Potou, Senegal
Population |
31000 |
Villages |
6 |
Potou is located in the Niayes zone of Senegal, bordering the maritime fringe of the north. The area represents the coastal-artisanal fish farming system, where the majority of the inhabitants practice agriculture, livestock production and fishing. The Niayes is a fragile area under tremendous strain. The use of chemicals and organic inputs has negative effects on the environment, especially the groundwater, and public health. Inadequate management of household refuse and domestic and industrial waste products poses important problems and exposes the population to medical risks. The mineral and organic manures used in the area contribute to the pollution of the ground water of quaternary sands by nitrates, which can create various pathologies in animals and people. Beyond the problems raised by the fertilizers, the community faces a high risk of pollution by pesticides, particularly persistent pesticides, which represent 10% of those used in the region.
Village Characteristics by Sector
Food insecurity is prevalent in the area: 20% of children under five are malnourished. Soil fertility is declining due to intensive agricultural production, minimal use of fertilizers, shortening of fallow usage and deforestation. In intensive horticultural production fields soil salinization is increasing due to inappropriate water management. Artisanal fishing is important but unregulated and lacks technical improvements.
Diseases such as malaria, respiratory illnesses, skin problems and diarrhea are prevalent in the community. The nearest health center is located in Léona, 7 km away from the Potou research village. Accessing the center is a significant and arduous burden for the villagers, with barely visible and inadequate roads covered by sandy dunes.
The education challenges facing the Potou cluster are many. There is only one primary school comprised of 12 classrooms and one secondary school located in Léona (7 km away) for the entire community. Non-protected provisional shelters are used in place of actual classrooms. These shelters lack latrines, running water, school materials and supplies and classroom furniture. Only 51 percent of boys and 39.5 percent of girls go to school.
Only 20 percent of the cluster has access to safe water. There is a major need for hydraulic equipment and an expansion of the current network through the creation of additional water tower and wells.
Intervention Highlights
Business development, a new piped water system, school meal programs, improvements in transport and construction of schools and clinics are all important interventions that are helping to transform the community of Potou. Additionally, the Nike Foundation’s program in Potou, directed by AWOMI, stresses the participation of young women and girls in the core interventions of the MVP. Credit support, training in economic and financial management and scholarships for young women are all part of a program to empower women and girls.
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Agriculture: Increase crop yields and decrease hunger |
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| The project introduced improved onion, cabbage, watermelon and hibiscus seeds to increase commercial crops. The project also began supporting drip irrigation on a small scale. Finally, farmers continue to experience improved crop yields, including peanuts, cowpea, millet, hibiscus, watermelon and onion, an important crop for livelihoods in Potou. |
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Health |
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| The MVP has finished construction of new clinics in Potou, and refurbishment of the existing clinic is underway. These clinics are staffed by trained nurses, who are significantly supported by the efforts of about 90 community health workers (CHWs) and a few health facilitators. CHWs monitor conditions at the household level and encourage residents to seek treatment at the posts and clinics when necessary. Their efforts have helped ensure that a significant majority of recorded deliveries take place with professional supervision at cluster clinics. |
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Education: Increase enrollment and improve quality |
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| The education team in Potou has exceeded targets for classroom construction and school meals, significantly improving the conditions for teachers and students. School furniture, supplies and a database have also been supplied by the project. A successful collaboration with BuildOn has helped the Potou team complete all planned classrooms, plus four others. In addition, more than 3,000 students now receive school meals. |
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Infrastructure |
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| Thanks to a successful partnership between JM Eagle and PEPAM, the Senegalese government entity charged with managing water and sanitation projects, the MVP installed an extensive piped water network with taps at 119 community locations. Combined with pre-existing infrastructure, this network provides clean, piped, drinking water to over 99 percent of cluster residents. Public institutions are being connected to electricity and the project has completed two Multi-media Centers, with plans underway to provide internet access to the community. |
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Gender Empowerment |
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| The Nike Foundation's program in Potou, directed by AWOMI, stresses the participation of young women and girls in the achievement of the MDGs. By working with a gender advisor hired by AWOMI, the capacities of women and girls are being reinforced the in the Villages and gender issues are being integrated into the core interventions. Things like credit support, training in economic and financial management, and scholarships for young women are all being rolled out through this program. |
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