Genesis of the idea:
The project was born in March 2006, returning from the trip to Didier Tambacounda, traveling through the association Reillanne / Tambacounda association of twinning and exchange between the school and the Reillanne Tambacounda. A library project has been underway for some time in the premises of a disused former classroom. Senegalese teachers state their desire to see young French participate in rebuilding the library and create concrete exchanges between young people. The project was enthusiastically welcomed by all sides. Youth will quickly show candidates.
Association Reillanne / Tambacounda initially creates a special committee for the mounting of this project, but quickly, it shows a timidity and a refusal to bring this project to the responsibilities it entails. The Committee then withdrew from the association to create a collective name ADJA, Action Sustainable Jeune Afrique, which aims to facilitate exchanges between young people from 7 to 97 years, North-South and South-North. ADJA is also the name of the school where young people will make their first action, it is very symbolic! Meanwhile, the project was directed towards the construction of a classroom, the library room has been the subject of work by the Senegalese government in connection with student demonstrations in late 2006.
The project was born in March 2006, returning from the trip to Didier Tambacounda, traveling through the association Reillanne / Tambacounda association of twinning and exchange between the school and the Reillanne Tambacounda. A library project has been underway for some time in the premises of a disused former classroom. Senegalese teachers state their desire to see young French participate in rebuilding the library and create concrete exchanges between young people. The project was enthusiastically welcomed by all sides. Youth will quickly show candidates.
Association Reillanne / Tambacounda initially creates a special committee for the mounting of this project, but quickly, it shows a timidity and a refusal to bring this project to the responsibilities it entails. The Committee then withdrew from the association to create a collective name ADJA, Action Sustainable Jeune Afrique, which aims to facilitate exchanges between young people from 7 to 97 years, North-South and South-North. ADJA is also the name of the school where young people will make their first action, it is very symbolic! Meanwhile, the project was directed towards the construction of a classroom, the library room has been the subject of work by the Senegalese government in connection with student demonstrations in late 2006.
Creation of the association : October 2, 2006
To achieve its goals, the association does not help then benefits, decided to rely only on its own through an extensive volunteer efforts, especially the creation of events Art. A group of young forms quickly around Faby, Flo and Didier.
The three shows:
Ablaye Cissokho, July 24, 2006
Our first actions will be the concert Ablaye Cissoko, kora player and griot Senegalese, on the Esplanade Saint Denis Reillanne. A magnificent concert that will delight the 200 people present. The 129 paid admissions and the sale of cakes, cards, baobabs, African jewelry and we earn about 630 euros in profits.
Cabaret Tzigane, October 20, 2006
Around Martin Schaeffer, gypsy violinist present at that time in the region, we run with the full cooperation of Helmut Nünning and Vitalis Odile, parents of Leah and directors scenes in new circus, a Cabaret Tzigane Saint Michel l'Observatoire. A series of numbers carried by many artists and friends ravient spectators, while busy in the kitchen and bathroom, youth, their friends and relatives, to service restoration. We meet a great success with over 200 entries and about fifty people we must refuse lack of space. We sincerely thank the artists who have graciously offered their service: Martin Schaeffer, Helmut Nünning, Max, Didier, Sabrina, Gaelle, Cecilia, Comedia Mundi, Aksak, etc. ... and the mayor of San Miguel for the free loan of the hall .
Natty Sinsemilia and Canapacoustik, February 17, 2007
Christmas is coming and we are sure of nothing. We have on hand as 3500 euros, which is widely insufficient for a project estimated at 10,000 euros. We decided to strike a blow, and take the risk of organizing a reggae concerts in Forcalquier at the Fountain Room of the Good with Natty, a friend of Mathias, bassist and vocalist of the famous band Small Sins. The first part Canapacoustik, a festive group of Manosque, heats the room. The stakes are high, this is our last chance to complete the project and financial risks are not insignificant. We must put the package on the poster campaign and advertising. Everybody is mobilized. We return several times to the same places to put posters where they disappeared. The information is relayed by various radio stations (Radio Goofs, Radio Galerius), different newspapers and various websites. The organization is much larger than previous concerts. Finally the day came, we have 600 people including 500 paid admissions and make a profit of 3700 euros. The challenge is won.
Markets and Christmas Raffle
Meanwhile, young people are regularly markets Manosque and Apt Reillanne, braving the winter cold, to present their project, Senegalese sell jewelry, cakes they confectionnent themselves, CDs recorded at the Cabaret Tzigane, to collect memberships, etc. ... the 6 markets generate about 900 euros. But markets have also presented the double advantage of allowing young people to take ownership of the project, because they had to defend in front of strangers and make it known with the locals. This enabled them to gain confidence in themselves and strengthen their motivation, even if periods of doubt have crossed at one time or another.
The raffle, meanwhile, reported 400 euros and 3 means two lucky winners will walk away with half a lamb each, donated by parents Mathias and the last with a gift basket. This raffle is a chance to wish us a happy new year with a drink, some appetizers and especially musicians.
The grant applications and seeking sponsors
Convinced that subsidies can greatly help us, we are embarking upon the establishment of the association in writing a record result with our project. This research will require enormous investment in energy, time and money, the results actually quite low.
However, the eight months of research will lead us to obtaining a grant from the MSA of the Hautes Alpes and Alpes de Haute Provence. We are rewarded by January 24, 2007 the first prize in the "Call to Youth Project" for an amount of 2000 euros! This amount is then we salutary. Remember that this time the concert Natty has not yet taken place and we only have 3500 euros in his pocket.
Shortly after, the Departmental Direction of Youth and Sports grants us a price of 500 euros in the program "Let's act." We warmly thank both organizations for their valuable support.
In addition, many other applications have resulted in denial, or unable to return on time deposits as a application example for the Foreign Ministry, the Air France Foundation, the race in Solidarity (French Mutual Paca). Among the requests that were made, we can cite, for example Société Générale, Crédit Lyonnais, MAIF, Groupama, Lions Club, Rotary Club, the foundation Blachere, Bricorama, Yves Rocher, Pizza Manosque, etc ....
For next time, it is important to learn the lesson: do not be too short in time, take time to establish contacts and target more potential financiers.
Finally, it is important to remember that each participant gave a personal contribution of 300 euros, defined at the outset of the project is EUR 2700.
Subscription
early January, a subscription is established, it will bring 260 euros.
The stay from February 24 to March 11, 2007 City Council
Reillanne welcomed us the day before leaving for a pot of friendship. A banner is installed on the course of Thierry Argenlieu, noting that young people are in Tambacounda Reillanne to build a kindergarten classroom.
Departure as scheduled Feb. 24, 2007. We will not describe here the stay in Senegal, widely reported in the various reports of the participants, and about the Blog and rotating exhibition. Under the heat and the difficulties inherent in Africa, French and African youth supervised by three adults, realized in 12 days work collossal! The finishes will be provided by the Senegalese, for whom the work is planned and prepared. Today, before the quality of architecture, the school wants to go further and climb the brick walls of mud stabilized until under roof (they were originally planned for a height of 70 cm). On site, the group is hosted by the association Lane with which contact was established fruitful. Discovery Village Thianfara will rise to other projects and other desires.
The overall balance of stay is extremely positive at every point of view: First
because young people were well prepared and really knew why they were there. They had proved their motivation throughout the project preparation. It was theirs, and nothing on earth would they want to compromise. Great energy! Then
because a new classroom has emerged, despite the difficult conditions of site.
Because significant linkages were created between young French and Senegalese youth, and the mutual confrontation of cultures was a shock rewarding for all. This is a step toward understanding the other, towards tolerance and acceptance of differences.
Because these new links lead to new desires and new projects
Because young back in the lead with a wonderful experience to share and revelations about the conduct of their future.
Back March 11. In order not to disturb the young people who were preparing their exams, we decided to schedule the return trip and presentation of 1 July 2007 at the ballroom of Reillanne. We just ask everyone to quickly produce a personal account of his stay, while things are still fresh in their memory. Thus offering their emotions and discoveries.
Presentation of stay in the ballroom of Reillanne
The room is decorated with hangings African, African objects, youth donned their trinkets and charms. An exhibition of 15 panels photographs, illustrated texts included in the various reports is posted on the walls. A computer has a video loop of interviews and reviews of every young person registered on the last day in Senegal.
The evening begins with the broadcast of the stay (45 minutes) showing the evolution of the yard, places traveled, met people, the daily stages in Africa, etc ... Then every young person deals with a theme dear to him and he took care to prepare. Many emotions are reflected in their comments. There followed a discussion and questions from the audience.
A financial statement of the operation is presented, showing that the will of everyone has brought together more than 17,000 euros in eight months that they were used in the course for a classroom, but also the installation of a potable water system, the planting of one hectare of fruit trees, and with investment in a neighborhood association africaine (the Way), with which we have developed friendly links! But this is not all that money has allowed the encounter of two peoples and two cultures, with the resulting consequences on the lives of everyone. He also hosted the regional life with creation of three shows, the presence of youth market, a raffle, presentations and exhibition of films ...
And more ...
Since our return, we funded the end of the first part of the work on the class. A request
255 000 CFA has been made to complete it in mud brick. However, to ensure the implementation a bit more technical than the first part and does not undermine the achievement, we wish to be present during the second phase of work.
We honor our commitments with the village of Thianfara we fund at the beginning of the rainy season planting a hectare of mango and cashew, and we provide a complete production of drinking water (WATA system, developed by Antenna Technologies Switzerland), we we take care to put in office when our next move.
Acknowledgments We thank of course all those who helped us to implement this heavy machinery and without whom the project would not have happened ... the best rewards are still the success of this operation. At the risk of forgetting names, we thank :
Parents and friends of the young people present at each stage of project design;
The MSA DDJS;
Reillanne The Town Hall, St. Michael and Forcalquier;
Artists who have offered their service;
The Board Paca , SACEM;
Longo Mai, Radio Goofs;
Pharmacy Grambois;
The many donors
"I love Watermelons" and his dad ...
