Water Infrastructure at the Badian Camp
The Solidarity Camps project in Badian, Senegal transforms rural communities through solidarity tourism and sustainable access to water and energy.
Managed by the local community, this eco-tourism camp has been fostering local development for 21 years by improving infrastructure and services while promoting employment and sustainable tourism.
The current priority is connecting the camp to the public water network to ensure continuous water supply. This will enhance the quality of life for both residents and visitors and strengthen community autonomy.
Badian is a rural village in Eastern Senegal that until recently lacked full access to basic services such as potable water and electricity. These shortages limit local quality of life and socioeconomic development. The solidarity ecocampground aims to reverse this situation by promoting employment and sustainable development through tourism, a key element for social and economic inclusion in the region.
Geographic and Demographic
Badian is located in the País Bassari region, with a population mainly of Malenke ethnicity. It is a remote area with low population density and limited natural resources, making access to basic infrastructure and economic opportunities challenging for its inhabitants.
Socioeconomic
The local economy relies largely on subsistence agriculture and emerging community-based tourism. The ecocamp generates both direct and indirect employment, acting as an economic driver that promotes social improvements and income growth, although the region continues to face poverty and vulnerability.
Cultural
The community maintains strong traditional roots and customs of the Malenke ethnic group. This project respects and promotes their culture, encouraging local participation and autonomous management of ecotourism as a strategy to preserve their identity and support cultural sustainability.
Sustainable Installation for the Ecocamp
The project has been implemented at the Solidarity Ecocamp in Badian since 2003, with ongoing improvements. In 2023, the camp was connected to the electrical grid, and efforts are now underway to install water supply infrastructure through connection to the public water network, including reservoirs and pipelines for all facilities. The goal is to ensure a constant supply of potable water and enhance services for both tourists and the local community.
Participatory Methodology
The project execution will be technically supervised from Spain and locally by camp staff, ensuring local procurement of materials and hiring of skilled labor. Construction will follow a sustainable approach, alongside training for local teams in management and maintenance.
Infrastructure and Equipment
Includes building a 2,000-liter elevated water tank, pipelines, shut-off valves, renovated toilets and showers, and connection to the community Health Center to guarantee supply during emergencies, integrating the infrastructure into the community.
Beneficiaries and Local Development
Direct beneficiaries include camp staff and tourists, with indirect benefits for the Badian village and local businesses through job creation and economic growth. Additionally, the project supports training for sustainable management and conservation of essential natural resources.
The Solidarity Camps project in Badian represents a tangible transformation for a disadvantaged rural community by providing access to essential basic services such as water and electricity and strengthening a self-managed solidarity tourism model. This initiative contributes to improved quality of life, job creation, and the preservation of the local environment and culture.
In doing so, it reinforces social inclusion, sustainable economic development, and the well-being of rural communities in Senegal.
Sustainability and Future
With a community management and maintenance manual, the project aims to endure over time by promoting responsible water resource conservation and proper care of the infrastructure for the benefit of future generations.
Alignment with the SDGs
- SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation): Ensuring continuous and sustainable access to potable water.
- SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy): Permanent electrical connection.
- SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth): Creating local employment through tourism.
- SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities): Improving community infrastructure.
- SDG 15 (Life on Land): Promoting environmentally respectful tourism.
