Because I am a Girl

Project review

For more than two years, Plan has been implementing an extensive initiative across seven African countries: Senegal, Sierra Leone, Ghana, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Mali. This multi-country program called PAGES (Promoting African Grassroots Economic Security) includes building and equipping schools; training teachers; and providing women, youth, and men with income-generating knowledge and resources. 

Your gift has been directed to this project in Senegal, where we are working with communities to construct classrooms, latrines, and water points, as well as create Village Savings and Loan Associations. While these activities will benefit all children and their families, they include a particular focus on opening opportunities for girls and women, who face additional barriers to accessing education, employment, and financial resources. 

Creating healthy and environmentally friendly schools

Thanks to your support, Plan has constructed 15 latrine blocks and 20 water points in schools across three Western regions of Senegal. The schools with new water and sanitation facilities have active student health clubs, which promote proper hygiene practices and help to keep their school environment clean. In 10 communities where school improvements took place, reforestation campaigns occurred, involving 124 community members. These campaigns included environmental education and tree planting to revitalize the areas surrounding the schools. Participating community members planted 775 eucalyptus trees, 36 mango trees, and 36 orange trees. 

Community-led change 

Proving their motivation to improve their own resources, some community members have  taken action to expand on Plan’s activities with their own means. In one village of the Kaolack region, community members committed to building two extra classrooms. At a different school, the principal took the initiative to build an administrative office to store new textbooks and materials. Another principal enlisted teachers and 435 pupils to select and plant a variety of seeds. As the seedlings grow into trees, not only will they beautify the school environment, but those bearing fruit (such as mangoes) will provide food and a source of income to support school maintenance and supplies. These locally-driven efforts represent a vital goal of development work: propelling community members to continue progress with their own ideas, and without external assistance. 

Thank you

Thank you for helping to improve education and economic security for children and their families in Senegal. Much has been accomplished over the past two years, setting the stage for continued progress and sustainable change as the project moves forward.