Habitat for Humanity Senegal
 | |  | | | Habitat's Work in Senegal | Number of families served this year*: 17
Full house sponsorship cost: US$8,790
Incremental house sponsorship cost: US$1,180
| | Senegal News and Stories | A secure home for a quarter of the cost
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Senegal -- Habitat for Humanity Int'l 1
Why Habitat is needed in Senegal
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Substandard housing in Senegal’s capital, Dakar
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Senegal is a peaceful country, steeped in history and culture. In the 17th and 18th centuries, the country exported large amounts of ivory and gold. Today, the economy is primarily agricultural.
Poverty is widespread in Senegal and many flock to the cities in search of prosperity. Sadly, a large portion of the population is unemployed or surviving day to day. Some people work in industry, but even those who stay in the same job for several years may not own a home. Although they may manage to save, people are often unable to access credit to finance a house.
As a result of these and many other complex issues, housing is a massive problem. Many families are squeezed into cramped quarters in slums with no proper sanitation, which encourages the rampant spread of disease.
How Habitat helps
Since its inception in 2001, Habitat for Humanity Senegal has partnered with people who cannot afford decent housing in the suburbs of the capital, Dakar.
Habitat for Humanity’s houses consist of a minimum of one bedroom, a living room, a kitchen, washroom and pit latrine. The houses are built on cement foundations, with walls of cement bricks or stabilized blocks. The houses have wooden doors and windows roofs are covered with corrugated iron roofing sheets. The total plot is surrounded by a brick wall, giving the family privacy. Habitat for Humanity Senegal also helps families around Dakar rehabilitate their existing houses. Local and international volunteer participate in building activities.
Highlights
Habitat for Humanity helps families into their own decent housing by working in partnership with cooperatives and associations. Members of the cooperatives save and apply collectively to a bank for loans with which to acquire land for one member at a time. Once this is paid off, the cooperative may apply for housing loans. However, these are not always given, due to very strict criteria. Habitat for Humanity provides credit to those who are not eligible for a bank housing loan, but who pass its own selection process, enabling them to continue to the next phase and build their house, with further help.
By implementing new design techniques, Habitat for Humanity Senegal has recently achieved a reduction in its house costs, thereby reaching families with even lower incomes and enabling more houses to be built. Habitat for Humanity Senegal’s future plans include helping flood victims currently living in shacks and families developing income generating activities in villages close to Dakar.
Facts about Senegal
Location: Coast of West Africa
Population: 10.6 million
Languages: French, Wolof, Pulaar, Jola
Climate: Tropical
Religions: Islam, Christianity
Government: Republic under multi-party democratic rule led by the President
Economy: Main industries include agriculture (fish, peanuts, cotton), mining, refining, and petroleum production
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