View all projects
Securing the livelihoods of refugee returnees in Senegal
Project Summary"HEALTHY AFRICA" improves the livelihoods of refugee returnees, refugees in transit and young people seeking refuge in Kolda in southern Senegal. The project aims to create a long-term source of income for the beneficiaries through the development of small businesses and to promote their financial independence.
Background
HEALTHY AFRICA has been working with the local partner organisation La Lumiere in the project region of Kolda in southern Senegal since 2021. Kolda is located on a refugee route to Europe and has a high proportion of refugees. The unemployment rate in Kolda is the highest in Senegal. This leads to a lack of prospects and pressure to migrate, especially among young people. Health care is inadequate, especially with regard to psychosocial health services. Refugees in particular suffer from high psychological stress due to traumatic experiences of flight, marginalisation and high expectations.
HEALTHY AFRICA and La Lumiere have provided psychological and medical care to 240 refugee returnees, refugees in transit and young refugees in Kolda and enabled them to access health services. They were also trained in mental health and mental resilience. Awareness-raising campaigns and community dialogues were conducted to strengthen community support for refugees and those willing to flee.
Despite the improvements in resilience and health care, beneficiaries struggle to stand on their own feet financially. However, the 240 young people are highly motivated to build their own income with small businesses and/or professionalise the initiatives they have already started. However, they lack resources, organisational and entrepreneurial skills as well as networking with already existing government structures that support initiatives and job search in the region.
Read moreHEALTHY AFRICA and La Lumiere have provided psychological and medical care to 240 refugee returnees, refugees in transit and young refugees in Kolda and enabled them to access health services. They were also trained in mental health and mental resilience. Awareness-raising campaigns and community dialogues were conducted to strengthen community support for refugees and those willing to flee.
Despite the improvements in resilience and health care, beneficiaries struggle to stand on their own feet financially. However, the 240 young people are highly motivated to build their own income with small businesses and/or professionalise the initiatives they have already started. However, they lack resources, organisational and entrepreneurial skills as well as networking with already existing government structures that support initiatives and job search in the region.
Idea
The need for care in economic activities is very high. In addition to psychological support, we also want to improve the economic resilience and health care of the beneficiaries. 240 people with refugee histories are accompanied for one year and receive either support in setting up a collective small business or individual vocational and business coaching.
The goal is to build 20 collective enterprises that generate income. Our aim is that by the end of the project, the beneficiaries will have established their own source of income and will be able to cover their own health costs. The project is implemented in partnership with a local organisation and funded by BMZ. However, the BMZ funding covers only 75% of the total budget, which is why further support is needed to implement the project and achieve its goals.
Read moreThe goal is to build 20 collective enterprises that generate income. Our aim is that by the end of the project, the beneficiaries will have established their own source of income and will be able to cover their own health costs. The project is implemented in partnership with a local organisation and funded by BMZ. However, the BMZ funding covers only 75% of the total budget, which is why further support is needed to implement the project and achieve its goals.
Implementation
The planned measures are divided into the following three areas:
- The beneficiaries will be trained and mentored in entrepreneurship, group dynamics, financial literacy and accounting.
- Each group receives a small start-up grant to build their income-generating activities.
- The beneficiaries are networked with local structures - such as government employment offices or microcredit institutions.
Read more- The beneficiaries will be trained and mentored in entrepreneurship, group dynamics, financial literacy and accounting.
- Each group receives a small start-up grant to build their income-generating activities.
- The beneficiaries are networked with local structures - such as government employment offices or microcredit institutions.
Initiators
HEALTHY AFRICA e. V. aims to improve the health of the people in Africa. Only in good health will the African population be able to really use its enormous potential. The focal points of our work are: Health care for rural regions, training of medical staff and prevention of diseases.Special attention is given to women and children.
Making it easier for young people to start a career not only improves their income, but also their mental and physical health. Therefore, this is also part of our project work, alongside water projects, vaccination campaigns or mobile clinics, for example. Our work is thus not the famous 'drop in the ocean', but represents a contribution to real efficiency and thus sustainability due to the interlocking components.
Read moreMaking it easier for young people to start a career not only improves their income, but also their mental and physical health. Therefore, this is also part of our project work, alongside water projects, vaccination campaigns or mobile clinics, for example. Our work is thus not the famous 'drop in the ocean', but represents a contribution to real efficiency and thus sustainability due to the interlocking components.
| Togni Piergiorgio | 615,00 CHF |
| Vermittelt durch Swisscom | 100,00 CHF |
| Galenica AG | 5'700,00 CHF |
| Vermittelt durch Swisscom | 155,00 CHF |
| Rosmarie Kämpf | 90,00 CHF |
| Pius Rohrer | 200,00 CHF |
| Trudi Frei | 100,00 CHF |
| Christa Müller | 160,00 CHF |
| Anonymous | 245,00 CHF |
| Gesundes Afrika | 3'160,00 CHF |
Currently, there are still no project partners if you are interested, please contact us via info@there-for-you.com.
Status of the project
We will send the donation receipt (for Switzerland) in January of the following year.
Major donor
Impact analysis by there for you specialists
High unemployment and poor health care in Kolda lead to a lack of prospects and migration pressure among the young population. In particular, the psychosocial health services are inadequate and lead to psychological stress among the refugees. The project of HEALTHY AFRICA and La Lumiere improves health care and strengthens the mental health and resilience of the beneficiaries. However, without regular income, they cannot cover their health costs themselves and are once again trapped in a lack of prospects. It is therefore important to offer the beneficiaries support in setting up small businesses and networking with already existing state structures in order to achieve a sustainable improvement of the situation in the long term.
Primary Partners
