Playground Dreams in an African Village: Mar Lodj
Welcome to our “Playground Dreams in an African Village” fundraising page!
NOTE: Our Fundraising Efforts for PHASE I of this project will continue until August 2015. By then we expect to have Phase I complete --just in time before the rainy season begins!
The project goal is to raise $10,000USD to build an outdoor playground and multi-use outdoor area for a pre-school located in the island village of Mar Lodj located in Senegal, West Africa--and to do this in two phases.
We are now at the half way point --and soon...soon...soon...the playground equipment will be moved (from the capital city Dakar where it's all being hand-made) to the island village of Mar Lodj.
Our ‘vision’ of transforming a scrubby expanse of outdoor sandy terrain into a multi-purpose outdoor area that will offer a REAL playground area with toys for climbing and swinging and jumping for the children and a space that can be used for by parents and village neighbors is starting to take shape thanks to your support and contributions.
Phase I: Fabricating the seven pieces of playground equipment: swing set, rocker swing, barrels, sliding board, merry-go-round, see-saw, sandbox); landscaping, construction and materials costs, fencing to enclose the area; transportation and labor costs.
This last part, raising money for the fencing/enclosure, is really the 'hump' we need to get over financially immediately --raising an additional 600,000 FCFA --which is approximately $1,500 USD --so that materials can be purchased and everything moved to the island village at the same time, and thus avoid having to do this in two trips (plus added labor and transportation costs.)
Part 2: Constructing the outdoor multi-use space (benches, tables, drinking fountain, two toilet areas, etc.)...more about this to come. Right now the focus is squarely on Phase 1.
The Ecole Maternelle Mere Cecile Foret is a preschool run by the Sisters of Filles du Saint Coeur de Marie (Daughters of the Blessed Heart of Mary). It has 100 students, ages 2-5 who are reflective of the religious make up the island that is Christian and Muslim. The classes are divided by age into three sections. Students are taught the basics in French, the official language of Senegal.
On behalf of Sr. Madeleine (Sr. Mado) and the children –to those who have accompanied us on this path so far, thank you --and the same to those joining us! Please continue share our "Gofundme.com" page link. Any funds not used for this project will be given to the school which has other needs, of course!
Also, put “A visit to Senegal and Mar Lodj” on your “Vacation Wish List.” There's a lot happening in the community to develop it as an "eco-tourism" destination -- yet another reason to visit the “Land of Teranga” (Wolof word for “welcome”).
About Me: My name is Wilma Jean Emanuel Randle. I am an American, a former U.S newspaper journalist, who has been based in Senegal since 1998 working as a consultant/media trainer for non-profit (NGOs) organizations that specialize in offering capacity building for journalists in an effort to support and promote press freedom and the increased participation of women in the media.
