Guerrou, Mauritania

1,120 children in Guerrou ADP are supported by Irish sponsors 2005.

Prolonged drought has resulted in increased food shortages for many living in Niger and Mauritania this year. People across the region are struggling but we are happy to report that our investment in food security and stability has meant that Guerrou ADP has to date not felt the impact of the drought.

To ensure that Guerrou continues to be safeguarded against drought, World Vision, together with the local government, trained 70 farmers (mostly women) on modernised cultivation techniques and the construction of dykes. Ploughs were provided to ensure that the newly acquired techniques could be implemented. We also worked with another 70 farmers (again mostly women) concentrating on drying and processing vegetables so food can be stored ensuring that healthy options are available throughout the year.

Vegetable gardens have been introduced to promote good nutrition through variety. Four women’s cooperatives received a garden well each to ensure their vegetables remain hydrated. We worked closely with the government, local NGOs and community leaders this year on an awareness campaign focussing on nutrition. In addition 150 mothers were trained on the importance of a balanced diet. They will now pass their knowledge on to others.

With your help, despite the hard climate and increasing drought, during 2011 no sponsored child was diagnosed with malnutrition – a result we can be proud of! 

So much happened in 2011 - for example...

• Over 200 women’s cooperatives are now registered in the area providing work and income. This has almost doubled since 2008!
• Child protection is at the heart of our work. 20 community members were trained to identify and manage any instances of child abuse.
• 300 women attended meetings about the importance of child spacing and exclusive breastfeeding for children up to 6 months.
• Super goats from the gift catalogue made a big difference to 40 children identified by the community as vulnerable or orphaned.

 2012 Challenge

With only 37% of women attending regular ante-natal visits, a high maternal mortality rate of 686/100,000 in Guerrou and the increasing threat of malnutrition through drought, we have to now strongly focus on mother and child health in 2012.

Find out more about life in Mauritania and Le Capitaine – a man whose mission it is to protect children.