Sponsored Child Statistics Name: Mbaye Year of Birth: 1989 Community: Naffar, Senegal (Africa) Local Language: Serere Guardians: Uncle, who is a Store Keeper Aunt, who is a housewife
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Mbaye is an active boy who would like to become a lawyer. Mbaye's favorite sport is football, and he gets together with his friends to play as often as he can.

Mbaye is in the eighth grade of secondary school and is an average student. He travels by foot to school, which is approximately 45 minutes away. Mbaye's favorite subjects in school are mathematics, natural science and social sciences.

Children in this part of the world grow up fast and all must play their part in the family's progress and survival. Mbaye doesn't live with his parents, as his guardians needed help in their home. So Mbaye helps out his family with daily chores and small errands. Mbaye's household also includes two small male cousins.

Mbaye's family is fortunate enough to have a fresh water connection in their modest home, as well as indoor plumbing. The water is safe to drink at all times, but there is not enough water during both the dry and rainy seasons. Life is difficult in this area, and making ends meet is a struggle. The area fell victim to a locust invasion during 2004 that lasted from July to September that covered 65% of their territory. Despite having a promising rainy season, families couldn't harvest millet or peanut crops. All the watermelon fields that usual provide a small income to the residents were devasted by the locust invasion.

Mbaye's community has been benefitted by projects undertaken by Plan, including the rehabilitation and building of health posts and health huts, outfitted with equipment and the necessary drugs to fight against illnesses. The quality of the medical assistance has greatly improved with the training and recycling of health workers and traditional birthing attendants. An environmental program has been developed to fight against deforestation, and has involved the community in planting trees. Training has helped the community to construct improved firewood stoves that reduce firewood consumption, and has trained them in compost production to help enrich the soil and prevent soil erosion. Nutrition Education programs have been undertaken, which focus on providing improved nutrition especially to the young. In the village, vitamin A shots have been given to the children to aid in their nutritional support. Sanitation issues have been greatly improved through the implementation of a hygiene committee, where they were trained and provided with equipment such as carpet sweepers, shovels, wheel barrows, rubber gloves and boots, and other items for the cleaning of the village.

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