Senegal Exchange Association JAPAN is an NPO that works to end ignorance and poverty and to contribute to a world at peace. Its website also mentions aloe cultivation and support for girls' education in Africa.
In Senegal the gap between city and village life is large, and most villages reportedly still have no electricity. A 2005 visit, where members saw problems such as water cuts caused by power outages, was one starting point for the work.
Working with local NPOs under the motto "hand what is needed directly to the people who need it," the group focuses on installing solar panels and training residents in off-grid areas. It puts particular effort into projects that can be carried out locally because they also create jobs, and it aims to build a system that residents can run themselves. In Japan, it introduces traditional music, food and costumes and holds special lectures for children to help people get to know Senegal.
Key points
- Installs solar panels and teaches how to use them in villages without electricity
- Works with local NPOs to create jobs and support self-reliance
- Spreads interest in Senegal in Japan through music, food, costumes and lectures for children
Why this organization's work stands out
By focusing on electricity, a basic part of daily life, and using the fact that even a small solar panel can power a few lights, the support is easy to understand and relatable. Aiming for a system that residents can sustain themselves is a useful reference.
Events and lectures in Japan offer a way to feel close to a faraway African country. Children even practice Senegalese words together, making this a friendly entry point to global understanding.
Editor's comment
Imagining how a single solar panel can change evenings and learning in a village shows how many forms support can take.
News, events and a blog are on the official website. Please take a look and get a taste of Senegal.