Senegal | Support us, Give Now

The West African nation of Senegal is one of the most stable democracies in Africa. After gaining independence from France in 1960, Senegal has been very successful at exercising political participation and peaceful leadership. Senegal’s economy is mainly based on agriculture, with 78 percent of its 12.8 million people employed in the sector.

Celebrate Senegal Independence Day 04 April, 2011 by supporting the work of The Hunger Project | Give Now 

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• Be inspired by Marieme’s story, who is helping shape our work in Senegal.
• Meet our Senegal Country Director | Madeleine Cisse.
• See how The Hunger Project celebrated the 100th International Women’s Day on 8 March.
• Find out about over 500 women who are cultivating and processing organic hibiscus.
• Read about Khady Seck, who is combining the strengths of local women. 
• See photos  of our work in Senegal, compiled for Senegal Independence Day.
• Read the 2010 report detailing progress on our work across Senegal

Our Work in Senegal

Senegal was the first country of intervention for The Hunger Project in Africa; we have been working there since 1991. The Hunger Project Senegal is now empowering 232,017 partners in 10 epicentre communities that include 232 villages. Through our integrated approach to rural development (the Epicentre Strategy), we are enabling people to successfully access the basic services needed to achieve the Millennium Development Goals and lead lives of self-reliance.

Increasing Food Security

As part of the Epicentre Strategy, we continue to empower and support farmers with training and materials to increase and diversify food production. In light of the recent food crisis, the food stocks at the epicentres have played a significant role by continuing to provide food grains to the communities protecting them from sudden hunger.

Promoting Education

Adult and child literacy programmes conducted in local and national languages are being carried out at epicentres as well as literacy centres. The Hunger Project in Senegal has been very successful in making available primary schools that have benefitted young children in the epicentre communities where they get one nutritious meal a day.

Health

Piloted in the self-reliant Mpal Epicentre, The Hunger Project Senegal, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, has been successful with the introduction of nutritional supplements for children. This product, which is processed and packaged at the epicentres, has improved the health of children in the communities while providing an additional source of income. Seeing the high demand by mothers for the nutritional supplement at Mpal Epicentre, The Hunger Project Senegal is now working on industrial production of the feeding bags in other epicentre communities.

Microfinance

Through our microfinance programme, The Hunger Project has distributed US$1,836,116 to a total number of 36,739 people in 17 epicentres, with an average loan size of US$35. Three epicentres that have become self-reliant now have government-recognised rural banks.

Meet Madeleine our Country Director in Senegal, learn more about the key initiatives that are empowering people to end their own hunger or take action now and get involved