M’Bagne, Mauritania

162 children in M'Bagne ADP are supported by Irish sponsors since 2010.

Our youngest ADP continued to make great strides in 2011. Aside from improving the accessibility to food and health services in the area, our main focus was on education.

The construction of a new classroom and office for the school director in the village of Mango N’Diawaldi has filled an important gap in the community as many children have just been repatriated from Senegal and had no education facilities to cater for them.

We also continued our awareness programmes around the importance of education for everyone. The gap between girls and boys attending classes is still wide. These campaigns were supported by the local parents association and local education leaders who were trained in the importance of equal gender rights to education, school planning and how to cater for the unique needs of the disabled and vulnerable members of the community.

The results of this campaign can already be felt as Mr Ly, Departmental Inspector of National Education of M’Bagne told us: “Most people now give a great importance to the education of their children to the point of protest against shortages of teachers!”

The next step for the parents’ associations is to lobby for children without birth certificates to be given a place in schools. The lack of certificates, especially for children returning from Senegal, is a big issue and the parents of M’Bagne feel that paperwork should be the last thing between a child and a brighter future through education.

So much happened in 2011 - for example...

• Health posts were established to monitor and treat children for malnutrition. Since they have been established, over 150 children have been treated.
• Through your World Vision gifts in 2010, 30 farmers received drought-tolerant seeds and farming equipment that has increased productivity by 40%.
• Ten community leaders and volunteers were trained on child rights and protection. They will now act as agents of transformation in their communities.
• Local leaders, parents associations and school directors took part in meetings explaining the dangers of female genital mutilation, early marriage and HIV and aIDs. over 100 people attended the sessions.

2012 Challenge

The failing rains in Mauritania and the increased number of people returning home from Senegal is putting a strain on already stretched resources. 2012 will be crucial to build on the good work already started and focus on improved health and nutrition for children in the area.

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