens, and health posts, we lived in difficulty, poverty, and precariousness. Students had to travel far to neighboring villages to attend school. As soon as Andando built classrooms, our children were excited to stay in our village and complete their schooling, Andando made this possible.

Schools provide hope for a brighter future for the students attending them as well as the larger community.

It is good to have these basic social infrastructures because it improves the living conditions of everyone in the community. Since Andando came to our village, we have witnessed a lot of positive change: education and teaching have improved, fruits and vegetables are no longer difficult to access, and health care is closer to the people.

Gardens increase food security for hundreds of families by providing access to fresh fruits and vegetables, year round.

Everything that was difficult before is easy to have now.

My family personally has benefited because we can enroll our children in school. I have a lot of hope because having a school allows my children to learn in very favorable conditions. For my community, the health post helps us to have good health and better access to care. When we have good health, we have time to work and go to school.

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Thank you for making this possible for Mbaye and his community. There are many other parents like him, who want to provide their children with quality education for their future. You can join with them to make this happen, consider making a donation today! “Jerejef!” from us and from the people of Senegal!

Bottle Drop: April Match

From April 22-30 BottleDrop will match 20% of our Blue Bag credits and online donations.

BottleDrop is matching donations April 22 – 30, 2021.

During this time we will receive a 20% match of our Blue Bag credits AND online donations. (Did you know you can transfer funds from your BottleDrop account to Andando online?)

Need bags? Send us a message and we’ll put some in the mail for you: crystal@andando.org or 541.224.7990

Note: Normal bag limits still apply. A maximum of 10 Blue Bags per day can be returned per nonprofit without an appointment.

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Video: How to use Door Drop:

What is BottleDrop?
BottleDrop is a clean convenient way to return your bottles and cans and claim the deposit. There are two ways you can help Andando through BottleDrop:

1. Fill blue fundraising bags with cans and bottles. Drop off at your local BottleDrop location. Andando will receive the funds from your bags.

2. Already have a BottleDrop account? You can transfer funds directly from your account to Andando online. https://www.bottledropcenters.com/donate-nonprofits/
   

   Need bags? Send us a message and we’ll put some in the mail for you: crystal@andando.org or 541.224.7990

From the Director - April 2021

Our work has continued to expand and impact more people despite the challenges of the past year. One new project that we are particularly excited about is the launch of the Keur Socé High School.

Visiting with students who will benefit from the first high school in Keur Socé .

Prior to this year, students who completed middle school were forced to travel and board up to 20km (approximately 12 miles) away, or abandon their studies altogether. Unfortunately, this was the case with far too many promising young students.

Students at the local middle school will be among the first to attend the Keur Socé High School. This will reduce barriers to success for students from Keur Socé and surrounding villages.

In partnership with the Ministry of Education, we are building classrooms that will be used to educate the future leaders of the area for generations to come. We have already seen an overwhelming response with well over 100 students signed up for the first incoming class. With the increased demand, we are already expanding the project to accommodate all those who want to learn.

Construction is underway on the building that will serve as freshmen classrooms in the Keur Socé High School. This collaboration is over a decade in the making and will educate future leaders for generations to come.

“This is a great initiative for the future of sustainable education for the students of today and tomorrow in the municipality of Keur Socé. They no longer have to abandon their studies for lack of host families in distant high schools.”

— Mamadou Camara, Andando Keur Socé Program Coordinator

We are thrilled to get this underway, and really excited for what this means for the future of the region. It’s not too late to help with this effort—your gift today will make a big difference.

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

Meet Sall, Lead Garden Technician in Podor!

Continuing in our series, we would like to introduce to you to another member of our team who works on the ground in Senegal every day to build resilient, thriving communities. We think they are pretty amazing and are sure you will agree. This is the fifth in a series introducing the people that make it all possible. (Click here to see others in this series.) Meet Sall, Lead Garden Technician in Podor.

Sall joined the Andando team as a Garden Technician in 2016.

Souleyman Sall, who goes by Sall (pronounced Saul), joined the Andando team in 2016 as one of our Garden Technicians. He was born and raised in Koutango, a small village 36 kilometers (approx. 25 miles) south of Keur Socé.

The second youngest of six children -- four brothers and one sister-- Sall attended primary school in his home town. Sall’s family valued education and, despite not having a middle or high school in their village, they made the necessary sacrifices for Sall to attend high school in Kaolack (over an hour away by car).

Sall with his wife, Amanatou, and their daughter, Ndeye.

A good student, Sall continued on to university where he initially started studying Spanish, but eventually found his passion in agriculture. After graduating he worked with an organization teaching agriculture and animal husbandry, then in 2016 he joined the Andando team as one of our first Garden Technicians.

Checking to see how the seeds are germinating under the protective cover.

In 2018, when we expanded our programs into the northern region of Senegal, Sall was willing to relocate as he stepped into the role of Lead Garden Technician in Podor.

Sall works directly with the women in the gardens as well as is responsible for bringing on new technicians and training them up.

Technicians are a vital part of our team, because they work directly with the garden participants and leadership to ensure each garden is a success.

“I enjoy teaching and informing the women about agricultural techniques and ways to combat problems. I work with them on general cooperative management and structure, and navigating the social dynamics of the group.”

— Sall, Lead Garden Technician in Podor

Sall and his wife, Amanatou, welcomed their first child, Ndeye Dialle Sall, last year on April 4th (also Senegal’s Independence Day)

When he is not working Sall enjoys watching films and documentaries, especially anything from National Geographic. He cares deeply for his family and hopes to provide a good education and future for his children.

A hard worker and good teammate, Sall knows how to have fun with his fellow team members. Here he is pictured with Omar (left) and Gorgui (center) in a community garden.

Your support enables Sall to help his fellow citizens. Thank you for investing in their future.

We are excited and honored to introduce you to more of our team and share their hope for the future with you. Thank you for your support!

Click here to meet other staff.

Win this Basket!

To raise awareness of the work we are doing in Senegal, we are giving away a basket of goodies to one lucky winner. Drawing closes at 11:59p PT on March 31, 2021. The basket is on display at the Footwise in Corvallis, 301 SW Madison Ave #100.

You can Enter TWO ways*:

• Make a donation and/or

• Sign up for our newsletter

*Receive one entry into the drawing by signing up for our newsletter, and an additional entry for each $5 donation made. (Example a $10 donation will enter you into the drawing 2 times.). Drawing closes at 11:59p on March 31, 2021. Winner to pick up basket in Corvallis, Oregon or shipping arrangements can be made in the continental USA, winner to pay postage.

What’s in the basket?

• Handmade red and white basket with lid

• Two Andando engraved pint glasses

• Earrings made in Senegal using recycled Fanta soda cans

• Handmade basket tray with leather edging

• Andando magnet in the shape of Senegal with the Andando logo figures and baobab tree

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See How Your Gift Makes and Impact!

• $25 provides enough seeds for community gardens to feed five families for a year

• $50 feeds five students for a year

• $100 provides a small business owner with a microloan

• $250 stocks a health post with medical supplies for a year

Gardens:

• Fresh produce boosts family nutrition

• 25% increased income of from produce sales

• 26 gardens serving 2,500+ families

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Health:

• Birthing services & wellness check-ups

• 12 health posts, serving 30,000+ people

• Vaccinations & preventative care
  
  

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Education:

• Nutritional program enhances learning

• New classrooms & latrines increase student capacity

• 50% increase in student test scores
  
  

International Women's Day 2021

Happy International Women's Day! We want to honor the mothers and daughters, medical professionals, gardeners, entrepreneurs, and teachers. Who are all improving communities in rural Senegal.

Your financial contributions supports the efforts of these women to build a brighter future for their families, communities, and generations to come.

International Women's Day is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. Learn more at https://www.internationalwomensday.com/About

TODAY: Listen to us on the air at 91.9FM KRVM!

We are honored to be featured on Focus on Community, a special segment on KRVM that features local nonprofits.

Listen while Paul Schwartzberg, of 91.9 KRVM, interviews our very own Crystal Kelley TODAY, Friday, March 5th at 1:00pm PT.

Tune in at 91.9FM or online at KRVM.org

If you missed it, you can listen to the recording below.

Focus on Community - Andando - March 5, 2021

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Win this Basket!

To raise awareness of the work we are doing in Senegal, we are giving away a basket of goodies to one lucky winner. Drawing closes at 11:59p PT on March 31, 2021.

You can Enter TWO ways:

• Make a donation and/or

• Sign up for our newsletter

Gardens:

• Fresh produce boosts family nutrition

• 25% increased income of from produce sales

• 26 gardens serving 2,500+ families

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Health:

• Birthing services & wellness check-ups

• 12 health posts, serving 30,000+ people

• Vaccinations & preventative care
  
  

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Education:

• Nutritional program enhances learning

• New classrooms & latrines increase student capacity

• 50% increase in student test scores
  
  

“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.

Thank you from the Director - January 2021

2020 was a year unlike any other, but with your help we managed to make it a huge success! We started off strong, only to have our plans derailed by the coronavirus. However, as Senegal mitigated the effects of the virus and began to open back up, we were able to take advantage of folks eager to get back to work.

This year, we expanded our garden program into five new communities, bringing the total 26 gardens that serve thousands of people boosting nutrition and income.

One of the garden patrons transporting a cart full of produce to an outlying village.

We were able to build classrooms at three different schools, as well as kick-off work at the long-anticipated Keur Soce High School, giving kids a renewed vision for their future.

Building has begun at the long-anticipated Keur Soce High School!

Two more rural health posts were completed that meet the healthcare needs of people where it is most crucial, right at home in their neighborhoods.

The Paymar health post is up and running, here the midwife, Awa Diaw (right), is pictured with another health care worker.

It is a testament to the strength and resiliency of our partners and their communities that we were able to have this level of success during unpredictable times.

With your investment, we plan to build on these successes in 2021 with the expansion of our garden program into six new communities, more classrooms to empower young students, and additional health posts to keep people healthy during these difficult times. Your contribution makes these programs possible, and the Senegalese send along a BIG “Jerejef!” – Thank You!

Lewis Kiker
Executive Director

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.

Meet Gorgui, Garden Technician in Podor!

Continuing in our series, we would like to introduce to you to another member of our team who works on the ground in Senegal every day to build resilient, thriving communities. We think they are pretty amazing and are sure you will agree. This is the fourth in a series introducing the people that make it all possible. (Click here to see others in this series.) Meet Gorgui, Garden Technician in Podor.

Gorgui joined the Andando team as a Garden Technician in 2017.

Alassane Ba, who goes by Gorgui (pronounced Gore-gee) joined the Andando team in 2017 as one of our Garden Technicians. He grew up in a small village near Keur Soce and is childhood friends of another on our team, Mandaw.

Working as a team, Gorgui (left) is pictured here with Mandaw (center) and a local toolmaker (right), holding brand new tools for the garden cooperatives.

After completing school, Gorgui became interested in market gardening. He gained some hands-on experience before approaching a local Master Farmer for permission to train under them. With these skills Gorgui was a perfect fit to join our intern program, after which he came on to our staff full-time.

Technicians are a vital part of our team, because they work directly with the garden participants and leadership to ensure each garden is a success.

“Gardening is one of the trades that I enjoy the most, it gives happiness, that is why I embraced this profession.”

— Gorgui Ba, Garden Technician

While Gorgui takes his work very seriously, he also knows how to have a good time and is known as a bit of a jokester with fellow staff.

In this family picture (taken in July 2019) Gorgui is with his wife, Sebe, and their two sons, Amadou and Cheikh. Since then they have welcomed their first daughter, Fatou (pictured below).

Sebe with seven-month-old daughter, Fatou.

When he’s not working you will find Gorgui enjoying sports, specifically “Lamb” (Wolof for Senegalese wrestling.) This sport has strong connections to traditional wrestling in Senegal and deep cultural meaning for the athletes and the fans alike.

Your support enables Gorgui to help his fellow citizens. Thank you for investing in their future.

Gorgui with members of his extended family.

We are excited and honored to introduce you to more of our team and share their hope for the future with you. Thank you for your support!

Click here to meet other staff.

Bottle Drop: Holiday Match & 12 Days of Give-mas

BottleDrop’s Holiday Match will take place from November 15 – December 1. During this time BottleDrop will match 20% of our Blue Bag credits and online donations. The match will be done on a first come, first served basis, up to $12,000 in total match dollars.

Need bags? Send us a message and we’ll put some in the mail for you: crystal@andando.org or 541.224.7990

From Nov 15- Dec 1 BottleDrop will match 20% of our Blue Bag credits and online donations.

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Social Media Contest:

A second part of the fun is the 12 Days of Give-mas social media contest. From November 15 – December 23, make as many social media posts showcasing your Holiday Give efforts. This can be on Facebook, Instagram, and/or Twitter. See more details on how to participate below.

Then, from December 12 – 23, BottleDrop will pick one lucky nonprofit at random *each day* and issue a $250 credit to that account – for a total of $3,000 in social media prizes. BottleDrop will notify winners by commenting on the fundraiser’s post.

12 Days of Give-mas Guidelines:

• Posts must be public and tag BottleDrop and Andando (so we can see them!)

• You can post on on Facebook , Instagram, and/or Twitter.

• Please tag us in whatever social channel you make the post - @oregonbottledrop and @TheAndandoFoundation on Facebook, @oregonbottledrop and @andandofoundation on Instagram or @ORBottleDrop and @theandando on Twitter.

• Posts must include the hashtag #HolidayGive2020. Feel free to use other hashtags to further your reach!

• Posts can be made by the official nonprofit page or by one of our supporters.

• Posts must clearly identify the nonprofit organization in order to be considered for a prize.

• Posts must include a photo or video that helps showcase your efforts. Whether you’re collecting containers, filling up Blue Bags, dropping Blue Bags, or just having fun – it’s a great way to show others how they can get involved and help support Andando with their bottles and cans. Be creative and have fun!
  
  Fine Print:
  By tagging Oregon BottleDrop in social media posts, participants agree to allow their content, such as photos, videos, or text, to be used and shared by BottleDrop for promotional purposes.
  

Video: How to use Door Drop

What is BottleDrop?
BottleDrop is a clean convenient way to return your bottles and cans and claim the deposit. There are two ways you can help Andando through BottleDrop:

1. Fill blue fundraising bags with cans and bottles. Drop off at your local BottleDrop location. Andando will receive the funds from your bags.

2. Already have a BottleDrop account? You can transfer funds directly from your account to Andando online.
   Need bags? Send us a message and we’ll put some in the mail for you: crystal@andando.org or 541.224.7990

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

Meet Camara, Andando’s Project Manager, Keur Soce

We are very fortunate to have a dedicated and passionate team on the ground in Senegal, working every day to build resilient, thriving communities. We think this team is pretty amazing and are sure you will agree. This is the third in a series introducing the people that make it all possible.(Click here to see others in this series.) Meet Camara, our Keur Soce Project Manager.

Camara joined the Andando team as our Keur Soce Project Manager in 2016.

Camara presenting at a team meeting.

Mamadou Camara, who also goes by Camara (pronounced Ka-mara), started with Andando in 2016.  Though Camara was born and raised in Kaolack (a larger town 13 miles from our offices in Keur Soce) most of his extended family is in Guena, Mali.  He is the middle child with eight siblings.

After high school, Camara attended Gaston Berger University in Saint-Louis (northern region of Senegal) where he studied Business.  Earning a professional license in Project Management he went on to manage a real estate agency. Prior to joining Andando, Camara organized a community development project using microfinance (much like our microloan program).  This included providing trainings in financial education, life skills, and entrepreneurship. 

With this broad and extensive expertise, Camara was the perfect choice to fill the role of our Project Manager in Keur Soce where he oversees all of our projects including our nutritional program in schools and working with health post workers. 

Camara (right) with Mandaw (left) distributing soap and other sanitation supplies to a local health post.

Cultivating and maintaining strong relationships with local leadership ensures our programs have the local support needed to be successful. Pictured left to right (Camara, Boubou, Deputy Governor, Mandaw)

He works with Mandaw (Lead Garden Technician) to keep the microloan and community garden programs running smoothly. He is also responsible for collaborating with the village chiefs, mayors and the sub-prefect.  Cultivating and maintaining strong relationships with these leaders is vital because we need the permission and blessing of local authorities in order to initiate our programs in their communities.

Part of Camara’s responsibilities include overseeing the education and nutrition programs, which have increased students’ test scores.

Camara and his wife, Mariama Keita, have two children: a five-year-old daughter, Fanta; and their son, Omar, who just turned two years old earlier this month. Family is incredible important to Camara:

“Africa has sociologically its own definition of the family. Each person comes from a family, and we are committed to helping our families, to meet their needs at all levels because in Africa it is beautiful to work, however everything will be returned to the benefit of the family.”

— Camara

Camara with his wife, Mariama, and their two children, Omar and Fanta.

When he’s not working you will find Camara enjoying sports or listening to music. He especially likes Salif Keita, a musician from Mali. Your support enables Camara to help his fellow citizens. Thank you for investing in their future!

We are excited and honored to introduce you to more of our team and share their hope for the future with you. Thank you for your support!

(Click here to see others in this series.)

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!