Senegal – two months of commitment on site

Peggy has been involved with FriendCircle WorldHelp for many years. Her mother Elke had been coordinating the knitting project in Eberswalde for a long time, during which tens of thousands of woolen hats were made for children in cold regions. At the time, Peggy was already actively involved with her own young children. As they grew older, Peggy fulfilled her long-held wish to embark on a project trip herself.

After months of preparation, discussions, and searching for supporters, she traveled to Senegal mid-March 2025 for two months. Alexandra from FriendCircle WorldHelp had also signaled that support could be provided on-site, should specific needs arise.

Arrival in Senegal – First Impressions and Need for Action

After a few weeks on-site, it became clear where help was needed: the local school, a public institution for children from disadvantaged backgrounds, was in a dilapidated state. Many classrooms were sparsely furnished, benches and tables were severely damaged, roofs and steps were in need of repair. Basic school supplies were lacking. In close coordination with the FriendCircle WorldHelp team, it was decided to offer targeted support.

Furniture for 441 Students

One focus was on providing functional seating for the school. For 441 students, 221 benches were needed. The inventory revealed that 39 benches were in acceptable condition, 189 could be repaired with new boards, screws, and manual labor. Additionally, 35 new benches were ordered – each consisting of a table and a seat, crafted by a local carpenter. The cost per unit was 43 euros.

Repairs to Buildings

With additional funds, roofs and steps were repaired – cement, sand, and concrete were sourced locally, and a local mason took on the work. Around 300 euros helped achieve significant progress in this area.

A Small School Garden – Big Plans

Another project was the creation of a school garden, developed together with a teacher. The centerpiece is the so-called "half-moon technique," where crescent-shaped indentations capture rainwater and direct it into the soil. This method is ideal for dry regions and met with great interest. Peggy organized a presentation at the school for teachers, parents, farmers, and representatives from the nearby prison, whose gardeners were also interested in the concept.

A well (630 euros) and a fence (2,105 euros) to secure the field (from wild animals) have already been commissioned. The use of the field by other local groups is also planned.

Teaching Materials and Everyday Essentials

In addition to infrastructure projects, everyday supplies were also addressed: worksheets, notebooks, chalk, compasses, rulers, and other materials were purchased. The demand was high – in some classes, materials had to be temporarily withheld to ensure fair distribution.

Practical matters, such as organizing a daily transportation service for Peggy, her children, teachers, and companions, were also considered carefully. Renting a car would have been too expensive, so a taxi driver was hired to reliably handle the weekly trips for a set fee.

Small Initiatives with Long-Term Impact

Peggy also tackled smaller tasks: an old, littered pond on the school grounds was cleaned and transformed into a small biotope. A trash area was designated after it became clear that there was no waste disposal service. A solution for waste disposal in daily school life was also found.

The repair work on the benches has now been completed, new furniture has been delivered, and the first half-moons have been created. Further activities with other schools and landowners are planned. In close coordination with FriendCircle WorldHelp, a variety of projects have been launched and implemented within a few weeks – always with a focus on the concrete needs of the community.