Creating Brighter Futures for Children in Need
At Jango Project, our mission is to create brighter futures for children in need by addressing three primary areas of concern: education, nutrition, and environment. Founded in 2018 by a former Peace Corps Senegal volunteer, we recognized the necessity for continued simple interventions that would allow much greater access to opportunity for bright, beautiful, and curious children.
Perspective
Understanding Developing Countries:
A developing country refers to a nation with a lower income level, limited infrastructure, and various socio-economic challenges. These countries often face issues such as poverty, inadequate access to education and healthcare, food insecurity, and environmental degradation. Despite their potential, children in developing countries often lack the resources and opportunities necessary to break the cycle of poverty and fulfill their potential.
Moral and Economic Incentives:
We strongly believe that we, as individuals and communities with the means to help, have both moral and economic incentives to support children in developing countries. Morally, it is our responsibility to ensure that all children, regardless of their circumstances, have access to basic rights, including education, nutrition, and a clean environment. Economically, investing in the well-being and development of children in these regions can lead to long-term benefits, such as a more educated workforce, reduced poverty rates, and increased political and social stability.
Three Branches
Education: Empowering Young Minds
Quality education is the foundation for breaking the cycle of poverty and empowering children to build brighter futures. Unfortunately, many children in developing countries lack access to proper schooling, teachers, and resources. This threatens their quality of life and hinders their potential to contribute to society.
Threats to Quality of Life:
Limited access to education leads to a lack of knowledge, skills, and opportunities for personal growth. This perpetuates poverty, restricts social mobility, and limits economic development in the long run.
Cost-Effective Solutions:
Establishing local preschools and daycares can provide early childhood education, fostering cognitive and social development. Supporting community-led initiatives to improve school infrastructure, train teachers, and provide learning materials can enhance the quality of education. Additionally, promoting inclusive and accessible education for girls and children with disabilities ensures equal opportunities for all.
Nutrition: Fueling Healthy Development
Proper nutrition is vital for children's physical and cognitive development. In many developing countries, malnutrition and food insecurity are prevalent, leading to stunted growth, weakened immune systems, and learning difficulties.
Threats to Quality of Life:
Insufficient access to nutritious food inhibits children's growth and development, making them more susceptible to illnesses and hindering their ability to learn and thrive.
Cost-Effective Solutions:
Implementing local gardens and sustainable agricultural practices can provide communities with a consistent supply of fresh fruits and vegetables, improving food security and nutrition. Educating families about balanced diets, breastfeeding, and proper hygiene practices enhances child health. Collaborating with local farmers and organizations to establish affordable and accessible food distribution systems can also ensure the availability of nutritious food.
Environment:
Preserving Our Planet for Future Generations
Environmental degradation poses significant threats to the well-being of children in developing countries. Issues such as deforestation, pollution, and lack of access to clean water and sanitation facilities jeopardize their health, safety, and overall quality of life.
Threats to Quality of Life:
Environmental challenges contribute to the spread of diseases, unsafe drinking water, and inadequate sanitation, leading to illness, decreased productivity, and a diminished sense of well-being.
Cost-Effective Solutions:
Investing in clean water systems, promoting sustainable practices, and raising awareness about environmental conservation can greatly improve the quality of life for children. Implementing waste management programs, supporting reforestation efforts, and educating communities about the importance of environmental stewardship will pave the way for a healthier and more sustainable
Development Done People First
The Jango Project is committed to creating positive social impact by adopting innovative and ethical approaches to development. At the heart of our mission lies the belief that prioritizing the well-being, dignity, and agency of individuals and communities is essential for sustainable and meaningful change. In line with this philosophy, the Jango Project has embraced the P-FIM | People First Impact Method as a core framework to guide our initiatives, ensuring that we remain accountable, inclusive, and effective in our work.
Understanding the People First Impact Method (P-FIM):
P-FIM is a transformative framework that empowers organizations and individuals to create social impact by placing people at the forefront of decision-making processes. By integrating ethical considerations, social responsibility, and human rights into our strategies, the Jango Project aims to foster a holistic and sustainable approach to development. The principles of P-FIM guide our work, enabling us to maximize positive outcomes while respecting the inherent dignity and diversity of the individuals and communities we serve.
History
The Jango Project is a non-profit organization with a remarkable history, founded by an individual who served as a Peace Corps Senegal health volunteer starting in 2016. The founder, Conor Byrnes, arrived in a small village with the desire to make a positive impact on the lives of its people.
During his time in the village, Conor became deeply attached to the community, witnessing both their struggles and aspirations. And after leaving 6 months early to pursue higher education, Conor made a promise to continue working with the community, once the US Peace Corps decided to close the site.
Determined to honor his commitment, once the Peace Corp’s site was closed, Conor sought to identify the most pressing needs of the village. Through discussions with the villagers, it became clear that early childhood education was crucially absent. The majority of children in the village faced challenges in understanding and communicating in French when they began formal schooling, which all takes place in French.
In response to this need, Conor embarked on a mission to establish a preschool, locally known as "une case de tout-petits". This preschool aimed to provide cultural education, day-care services, nutritional lunch distribution, and preparation for the public school system.
From Berlin, Jango Project began budgeting and crowd-funding for the preschool project. Overcoming various social and financial obstacles, the first preschool was built by 2018, and another one followed suit in 2022. These schools, fully recognized by the government, were locally managed and provided daily lunches to over 70 students between the ages of 4 and 7 years old.
The success and fulfillment derived from these projects encouraged the founder to establish the Jango Project as a formal organization. He, along with his family, registered the project as a 501-c3 non-profit organization in December of 2022. The Jango Project's mission expanded to encompass projects and programs supporting children's healthy development in developing countries, focusing on education, nutrition, and the environment.
Beyond the borders of Senegal, the Jango Project ventured into new territories. One of their notable initiatives involved building a playground in Kenya's slums, entirely constructed from recycled materials. Collaborating with a local partner met in Paris, the project aimed to provide children with a safe and enjoyable space for play and recreation.
As the Jango Project looks ahead, it is preparing for a relaunch with more professional fundraising campaigns. The organization is actively seeking trustworthy partners with viable ideas to expand its work. The focus remains on areas where there is strong local need and support have already been established, including Dakar, south of Marrakech, north of Mumbai, rural northern Senegal, and outside of Nairobi, Kenya.
The Jango Project's approach, based on the People First Impact Method (P-FIM), reflects the founder's deep commitment to community-driven initiatives that address the specific needs and aspirations of the people they aim to serve. Through empowering communities and fostering children's healthy development, the Jango Project envisions a future where every child has access to quality education, proper nutrition, and a sustainable environment, regardless of their circumstances. With the founder's dedication and passion, the Jango Project continues to make a profound difference in the lives of numerous children and communities worldwide.
