The Diapalante Journey
Diapalante is Founded (2005)
The Diapalante Journey
APLT
APLT (2004–05)
Caroline Chandler spent her gap year in Mauritania, placed by Project Trust, to volunteer with a local non profit APLT (Association des producteurs latiers transhumants).
APLT
APLT (2004–05)
APLT set up crucial infrastructure such as vaccination parks and veterinary visits to protect livestock and improve the sustainability of the herders lifestyle and the local food supply.
A Chance Meeting
A Chance Meeting (2004-5)
During that year she and her project partner Emily Charlton (current Trustee) became friends with Mamadou Kane. That friendship would eventually lead to the creation of the Diapalante Community Education Centre.
Diapalante is founded
Diapalante is Founded (2005)
Inspired by the work of APLT, Ian and Liz Chandler founded Diapalante. The charity's first project funded a cattle vaccination park that helped improve livestock health and herders' livelihoods.
Supporting people with disabilities
Supporting People with Disabilities
Our local partner Ibrahim Diallo, who had worked with Caroline at APLT, and a local organisation representing people with disabilities in Rosso, proposed the development of a vocational workshop where they could learn skills and earn an income.
Local workshop opens
Supporting People with Disabilities
A local workshop run by and for people with disabilities was opened in 2007 and practiced cloth dyeing, sewing, and shoe and boot repair.
Slide 2
Local Funding Achieved
The funding was passed to the local council some years later and Diallo's veterinary work took him away from the region.
A Wheelchair Project
A Mobility Project
The "Atelier des handicapés" highlighted the large number of people in need of wheelchairs. Diapalante partnered with The Wheelchair Foundation in the USA, to donate 100 wheelchairs for distribution to people with severe mobility difficulties.
Mamadou visits the UK
Mamadou Visits the UK (2007)
Invited to the UK on holiday, Mamadou spoke with Diapalante trustees about the educational challenges facing children and adults in Senegal. (Mamadou, Samantha (trustee), Caroline (former trustee), Ian (trustee).
A New Vision
A New Vision
Over the next few years conversations and research continued by Skype and email discussing how and whether an education project would create opportunities for the local community in Mamadou's home city of Kaolack in Senegal.
Centre Opens (2010)
Diapalante Community Education Centre Opens (2010)
In October 2010 the Diapalante Community Education Centre opened, teaching English and computer skills. Mamadou was the Centre's co-ordinator - for the first few years this was an unpaid post.
The Centre Today
Centre Opens (2010)
Diapalante Community Education Centre Today
Many years later the Centre is busy and crowded -helping over 500 people annually.
