The call for projects: a lever of solidarity to change lives

Remember last year: during our 2023 call for projects, one initiative in particular caught our attention: ‘Let’s change the daily lives of 2,000 people together’? Led by Davidson employee Loïc Maucourt, this initiative aimed to change the lives of 2,000 people in Senegal. With their energy, expertise and determination, La Marche à Suivre proved that solidarity can make a real difference. Supported by the entire team at the association, this action shows that our efforts can have a tangible impact on those in need thousands of miles away.

A school for the future

Access to education is a cornerstone of development. In Kothiane, a village near Dakar, learning conditions used to be very difficult. Thanks to La Marche à Suivre and the support of Davidson, a school has been built in the village.

Opened last October, this establishment represents more than just a building: it symbolises hope and the future. Modern, robust and equipped with solar panels, the school is completely self-sustaining, providing a key solution to local challenges. Today, almost a hundred children study here, benefiting from spacious, bright and fully equipped classrooms. Each room is powered by solar panels, providing lighting and fans while generating environmentally friendly energy. There are also two toilets and a large recreation area with swings and sports facilities, including a football pitch.

Providing a quality education is about much more than learning to read and write. It’s about giving students the tools to understand the world, build a future for themselves and become agents of change in their communities. Each student received a school kit, including a backpack, pencil case and exercise books – simple gestures that, taken together, make a huge difference.

But this project is more than that: the 130m2 school, recognised by the Senegalese state and local authorities, now offers the children decent learning conditions with a structured curriculum, reinforced by the imminent arrival of a French teacher.

Access to school gives these children the chance to dream, but above all to act: to become teachers, doctors, farmers or entrepreneurs. In African villages where opportunities are scarce, education is an essential key to breaking the cycle of poverty. Not only does it offer families a better quality of life, it also plays a crucial role in the development of an entire region.

Solar energy, the key to a better future

In Kothiane, night fell like an insurmountable barrier, bringing village life to a screeching halt. Without street lighting, getting around became risky and there was no way to extend the day. Today, this is a thing of the past, thanks to the installation of ten 300W solar-powered street lights.

These street lights, powered by clean, renewable energy, provide a solution perfectly suited to the local context. Their autonomy, based on capturing solar energy during the day and releasing it at night, ensures reliable operation without dependence on external sources.

They now light up the lanes and communal areas, transforming everyday life in the village. The impact is immediate: residents can continue their activities after dark, children have the proper lighting to study, and the community can more easily come together to talk or work on projects. Much more than a source of comfort, solar energy is changing habits, increasing safety and promoting social cohesion.

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An essential resource for sustainable development

Access to water is a fundamental right, but for millions of people it remains a daily struggle. In Kothiane, drinking water was a constant challenge, forcing residents to walk long distances for a precious resource that was hard to come by. Thanks to the installation of a modern borehole, powered by solar panels and equipped with a 6,000-litre tank, La Marche à Suivre has radically changed the situation.

This borehole, which is not only sustainable but also safe, draws directly from the water table, eliminating the risk of contamination. It guarantees constant access to potable water for drinking, cooking, growing and irrigating crops – a vital resource in a village where every drop counts. This project offers a long-term solution that will enable the inhabitants to escape the insecurity associated with water, a major problem in many parts of the world.

Water, often referred to as blue gold, is now accessible to the whole community. For women, who are traditionally responsible for collecting water, this means a considerable saving of time. Freed from this chore, they can now invest their energy in other activities, whether developing economic projects or strengthening social ties within the village. This new autonomy creates a new dynamic, with women actively contributing to the economic and social fabric of their community.

Every drop of water drawn from this borehole is much more than a simple need met: it is a victory over inequality, a symbol of social justice and a step towards a fairer future. This project embodies not only the power of solidarity, but also the importance of innovation in the service of human dignity. It shows that, with the right resources, water can truly become a catalyst for change, offering an entire community the chance to rebuild on solid foundations, look to the future with optimism and live in healthier conditions.

A step towards a fairer, more inclusive future

This project, led by Loïc Maucourt and the association La Marche à Suivre, has shown that it is possible to provide innovative solutions adapted to local conditions. These solutions not only meet immediate needs, but also build community resilience.

Providing quality education, drinking water and clean energy is about much more than infrastructure. It’s about opportunity, talent and, most importantly, the chance for every resident to look forward to a better future. This project will enable the community to develop, improve its quality of life and build a future full of promise.

We are proud to have contributed to this achievement and to have played a part in bringing about this change. Beyond infrastructure and technology, this project reminds us of the importance of solidarity in bringing about systemic change. By reducing inequalities, providing essential resources and redefining living conditions, it puts autonomy at the heart of development. Every drop of water, every ray of light and every child who enters a classroom is a victory for the village and a step towards a more just and equitable world.

Marche à Suivre has shown that it is possible to dream big and act locally to have a global impact. This project transcends geographical and social boundaries and shows that far from being a simple response to poverty, solidarity can become a real driver of sustainable change, bringing dignity, progress and shared growth. It opens the door to a future in which every community has the means to develop autonomously, responsibly and sustainably, while building strong connections and cultivating hope for a better world.

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