Make a Difference :: Vote for Project Irrigitation Initiation

Have I told you about my cousin Andy who’s serving with the Peace Core in Senegal? No? Well gosh, I really should have!

Andy left for Senegal in 2007 and recently re-signed to stay for a third year as a videographer. He’s done some amazing work in Kedougou in the southeastern corner of Senegal and has been sharing his stories via his blog (when he has computer access).

Currently he is seeking funding for Project Irrigation Initiation (go to the link for all the details), which has been approved by the Peace Corps.

Despite the fact that Kedougou receives more annual rainfall than the rest of the country, it remains one of the poorest regions due to untapped water sources. The project will help four farmers from different villages install year-round water sources and effective irrigation systems in their fields, allowing them to improve food security and increase annual income. They will serve as demonstration farmers for the entire greater community.

The farmers themselves will be contributing 10% of the project costs in cash, which is a monstrous sum for them. The other 15% will come in the form of an in-kind contribution with 4 men providing much of the required labor.

The other 75% must be raised from other sources and this is where you come in, he needs to raise $8766 before they can begin work on the project and of that they still need to raise $4,880. He’s found a potential source of funding through Africa Rural Connect and voting is currently open for he next project to receive $3000 in funding. And this is where you come in as we’ve (family and friends) all voted and he’s 102 votes behind the leading project.

My mom, rightfully, reminded me tonight that there’s this network out there in the world that can help us help Andy get $3000 in funding for his project. That network is you! Here’s what my mom had to say (and she says it better than I do):

so we had family dinner with Bruce and company tonite, totally local of course, Jondahl chicken, tomatoes sliced, cuke and onion salad, corn from the farm by Betsy, local ice cream with strawberries from the garden.

We figured out that with your help Andy could be in first place in the voting for funding. Your blog followers just need to understand that the irrigation project will help to make the villages locavores. Senegal is a food poor country, they import a huge percentage of their food especially in the larger cities that are “international’ in flavor. The voting is coming to a close and Andy is in 4th place. anything we can do to help is greatly appreciated.

Won’t you vote for Project Irrigation Initiation today to help these four farmers get the water system they need to grow food to feed themselves and their villages? Come on, it’s really easy! All you have to do is create an account (it’s free!) and then ENDORSE the project (the same as voting). Be sure that you actually go back to the project after you create your account and clink on ENDORSE, otherwise you haven’t really voted. That’s it. We’ve got 13 days left to make it happen, won’t you help?

*****

Also, if you’re in the Twin Cities area you can attend a benefit concert at O’Gara’s Garage in St. Paul on Thursday night to support the project. You can also make a direct tax-deductible contribution through the Peace Corps website – remember, even just $10 is a lot of money in Africa.