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Initiatives Needing Support

Our community partners have many initiatives that they are working on to strengthen their communities, improve education, work toward food security, protect the environment, create more water resources, generate more income, and build infrastructure. They are seeking support to complement the resources they bring to the table. You can make it possible for them to advance on one of these projects or programs and know exactly what your funds accomplish. See options for initiatives you can support below. Email us at info@tandanafoundation.org to sponsor a project or for more information.

Initiatives in Mali

			Process to sign a legal agreement for management of natural resources. $18,160. The Olouguelemo Environmental Association represents 19 villages that are working together to conserve resources and protect their shared environment. They have designated protected forest areas where woodcutting is not allowed, and this effort has led to increased harvests of wild fruits as well as the return of wildlife to the area. Now that they have a proven track record, they want to sign an agreement with the Forestry and Water Service to acquire the legal rights to manage the resources in their area. The regional Forest Service chief is supportive of this idea. In order to sign the agreement, they need to undertake a detailed inventory of the resources in their zone and hold a series of meetings with all stakeholders. Having legal authority will help the Association better enforce its conservation policies and achieve even better results. Any funds collected in excess of those needed to complete the process will be allocated to fund other environmental initiatives of the Olouguelemo Environmental Association.
			Office for School—Sal-Ogol. $5,875. The school in Sal-Ogol has no office for the director to safely store documents, books, and supplies. The director is dedicated to his students’ success and has prioritized acquiring furniture for the classrooms. Now he wants an office where he can work and safely store his materials, without having to take them home every day and expose them to potential loss. Any funds collected in excess of those needed to complete this project will be allocated to fund similar projects in neighboring communities.
			Supporting displaced students in Bandiagara. $13,000. Because of insecurity in certain parts of rural Bandiagara District, many families have fled their villages and moved to Bandiagara, where they are living in tents. This is not only dangerous but also disruptive to students who should be in school. This program will allow 100 students who are members of families who have taken refuge in the town of Bandiagara due to insecurity in their villages to go to school. Any funds collected in excess of those needed to complete this project will be allocated to fund similar initiatives.
			Expand ponds in four villages. $7,600 for each pond. Farmers in rural Mali must rely on the brief rainy season for cultivation unless they have the ability to store water and use it over a longer period of time. Ponds allow for this water storage. Four villages in Wadouba Township have small ponds, but they want to enlarge them so that they will hold more water. With these larger ponds, they will be able to do market gardening through more of the dry season, thus working towards food security and also creating opportunities to generate income. For $7,600, you can make possible the expansion of one pond. Any funds collected in excess of those needed to complete this project will be allocated to fund similar projects in neighboring communities.
			Reforestation Campaign. $480. Each year the Olouguelemo Environmental Association holds a reforestation campaign, planting thousands of native and fruit trees in fields, forests, public place, and along roads. You can make a significant contribution to this campaign, which also receives support from the Association itself and the Mayor of Wadouba Township. Any funds collected in excess of those needed for reforestation will be allocated to fund other environmental initiatives of the Olouguelemo Environmental Association.
			Create a tree nursery. $3,300. The Olouguelemo Environmental Association already manages two tree nurseries that produce native, nutritional, and medicinal trees for planting in the region. They want to increase their production capacity by creating a third nursery, which will also create jobs in another village. Any funds collected in excess of those needed to complete this project will be allocated to fund other environmental initiatives of the Olouguelemo Environmental Association.
			Rainwater collection system. $37,600. The village of Kansongo has a community orchard and garden; however the water from the nearby borehole is not sufficient for irrigation the plants. They have a community meeting room near the garden and want to build a system to collect rainwater from the roof of this building and use it to irrigate the garden. Any funds collected in excess of those needed to complete this project will be allocated to fund similar initiatives.
			Cotton bank in Dassi. $8,000. Women in Dassi earn money by transforming cotton into cloth. But, they are subject to exorbitant prices and excessive interest when they purchase it in small amounts from traders. Together, they want to create a cotton bank that will give them a revolving fund to purchase cotton in bulk at good prices and a storehouse, which will also serve as a meeting place for women to work together and exchange ideas. You can help them achieve self-sufficiency and strengthen their network as women. Any funds collected in excess of those needed to complete this project will be allocated to fund similar initiatives.
			Women's cotton storehouse and meeting place. $4,350. The women's association in Nounou has an active and successful business turning raw cotton into cloth. Together, they manage a revolving fund to access the materials for their trade, and they work together to find additional markets for their products. Now they need a secure building to store their supplies, and it will also serve as a women's meeting place, where they can work together and exchange ideas. Any funds collected in excess of those needed to complete this project will be allocated to fund similar initiatives.
			Women's sombala storehouse and meeting place. $4,350. The women's association in Guinekandah has an active and successful business making sombala, which are seasoning balls used in cooking. Together, they manage a revolving fund to access the ingredients for the sombala, and they work together to find additional markets for their products. Now they need a secure building to store their supplies, and it will also serve as a women's meeting place, where they can work together and exchange ideas. Any funds collected in excess of those needed to complete this project will be allocated to fund similar initiatives.
			Rice field for Kansongo. $45,000. Residents of Kansongo, in their perennial efforts to work toward food security want to diversify their agricultural production. There is a variety of dryland rice that they can grow if they can create earthworks to catch, retain, and channel rainwater. They need to hire earthmoving equipment to create this irrigation system. Any funds collected in excess of those needed to complete this project will be allocated to fund similar initiatives.
			Workshop for producing sanitary and sustainable menstrual kits. $21,500. Menstruation is surrounded by taboos in Mali, and hygienic menstrual supplies are often difficult to access. We took a set of kits made by Days for Girls volunteers to share with women and girls we partner with to get their feedback. The kits were a big hit, and there is a long list of women who want to buy them! To make the kits available in a sustainable way and also create employment opportunities, we plan to create a workshop where these kits can be made locally. You can promote women’s health and opportunities by donating to support this initiative. Any funds collected in excess of those needed to complete this project will be allocated to fund similar initiatives.
			School garden in Andjine Nantanga. $6,100. You can help the school in Andjine Nantanga create a garden that will allow students to raise produce and earn money for school supplies, improve their nutrition, and experience hands-on learning opportunities for biology. Any funds collected in excess of those needed to complete this project will be allocated to fund similar initiatives.
			New health center in Menthely. $105,000. The government of Mali created a health center for the sector of Menthely on paper. There is a committee in charge of overseeing the center. However, they didn't provide any infrastructure! To have a real health center, the communities of the sector need a building with maternity, consultation, pharmacy, and cold storage rooms, as well as a borehole, water tower, solar panels, waiting hangar, latrines, and wall around the compound. You can make this idea become a reality so that residents of Menthely can access health care near their homes.

Initiatives in Ecuador

			Secondary school scholarship. $300 per year. You can make it possible for a student from a rural community in Ecuador to attend secondary school for a year. The scholarship covers books, uniforms, school supplies, transportation, and other required costs. Any funds collected in excess of those needed for one student will be allocated to scholarships for other students.
			Paint for the outside of a school. $788. The combined primary and secondary schools in Quichinche are in need of a new paint job for the exterior of the buildings. The previous paint job is crumbling due to the natural effects of weather and time. Let's support the school with this project so the students can be proud to show up to a nice looking school once the pandemic is over and they can return to in-person classes. Any funds collected in excess of those needed to complete this project will be allocated to fund similar projects in neighboring communities.
			Post-secondary scholarship. $1,500 per year. Students from rural communities often want to pursue higher education and invest tremendous effort in reaching their dreams. Students in our post-secondary scholarship program work to earn half of the money needed for their studies, while the scholarship covers the other half. Students also complete community service hours during each semester. They have studied business administration, tourism business, accounting, auto mechanics, fashion design, multimedia production, and many other fields. Any funds collected in excess of those needed for one student will be allocated to scholarships for other students.
			Transportation to Secondary School. $175 per month. Students from remote communities like Minas Chupa have a very difficult time getting to school. Twenty six students from Minas Chupa have the opportunity to attend Saminay - El Legado School, a tuition-free private school, which is the closest secondary school to their community. However, without a regular transportation service, they would have to walk for several hours and then catch rides on passing trucks going to and from the Intag mines. The parents are seeking a dedicated transportation service to take their children safely to and from school each day and need $175 per month for the duration of the school year to make this happen. Any funds collected in excess of those needed for transportation will be allocated to other educational initiatives.
			Urkusiki School Art and Music Project. $910 Urkusiki is working on enhancing their art program in which the school has a space dedicated to creating art, singing, and dancing. These activities are integral to the children’s development and the art corner will serve to preserve their culture. With this project, art supplies and musical instruments will be available for students to learn and perform their traditional songs and dances and express their culture through art. A local teacher will also be hired to enhance student skills.