DEFARASKAN: IMPROVING LIVES IN WEST AFRICA
OUR MISSION
DefarASKAN promotes human dignity in Senegal. It pushes for a culture of support and entrepreneurship to create more economic and educational opportunities as ways to improve living conditions in this sub-Saharan African country.
OUR STORY
Working Towards a Better Tomorrow
Dealing with the challenges of today requires problem-solvers who bring different perspectives and are willing to take risks. Defaraskan.com emerged out of a pursuit to inspire and support the community, and a desire for actions to speak louder than words. Founded in 2018, we’re an organization driven by progressive ideas, bold actions, and a strong foundation of support. Contact us to learn more and get involved.
OUR PROJECTS
Programming and community engagement are at the core of our strategy. We invest heavily in supporting the development of integrated solutions and delivering reliable tools to those who need them most. Discover more about our innovative campaigns below and get in touch to stay up to date regarding our latest efforts.
EDUCATION
Brightening Minds
1. Financial Aid and School Supplies
Although the Ministry of Education has been investing large amounts of money in the education system, the bulk of it goes to paying teachers and administrators' salaries. Children from low-income families see their parents struggle at the beginning of every school year to scrap money to buy clothes, and school supplies. It is not because these children are from such families that they are not capable. Oftentimes their learning is hampered by real social constraints, and it takes a little push to get them motivated and willing to do well in the classroom. Our goal is to work with donors and volunteers to set up a financial aid system and create a school supplies bank in order to help these kids get what they need to learn and be fulfilled.
2. School Libraries
Creating an environment that is conducive to learning requires that we invest in a good library with a variety of reading materials. Our goal is to work with public schools to help them get books on their library's shelves. Having a good school library in which they can practice and improve their artistic and reading skills will make going to school more exciting for them.
3. School Playgrounds
Senegalese primary and secondary public schools need adequate playgrounds for schoolchildren to use during recess. Schools have plenty of space when schoolchildren can run around, but no slides, swings, monkey bars are put in place to enable these kids to enjoy themselves playfully during recess. Our organization seeks to create safe playground spaces for primary and secondary public schools in specific regions of Senegal. Donations of playground equipment or any volunteering to help build playgrounds for these schools will hugely contribute to this important goal.
FARMING
Food Security
Given that 50 % of the Senegalese population is rural, and given that farming is an important part of this nation's culture of food production, DefarASKAN strongly believes that this sector needs to be promoted among the youth in urban Senegal in order to change their mentality about agriculture. The following methods will be used to effect this change:
* secure land for farming purposes (garden farming, poultry farming);
* train our farm employees and volunteers to acquire better farming skills;
* establish partnerships and sponsorships that lead to significant material support,
secure resources, and better marketing strategies (small farming equipment, access to water and its management, sale of our farming products);
* work with local schools to organize field trips to our farm.
The knowledge gained in this farm along with the financial bonus it produces will go towards supporting employees, their families and projects. The success of this model will awaken the youth about the possibility to earn a decent living through farm work.
ENTREPRENEURSHIP / INNOVATION
Promoting Creativity
We cannot promote a better society if we don't empower its youth through the promotion of innovation and entrepreneurship. Innovation creates value and relies on positive entrepreneurship. It encourages people to take part part in the chain of material production instead of being
mere consumers positioned at the receiving end of this chain. Senegal is experiencing a boom in the home building sector, the field of renewable energy and app creation, and young talented individuals should be encouraged to take advantage of this boom in many ways. These go as follows:
* encourage and support startups focused on the creation of decorative accessories and furnishing material with local products (chandeliers, lamp shades, original furniture, etc.);
* donate electronic equipment to young individuals who show a significant potential or interest in computing and app development;
* sponsor groups that work with recycled material in the creation of their products (plastic bags used to make pavement bricks, for instance).
A rigorous method of selection will be used to identity the groups and/or individuals that are more deserving of our support.
DefarASKAN does not side with any political party, but it supports movements founded by members of the Senegalese society as long as they are driven by one goal, namely to make our community a better place.
Together we can go far and achieve great things in a positive spirit.
“Everything that is done in the world is done by hope”
Martin Luther
North Deering, Portland, ME, USA