It all started with one of those agencies that matches poverty-stricken children in third world countries with sponsors who commit to a monthly donation that is used to give the children a chance at a future.

Mandy Cushway of Oak Harbor was hooked, and when the opportunity came along to help an entire village of people, she jumped at it.

That opportunity is through an organization called The Jef Jel Project with Ndangane, Senegal, in western Africa. Cushway became involved by chance.

“Nine years ago I sponsored a girl there through the Christian Childrens’ fund,” Cushway said recently. She still sponsors that girl, Ndeba Sene, now 14.

A few years ago, Cushway’s best friend, who lives in Atlanta, told her of The Jef Jel Project. The founders live in Atlanta. Cushway’s friend thought she might be interested in the project, since she was already sponsoring a child in the same country.

Cushway began to volunteer with Jef Jel, actually travelling to Senegal in May 2000 to work to help villagers help themselves. Jef Jel, in the Wolof language of Senegal, means “give and take.”

While she was there, Cushway went to see Ndeba Sene. She also got to see first-hand how her contributions were put to good use through the other organization. Ndeba receives an education, medical treatment and food, through Cushway’s dedicated support over the past nine years. Ndeba has someone she can rely upon, someone who hasn’t let her down, someone who is giving her a future.

“She had every letter I’d written to her over the years,” Cushway said.

Pleased with the positive results of her contributions, Cushway knew she could make a difference as well in the lives of the villagers of Ndangane.

A small, rural village, natives often must leave to head for larger towns and cities in pursuit of occasional money-making opportunities. Venturing off is unpredictable and risky. The Jef Jel Project seeks to help the villagers become self-sustaining, by participating in local trade markets to the full potential of their natural and human resources.

“I believe people just need an opportunity. You can give people just one little thing to get them started…to sustain themselves,” Cushway said. “I think everyone deserves a chance to make their lives better.”

For their trip there in May 2000, Cushway and the other volunteers raised money and, once there, they purchased a horse and cart, and a pair of oxen, for the villagers. Additionally, they built huts and a latrine in the village, which has no running water or electricity. A group of volunteers there recently built a boat for the villagers.

Cushway is returning to Ndangane next month. The group is fundraising again in order to buy a motor for the boat.

“To be able to go out and fish and make money off that is one of the main ways they can profit,” Cushway said.

All of the money raised goes to the projects for the villagers. Cushway, as well as all the Jef Jel volunteers, pays her own travel and related expenses for her trips.

Other ways the volunteers hope to help the villagers is by drilling a well closer to the village — now they must walk very far to get water — and to help local craftspeople set up a marketplace to sell their wares and perhaps attract tourists. The Jef Jel Project also wants to help with medical and educational issues the villagers face.

The Jef Jel Project is a 501-C-3 non-profit corporation supported by Africa’s Childrens’ Fund. Cushway said that anybody can contribute to the cause, whether through offering ideas, donating personally, raising business sponsors or coming along for a future visit.

“It’s a people to people connection,” Cushway said. “It’s an experience to live how they live.”

Cushway plans to arrive in Senegal Nov. 6 for two weeks of volunteer work. She is looking forward to it.

“The people there are so friendly,” Cushway said. “Just amazing, amazing people.”

Send help

Donations to help the villagers of Ndangane, Senegal become self- sufficient may be made payable to:

Africa’s Children’s Fund

(For The Jef Jel Project)

Mailing address:

The Jef Jel Project

3031 Miller Road

Lithonia, GA 30038