Development
The “Village of Joy” project was started in Autumn 2009. The help requests which come from the Association Ensemble pour le bien etre de l’enfant to find a home for orphan children, who lost one or both their parents, are always increasing. For this reason, it was decided to create a small village where to welcome and grow up orphans. Currently, there are three houses which accommodate forty children. The centre is officially recognized and it collaborates with public social services. Assistance in the centre is ensured by 13 “mothers” – who alternate day and night in the houses to take care of the babes – together with educational, health and administration personnel. The nutritional needs of the children can differ according to their age. Guaranteeing food and micronutrients provision through balanced meals is the main goal to fight malnutrition.
Both the children from the centre and those assisted at home benefit from medical care, while new-entries have to undergo a check-up to know more about their state of health. Newborn and infants very often suffer from malaria or intestinal infections while the most common diseases among the children over 2 years are infections, malaria, cough, flue, wounds and bruises they get themselves during recreational activities. The main goal of the project is to reduce the impact of health problems among children and to grant serious prevention, therefore, the canteen has been completely reconstructed and adequate sanitation service are going to be realized next to the playing area. Child-friendly washbasin with running water will be installed for hand-washing before snack time. In this way, we try to raise the well-being of minors, teaching them personal hygiene rules.
The shower room will be reconstructed to satisfy the needs of the babes and to facilitate the work of the “mothers”. Next to this area there will be a little WC – to accustom children to use it – and enough space for potties which fit their age best.
The structure will be equipped with electricity and small solar panels, as well as an external portico that will protect it during the raining season.
Many development interventions supported by PRO.SA are focused on sustainable access to adequate water services, clean sanitation services and renewable energy sources.
