Country Profile
In Senegal, CRWRC provides a framework for community action, equipping the poor and marginalised to transform their communities. In the assurance of God’s grace extended to all creation, CRWRC works through collaborations among partner churches, other Christian groups, and local communities. Focusing on health, HIV & AIDS, literacy, justice, diaconal and pastoral training, CRWRC continues to provide avenues to hope.
Although one of the region’s more stable countries, Senegal remains a low-income, food-deficit nation. In 2006, Senegal’s Human Development Index ranking is 166 out of 182 countries (2009); the Human Poverty Index ranks Senegal at 124 out of 134 countries measured. The average number of years of education among adults (age 15+) is just 2.6 years. 37% of children currently enrolled in primary school will drop out before the 5th year. 50% of adult men and 69% of adult women are illiterate. This low education level impacts all areas of life, and acts as a brake on development.
A 20-year civil war in the southern half of Senegal continues to take lives. With the accompanying erosion of governance and rule of law comes the development of an illicit economy. This area has become a transshipment point for South American cocaine moving to Europe and North America, Asian heroin, and the local production of cannabis.
The country has the second highest number of people living with AIDS in the Sahel sub-region, and the third highest rate in the sub-region among young women ages 15-24. Senegal struggles with a weak resource base and is a net importer of basic food.
CRWRC works with national partners to engage Biblical justice while practicing a systematic approach to health improvement and reducing disparities in access to resources. AIDS care and prevention has been part of CRWRC Senegal’s programme for over 15 years. Poverty reduction through developing critical consciousness about oppression, building empowerment and working toward societal change establishes a culture of peace-making and civic responsibility. Community transformation based on the capacity to live out justice values diversity and the creativity that exists in the community.
Fast Facts
Population: 13,711,597 (July 2009 est.)
Area Comparative: slightly smaller than South Dakota
Literacy rate: 39.3%
Life expectancy: 59 years
Population below poverty line: 54% (2001 est.)
Gross Domestic Product per capita: $1,600 (2008 est.)
Religions: Muslim 94%, Christian 5% (mostly Roman Catholic), indigenous beliefs 1% Languages: French (official), Wolof, Pulaar, Serer, Diola, Mandinka
(From the World Factbook. Click here for more information on Senegal)
Partners
Evangelical Lutheran Church of Senegal (EELS)
With the EELS, CRWRC has programmes in adolescent health, AIDS prevention, literacy and justice. Beginning in 2010, the HIV & AIDS component has been reinforced with a grant from CRWRC’s Embrace AIDS. Over 130 persons living with HIV & AIDS are in EELS support groups supported by the EAIDS funding. The EELS programmes are closely linked, building collaboration and mutual learning. Graduates of the adolescent health programme are working through advocacy, street theatre and neighborhood forums to change community attitudes and practices that harm children and youth.
Evangelical Health Coordination Committee (CECS) CRWRC has been working for 4 years with 4 national churches in Senegal to establish an association partnering with rural communities and churches to:
- build capacity for good governance through local leadership training
- mobilize communities for HIV and malaria prevention through community health education;
- bring Muslim and Christians together to work jointly for the development of their communities
- work for Biblical justice by recognizing, analyzing and addressing situations of injustice in their own communities
Timothy Leadership Training
CRWRC is working with the TLT to strengthen churches through pastoral training. Harold Kallemyn and Henry Persenaire-Hogeterp, a CRWM missionary in Niger, are working with us in this programme. West Africa Francophone Civic Education Project CRWRC and partners in Senegal have provided the support and context for the development of this effort to build the capacity of CRWRC francophone partners in civic education and social justice. The manual, translated through the efforts of CRWRC and partners in Niger, Senegal, Mali and Nigeria is now available on the website: http://www.educationcommunautaire.org.
Partner Collaboration
We work towards long term sustainability by linking partners in Senegal together in learning forums, shared training, joint evaluations, and on-site visits. Strong collaborations are emerging, sharing a common vision for community transformation and values-based programming.