Projects

We have a computer lab at Dekpor Basic School unlike anything in the entire region. There are 41 raspberry pi stations, thanks to our friends in Austria. And really, it all comes down to Philip Schäffer who is the key person behind the entire functioning of our current computer lab! Philip has visited several times and with each visit he improves the lab for the good of the students.

Huge multipurpose bowls are considered a necessity in Dekpor. They are well-made, last for years, and can help accomplish a lot of tasks.

From carrying water, to collecting firewood or crops, preparing and serving food, bathing the family, doing the laundry, and so many other practical uses, they are needed EVERY SINGLE DAY.

We are so grateful to the many people who jumped on board to help us purchase 120 of them! Yes, the largest bulk buy of these bowls in our history! This puts our running total at 225.

Well, no one wants to think about it, but maintaining the toilet facilities is a necessity. Pumping out the holding tanks needs to happen and we are incredibly grateful that we have donors who understand that not all jobs are glamourous. Yia Town Toilet #1 was a project that DSDO had to assume since the town had started but was unable to see the project through to completion. The design was not ours and, subsequently, the holding tank is not large enough for the number of users. Yia #1 needed pumping. And, after almost 5 years in use, it was time to look after Dekpor Yia Town Toilet Facility #2.

We like to make Farming Tools one of our annual holiday campaigns because the need is great ... and constant. Pretty much everyone in Dekpor is a subsistence farmer. Without owning a tractor or rototiller, they attempt to clear unploughed land to grow crops. Even the maintenance weeding is a huge, difficult chore. The preferred tools are an adze and a machete, so that is precisely what DSDO distributes.

This project was started late in 2019 and we have continued to expand!

At the end of December 2020, all 10 buildings were in place on their foundations, although several were still heavily under construction. Some of the stores opened in late December, and now, here we are in 2021 with more of the shops opening up their doors for business!

Be sure to take a look at the little schematic that shows the location, what is available, who is responsible for the shop, and when it opened.

Well, there was quite the lead up for Health Week to actually happen and loads of individuals who helped make it a reality!

The funding was put in place November 2019 when DSDO was chosen as the recipient charity for the annual gala hosted by Emajjin Children's Foundation, however, the mid-March 2020 scheduled timing got thrown by the wayside as the pandemic swept the globe. Thankfully, Dekpor has been kept safe from the virus, and this most exciting endeavour was given the green light for February 2021.

A team of 3 dentists and 3 vision nurses came from Sogakope.

Building upkeep is important. In April, May, and June, the painting of some of our buildings took place.

What got tidied up?

The third year running this campaign and it was another beautiful success! Many of the kids you see in our photos don't actually have anything under their outer layer of clothing. Basics are a matter of hygiene and pride.

An incredible $6466 was raised in the month of March and we were able to outfit 220 students!

We are most pleased about this latest purchase! This is a delivery of 100 brand new manufactured desks. We previously had 140 manufactured double desks (seating for 280 students), and with these new single-seaters, now have 380 long-lasting spots for our students.

Why is this a big deal? Well, all of the desks we have in Dekpor are of the home-made variety--picture hand-sawn pieces of wood held together by nails, not screws. Do they wiggle? Yes. Do they fall apart? Yes. Do they require frequent repairs? Yes. Do we have 3 kids crammed into desks? Yes.

There are 18 new street lights in Dekpor! This was a collaboration, with the majority of funding coming via our amazing DSDO supporters.

Five of the actual lights in Dome were supplied by James Avedzi, the local MP in Dekpor; the 13 that are installed in Dekpor Yia were purchased by individuals. DSDO financed the labour, the poles, and all the rest of the needed materials.

Since Dekpor is basically on the equator, it is pitch black for 12 hours/day. There are plenty of people who have no source of electricity or light in their home. Lighting ensures safety when one heads outside at night!

Let there be light!