Nangu — Empowering Communities In Senegal
Nangu means to accept in Wolof, a language spoken in Senegal, and some neighbouring West African nations.
It is also the chosen name for an association established by Mrs. Annie Cortet, a teacher, former trainer of teachers at Dijon's Institute for Masters Training (Institut Universitaire de Formation des Maîtres) and former president of Quétigny's social and cultural centre in the Dijon's suburb in France.
The idea came to her when, after numerous trips to Senegal, she realised the country needed help, not only to develop its economy and its educational sector, but also to empower its women who are important elements in the society.
As an association working to improve the situation in Senegal, Nangu proposes to be a platform for exchanges that can be used by individuals or associations that have a project aimed at improving education and empowering women.
In the same way, French-speaking RESPECT refugee communities will be able to use it to develop their project ideas.
In fact, the RESPECT refugee communities, like others located in this part of the world, have numerous ideas but don't have the means to implement them and bring them to sustainable development.
Living and working in a developed country, Annie knows that a lot of people and institutions are willing to assist.
Therefore, she decided to link good will from these people and institutions with organisations that need help with their projects that are aimed at improving development and education.
Nangu officially started its activities on September 24, 2007, and has already gathered a team of more than 10 volunteers with different backgrounds in France, and two others acting as its representatives in Senegal: Samba (specializing in the education field) and Babacar (responsible for actions in the village of Sendou and the Association des Enfants du Sendou (AES) [Association for Sendou's Children]).
Nangu's aim is to put people and associations who have development and educational projects in contact with suitable developed countries' partners, volunteers, and funders willing to give them the resources to set up and implement their project.
This way the association is promoting sustainable development, particularly in Senegal, basing its activities on two of the eight United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDG) which are to ensure primary education for everyone, and to promote gender equality and women's empowerment.
Any association, organisation or community that wants to benefit from this association just needs to have a project idea and send a put into contact request to Nangu, taking into account its conditions and selection criteria. This information is found on its website; however, it is only available in French.
Right now, Nangu is working on two projects. The first one has been set up by AES and includes, among other things, increasing the schooling and school success rate, improving school infrastructure, developing cultural activities for the children, and providing school furniture and books.
Thanks to the first fundraising drive, Nangu was able to buy some notebooks and children books, which will be distributed some time during January.
The children are also participating in the improvement of their school by raising funds, thanks to the dolls they are making with recycled materials. They represent good gift ideas and support Nangu's cause. Anyone interested in getting one of those dolls can contact Annie and ask her for further information.
The second project involves helping women in Sendou cultivate and sell vegetables, such as green beans and tomatoes, by giving them the necessary means to do so.
The local project manager – Aïssatou – recently found an unused garden, in which there are two wells, in the village. Meanwhile, Nangu is getting the women to organise themselves and think of the different possibilities to achieve their project's goals.
On April 6, 2008, in Dijon, France, an event organised by Nangu will be held in which various organisations and artists will exhibit and sell their work. New artists will be promoted as well.
The event will be a way to both promote solidarity and raise funds for Nangu's projects. Apart from the exhibition, Nangu will take the opportunity to sell the dolls made by Sendou's children and other promotional objects.
Nangu is still looking for partners, funders and volunteers for its projects. If anyone is interested in taking part or helping in anyway, please contact Annie Cortet at annie.cortet@orange.fr.