As an Environmental Ed volunteer, I'm working in the PROSPERE framework, and a lot of my ongoing projects and day-to-day activities are defined by its goals and objectives.
I conducted a baseline survey in my community to find out where we stand and determine how best to spend my time. I'm currently getting started with an environmental club in the school, gardening lessons with local women's groups, work with the health hut staff, and meeting with my community committee about future projects. Peace Corps will come out in late November to check on things and make sure everyone's on the same page.
Gardens of Moringa
A group of volunteers in the Kolda region did a donkey rally to raise awareness about malnutrition and moringa olifeira, and raised money to start the Gardens of Moringa (GOM) fund. Beginning later this year, I'll be conducting trainings with each of the 6 women's groups in Doundodji on moringa-intensive beds (handy how-to video here). GOM funds will constitute 75% of the project funding, and 25% will come from community contributions; the money be used to purchase gardening supplies to be used in each of the 6 gardens. Once the gardens get going, we'll get back together to learn about moringa nutrition, harvesting, and preparation.
Malaria Prevention
In August, all of the 13 volunteers in Linguere got together to tour around all of our villages and do skits, make mosquito-repelling neem lotion, and educate everyone about malaria, prevention, and testing. It was a great success, we even got some press from the Stomping Out Malaria initiative!
