Our activities in Senegal – Thiés

Since August 2011 we have a partnership with Francois Diof and his project AVANCEE (Afrique Vision et Action Novatrice pour l'Emergence).

AVANCEE is dedicated to the cultivation of organic vegetables and fruit, in order to generate income in the villages and also to provide better nutrition for the villagers themselves. AVANCEE is organized as a cooperative. The income fills a common fund from which the employees are paid.

This allows the families to send their children to school. Parallel a healthcare system is built. From the common fund drugs are bought and free health examinations organized.

In October 2011 we installed the first solar home solar system with matching TV. The women are now connected with the outside world. The TV is also used for training purposes within the 18-month course.

- For information about our activities click on the logos -

DakarGoudiriTambacoundaZiguinchorThies

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The project aims to halt the rural exodus and to reduce the high illiteracy rate.

From October begins an 18-month training course for women in different vegetable cultivation methods, including reading and writing. After that the women are able to cultivate their land independent and profitable.

AVANCEE established 2008 and Francois have already achieved a great lot. The first project includes two acres on which vegetables and fruit trees were planted as well as millet, maize and rice. In the project 33 women and 15 young people are already working. The final harvest included 12 tons of onions, 4 tons of potatoes, 3 tons of tomatoes, 5 tons of beans and 7.5 tons of eggplant. From October an additional 5 hectares of land will be cultivated and the next harvest is hoped to be 35 tons of onions and 25 tons of potatoes.

In 2012, 33 women completed training, 150 young people found a job, about 100 more women will participate in a primary school built in 2012, and much more. Now this will be continued with the next village in another region.

And what is the role of Bonergie?

AVANCEE will order for all women involved a solar lantern on micro-credit basis in the next few weeks. This motivates the women enormously. Finally they have electric light in their houses. Then all together save for a solar system with a television for the village. A solar pump in combination with a water tower will greatly facilitate future irrigation and the staff can concentrate on the cultivation and sale.