Casamance – the region Ziguinchor

Etienne Badji and his project ADIC ARC 15 have been partners of Bonergie since July 2011.

In October 2011 we installed the first solar home systems.(click the photo, please)

Since the 1980's the Casamance is a region of civil war. The country of Gambia which is located in the middle of the territory of Senegal almost cuts the Casamance off from the rest of the country.

The „Mouvement des forces démocratique de la Casamance“ - MFDC aims for the independence of Casamance, a conflict that has taken place since the 1990's by armed confrontations with the government. Already 5000 people have fallen victim to this civil war.

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DakarGoudiriTambacoundaZiguinchorThies

Watch the photos:

Bonergie in der Casamance- click image -

The precious cargo such as panel, batteries and tools are unloaded.

For further transportation, we need a donkey cart.

Everybody is helping to lift the solar panel on the roof.

The solar panel reflects the excitement of our first customers.

The team of Bonergie has once again done a great job. The lamps are installed and bring light into the house. This house serves also as a school for the little ones.

In the setting sun, we are on our way home. Everyone is exhausted but happy. The first house in the village now has electricity and light. Later we were told that all the villagers have spent the night in the house, to enjoy the light.

Visiting another village in the Casamance. We discuss with Iphgenia, the commissioner of a women's organizations, how we can electrify the village. Her matter of the heart are the artisans, such as the seamstresses. The story is really sad, but we had to laugh: Next year are elections once again and Iphgenia shows us the fourth generation of electricity pylons, which have been installed since. Electricity, however, never came. Now the women take it into their own hands.

Spontaneously the women decided to buy the first two solar home systems. They pay the first two monthly installments immediately.

Our reward in the evening: sunset on the river Casamance. The muezzin calls to prayer and we enjoy the peaceful atmosphere.

Ferry over the Gambia river on the way to the region Casamance in Senegal. 7 o'clock in the morning.

Sunrise over the Gambia river. On the right side is our car. Have a look at our cool new luggage rack - African style, handmade.

Ready??? Go!!!

I love adventures...

The most incredible landscape - Casamance. Green, green, green. Giant trees.

Our partner Etienne has prepared this trip for many weeks. Many villages were waiting for us.

A village where we did a presentaton.

What can Bonergie do to develop the village with solar energy? Intensive talks...

'Wow, I can recharge my mobile and I have light - it's like a miracle'

Difficult roads. Thank God we have a 4x4...

The Casamance due to its sub-tropical climate is the most fertile region of Senegal. Before the civil war it was the granary of the country. Because of the armed conflict, many people have migrated, the fields were left uncultivated and are heavily mined.

An economic development of the country is very difficult. The population consists mostly of the DIOLAS. The predominant religion is Christianity, but also Islam. The DIOLAS are also animists, who see in every tree, animal and river its own soul. There are sacred forests, in which one retreats to pray.

The project Bonergie Casamance with our partner Etienne Badji is clearly a peace project.

Through access to energy we want to rebuild together with the villages the economic development, bio-agriculture farming, fish farming, eco-tourism and much more. The hope is that these projects motivate the migrated people to come back and may offer them a basis for a life. Definitely an essential prerequisite for peace.