Working to CREATE! a Better Future in Rural Senegal
Center for Renewable Energy and Appropriate Technology for the Environment
CREATING A CLIMATE OF HOPE
CREATE! ing Hope and Resilience
From cookstoves to graduation, the CREATE approach is rooted in self-reliance and participation. It provides training and support in the four development sectors of renewable energy, water, agriculture, and income generation. As a result, women in Senegalese partner communities have been able to chart a course for themselves, putting their communities into a cycle of development. They gain access to solar energy that pumps clean water year-round from renovated wells for irrigated food production that yields income from excess produce sold in local markets. The income derived from the excess food production can be used for enhancing the quality of life for participants, such as better educational opportunities and improved medical care. Additionally, extensive tree-planting programs and training for self-made improved cookstoves round out the CREATE model. Villages are rejuvenated as beneficiaries find new hope for their future and that of their children.
West Africa-particularly Senegal-bears the brunt of global climate change. Desert encroachment and decreasing rainfall result in shorter growing seasons. Deforestation compounds these changes as communities continue collecting wood for cooking and building homes. In this moment, the world is facing unprecedented threats. Yet, there is still hope.
Here’s Why CREATE! is Different
At CREATE, we have been at the forefront of combating climate change in rural West Africa for more than a decade. Since our founding, CREATE has engaged, mobilized and supported trusted leaders in the villages we have partnered with to come up with solutions that bring the assets of their communities to address climate change while transforming the lives and livelihoods of local residents. CREATE helps partner communities improve their livelihoods for generations to come using renewable technologies while simultaneously empowering women. These programs developed by CREATE require a high level of commitment and investment from communities participating in them. After four years they “graduate” to self-sufficiency, able to maintain the projects on their own and empower others using the training and skills they have gained. We know we cannot do this without the leadership of local people and a community of donors ready to support sustainable change. We will equip the next generation of leaders to develop their communities and provide hope.
WHAT WE DO
Water
Village Well Rehabilitation & Solar Pumps
Community Gardens
Sustainable Crop Cultivation Training
Renewable Energy
Fuel-Efficient Cookstoves & Tree Planting
Income Generation
Voluntary Saving & Lending Associations
CREATE!’s First Decade: Accomplishments
From 2010 through 2020, CREATE! has achieved the following:
Partnered with 18 communities in rural Senegal to introduce appropriate technology development methods.
Cleared and prepared one or two-acres of land for 18 community gardens.
Trained 15 communities to raise and sell poultry and 16 communities to set up Voluntary Savings and Lending Associations.
Rehabilitated 18 community wells and installed 18 solar powered pumps and irrigation systems for year round water access.
Planted thousands of trees in partner communities, including cashew species.
Impacted health, nutrition, lives and livelihoods of an estimated 18,000 beneficiaries (1000 direct and 17000 indirect).
Graduated 8 communities to self-reliance and sustainable change.
CREATE!’s Next Decade: Goals for 2021-2023
Over the next two years, 2021-2023, CREATE! plans to support existing communities, while also accomplishing the following:
Partner with four (4) new communities.
Reach 200 more direct and 2,000 more indirect beneficiaries, for a total of 20,000.
Install 4 more drip irrigation systems in the 4 new communities and retrofit the gravity-fed systems of 15 earlier communities with the more efficient drip irrigation systems.
Support launching 6 new poultry raising projects.
Launch 6 additional VSLAs.
CREATE!’s First Decade: Accomplishments
From 2010 through 2020, CREATE! has achieved the following:
CREATE!’s Next Decade: Goals for 2021-2023
Over the next two years, 2021-2023, CREATE! plans to support existing communities, while also accomplishing the following:
Partnered with 18 communities in rural Senegal to introduce appropriate technology development methods.
Cleared and prepared one or two-acres of land for 18 community gardens.
Trained 15 communities to raise and sell poultry and 16 communities to set up Voluntary Savings and Lending Associations.
Graduated 8 communities to self-reliance and sustainable change.
Rehabilitated 18 community wells and installed 18 solar powered pumps and irrigation systems for year round water access.
Planted thousands of trees in partner communities, including cashew species.
Impacted health, nutrition, lives and livelihoods of an estimated 18,000 beneficiaries (1000 direct and 17000 indirect).
Partner with four (4) new communities.
Install 4 more drip irrigation systems in the 4 new communities and retrofit the gravity-fed systems of 15 earlier communities with the more efficient drip irrigation systems.
Launch 6 additional VSLAs.
Reach 200 more direct and 2,000 more indirect beneficiaries, for a total of 20,000.
Support launching 6 new poultry raising projects.
CREATE!’s First Decade: Accomplishments
From 2010 through 2020, CREATE! has achieved the following:
Partnered with 18 communities in rural Senegal to introduce appropriate technology development methods.
Cleared and prepared one or two-acres of land for 18 community gardens.
Trained 15 communities to raise and sell poultry and 16 communities to set up Voluntary Savings and Lending Associations.
Graduated 8 communities to self-reliance and sustainable change.
Rehabilitated 18 community wells and installed 18 solar powered pumps and irrigation systems for year round water access.
Planted thousands of trees in partner communities, including cashew species.
Impacted health, nutrition, lives and livelihoods of an estimated 18,000 beneficiaries (1000 direct and 17000 indirect).
CREATE!’s Next Decade: Goals for 2021-2023
Over the next two years, 2021-2023, CREATE! plans to support existing communities, while also accomplishing the following:
Partner with four (4) new communities.
Reach 200 more direct and 2,000 more indirect beneficiaries, for a total of 20,000.
Install 4 more drip irrigation systems in the 4 new communities and retrofit the gravity-fed systems of 15 earlier communities with the more efficient drip irrigation systems.
Launch 6 additional VSLAs.
Support launching 6 new poultry raising projects.
Individual Leadership Spotlight: Omar Ndiaye Seck
The best part about finding inspiration is that it’s always there when we need it. Almost everyone faces difficult situations; but when we can tap into our own inspiration during difficult times, we can also use our vision to become an inspiring leader.
—Omar Ndiaye Seck
CREATE Senegal Country Director
As Country Director for CREATE’s Senegal program, Seck spearheads CREATE’s climate smart programs, leading his Senegal team to serve as inspirations for a community’s path towards a sustainable and empowered future.
Continuously inspired by the dedication shown by the women in each of CREATE’s partner communities while they work to better their future, Seck recalls a particular incident with the women’s group in Santhie, a community situated in the Northern part of Senegal. “What impressed me the most with the Santhie group, was the willpower of the women who only lacked the necessary tools to work. We found an old well abandoned for 30 years that we rehabilitated; and to show us their determination, the women provided physical labor themselves during the rehabilitation process. Afterwards, we set up a vegetable garden giving these brave women the opportunity to work throughout the year. These days the Santhie site has become an oasis.
Seck and his team works with many such groups and have proudly supported the “graduation” to sustainability of eight communities over the last decade. “My words will never be enough to praise CREATE’s accomplishments!” says Seck.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Connect
WHAT’S NEW
CREATE! Trains Senegalese Youth on Agriculture Production Techniques
Michael Carson, CREATE!'s Executive Director recently visited our projects in Senegal. In this blog, Michael reflects on CREATE!'s new initiative to train youth on agricultural practices. On a rare rainy Monday afternoon in rural Senegal, I accompanied our country...
The Dawn of a New Decade: What is Next for CREATE?
As CREATE! enters its second decade of operations, we will catalyze greater resilience, climate action, and economic empowerment. We have developed a 2021-2023 Strategic Plan driven by our principles to support locally-led solutions that create sustainable...
The History of CREATE!: Philosophy in Action
In celebration of our 10th anniversary in Senegal, we wanted to highlight the founding staff of CREATE!, whose ideas and values we continue to carry out today in our work. We are grateful for their hard work, they have paved the way for the future of the organization...