In the early morning in Laminia, a remote village in Senegal's Kédougou region, girls and young mothers set out on their daily journey. With children on their backs and the sun rising quickly overhead, they travel over three miles of dry roads to collect water for their families. This arduous task, often undertaken in sweltering temperatures exceeding 110°F, consumes hours that might otherwise be spent in a classroom.These young mothers, burdened with the responsibility of securing life's most basic necessity, are deprived of the opportunity to pursue education. While husbands, brothers, and sons attend school, the girls of Laminia are caught in a continual cycle of survival.

The Educational Landscape in Senegal

Senegal, a nation rich in culture, faces significant challenges in its education, particularly for girls. Recent data reveals that only about 45.5% of eligible children are enrolled in secondary school, with girls disproportionately affected. In rural regions like Kédougou, the secondary school completion rate for girls is just 8.8%.

Several factors contribute to this disparity:

• Economic Hardship: Approximately 39% of Senegalese live below the poverty line. Families often prioritize boys' education when resources are scarce, leaving girls behind.

• Cultural Practices: Early marriage is prevalent, with 68% of girls in the Kolda region marrying before 18, more than double the national average of 31%. Early pregnancies further hinder girls' educational pursuits.

• Lack of Basic Amenities: Inadequate access to clean water and sanitation facilities in schools disproportionately affects girls, particularly during menstruation, leading to higher dropout rates.

These cycles are hard to break. Without access to vital resources and a stable living environment, girls and young women remain caught between cultural norms and the need to survive.

Our Two-Phase Mission

Recognizing the intertwined nature of water accessibility and education, MercyWorks has initiated a two-phase project aimed at transforming the lives of girls in Senegal.

Phase One: Providing Clean Water

The first step is to construct a well in the heart of Laminia, ensuring reliable access to clean water. This initiative will alleviate the daily burden on girls, freeing up their time and energy for educational pursuits. 

Our preliminary goal was $2,500 by Easter Sunday, with a final goal of $13,000 to finish building the well. By God’s grace, we completed and surpassed that goal with $7,555 given in donations so far, but we still need $5,445 to provide water to Laminia and move on to our second goal.

Phase Two: Empowering Through Education

With the water crisis addressed, our focus will shift to education. MercyWorks aims to support the girls of Senegal by providing scholarships, uniforms, learning materials, and transportation. We want to ensure that once the barriers to education are removed, each girl is equipped to receive the schooling she needs. To meet this future goal, we’ll need to raise an additional $10,000.

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Progress and the Road Ahead

Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, we've surpassed our initial Easter fundraising goal of $2,500, raising over $7,000 to commence the well construction. However, to fully realize our vision, we aim to raise an additional $16,000 to complete the well and fund the educational needs of these young girls.

Your continued support can make this vision a reality.

Further the Ripple Effect

Every contribution, no matter the size, brings us closer to a future where the girls of Laminia can pursue their dreams without the weight of daily survival tasks. Each dollar given holds the promise of clean water and the opportunity for education for these girls.