Young artist Fracio Housing Project for Homeless

My name is Fracio and I am an 8 years old rap artist. Born in the USA, I am lucky enough to receive good education, care and food. I am also able to live my passion for art and music, and travel. But I know that millions of people around the world are not as luckier as me. Homeless is one of the most dramatic experiences I have witnessed in America and abroad. I decided to write a song about it. When I visited Senegal, West Africa, I realized that this issue is global. This is why I decided to go further on defending the End homeless cause.

Homelessness in Senegal mainly affects people who are already vulnerable - children, mentally challenged people, women fleeing from domestic violence, migrants, etc. This growing population is mostly in urban areas although living conditions are even more challenging in rural areas. There is no social housing project or institution to provide temporary or permanent solution to homelessness in the country. Many people live on the streets or slums without any kind of financial, legal or emotional support. The Fracio housing initiative aims to offer temporary housing solution to homeless people in Ziguinchor, in the southern part of Senegal. On a 2,500 sq meters lot, vulnerable people will find a place to live and receive help to start a new life. As most of the homeless people in Ziguinchor are children and mentally challenged people, the Fracio housing initiave also seeks to provide schooling solutions and health support to the less-well populations of the city.

I partner with an organization called Ubbi Bunt (opening doors) which aim to connect people and help develop a more sustainable lifestyle in Senegal around agriculture and education.

You can support our project by donating to the program or volunteering in our Summer projects in Casamance. Our ongoing community projects are important to us and we are happy to complete any of the following goals. Thank you for your generosity and support. Fracio.

The Fracio housing project will help finance:

Renovating and extending housing capacity

We have a tiny two-bedroom house we would like to renovate and furnish to offer temporary housing to homeless people and volunteer workers. Two other tiny homes will be built shortly.

An evening learning program

We will run these classes not only for vulnerable children but also regular students most of whom have no access to an after-school program.

Mobile shower van

Children forced to beg on the street and mentally challenged homeless people are very difficult to keep in a shelter. Rather than forcing them to stay with us, we meet them on the streets and offer shower, shave, haircut, meal, and clean clothes. We believe that living in the streets should not prevent them from receiving the care they deserve. The Fracio shower van will be touring the city twice a week to offer a shower to needy people. We plan to visit other cities across Senegal to implement the concept.