Based on this experience with the 3 houses and combined with the experience of the organizations involved, FDE (SDO), ADI en Mission Culturelle Bandiagarra (see back ground information) and the ETSJ (Ecole Technique Saint Joseph Sevaré) and the vision supported broadly by the local and national governments, we made a proposal for an action plan for the period 2013-2017. The Foundation Dogon Education will take the lead in organizing this process. The most important role however, is that of the inhabitants of the village of Nando. The organization of the process will be based on their collaboration. We have spoken with the heads of the villages and heads of the families as well as the major of the village. It seems to them possible to renovate one neighborhood in a year so the process will take 3 years. Besides that there are some special buildings and elements like the wall around the village that will also take one year. The work by the village will been done from October to May, before and after the important harvest period and rainy season. The preparation for the work, documenting the several houses and organizing materials, can be done in the period June till October by the other team members.
Project planning and organization tasks
Tasks of the several members of the projects Foundation Dogon Education (FDE, or in Dutch Stichting Dogon Onderwijs , SDO): Responsible for the finance control, final reports, organizing exhibition (travelling) and publication (in English and French). In collaboration with LEVS architects in Amsterdam and Mopti (local office) and if possible students from the Technical School Sevaré, and students from the architectural school of Bamako. The project leader of FDE (SDO) will visit the work at least 3 times a year, combining the trip with other project, thus reducing the cost for travelling and other expenses. The communication with ADI, the office in Sevaré, will be weekly by skype and e-mail. The practical program of establishing the renovation will be prepared by FDE but the practical implementation will be done by ADI. Association Dogon Initiative (ADI) Organizing the fieldwork with the local several parties involved in the project with two technical project leaders and one financial and overall project leader. The work
from the office in Sevaré.
Mission Culturelle Bandiagara;
Before starting the projects, the work will be thoroughly reviewed with the Mission and for that reason they willaccompany FDE(SDO) during their visits to Nando.
Inhabitants Nando;
Most of the work will be done by the inhabitants of the village Nando. The heads of the neighborhoods have already given us a list with 20 young men and women in each neighborhood (total of 60) who will work together on the projects. Some of them will collect the proper banco (mud); some will work on the mélange (mixture) and preparation; the women will take care of the water; and finally there is a group formed for the ‘masonry and plastering’. This group will be available for almost four months the next years if financing will suffice.
Results of the project
The first result of the project is of course the complete renovation of the village of Nando and its mosque. The second result we hope to establish in the same period is reinforcement of the economic situation. Organizing schools, water, and improving agricultural methods by working together with IFD (Initiative Femme Dogon) The third result we hope to accomplish with the Mission Culturelle by organizing entrance fees for tourists, like has been done in Songho and Nombori. Thus making tourism provide as a part of the economic base for the village. We assume that the last result, the report and publications will stimulate this.
The fourth result we hope to establish is the growth of local knowledge and enthusiasm to build with local materials which is important for a durable and sustainable future of the area. The last result: Every year there will be a review of the project and a financial report. After finishing the project, which is estimated in 2017, there will be a complete review and
final financial specification. The publication shall be made in English and French and broadly available on internet as a learning process. The material will also be prepared
for a traveling exposition starting in Mopti in the Centre for earth architecture build by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture