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• Domaine :

  Health

• Région :

  Africa

• Pays :

  Burkina Faso

The project: 

The construction of a fish pond to farm Tilapia 

The request: 

2nd May 2015

To: Coup de Cœur Foundation
From: Michel Allaire

Good evening Jean and Fatima,

I was very happy to speak to you both over the phone yesterday. Even though nowadays I feel right at home in Burkina Faso, it’s always heartwarming talking to you in Quebec. 
As understood, under the strong 42ºC heat, I’m sending you information about this project concerning the Tilapia fish farming. We’re expecting beneficial rainfall tonight, because the sky is overcast…I think I’ll go out and dance in the rain, even at midnight,because we haven’t seen a single drop of rain for eight months….  
Project description: 
Our aim is to build a fish pond to farm Tilapia, in the village of Tang Sega, in Burkina Faso.
For already a year now, we’ve had our first fish farming pond and that brings a good yield, but a second fish pond has proven necessary, especially as one Tilapia produces 800 eggs a year.
The principal is simple: the solar powered pump pumps water to the water tower where the overflow flows directly into the Tilapia pond bringing them the necessary oxygen to survive.
The fish pond overflow then falls into the other ponds in domestic gardens and specialists confirm that the water coming from the Tilapia farm is highly beneficial for the growth of vegetables because it brings with it an additional vitamin enriched organic fertilizer.
These fish will be clean and ready for consumption within six months. The women’s association in Tang Sega will serve as an intermediary body selling the Tilapia in the neighbouring markers, thus finding a significant source of income for their families and close friends. 
The Tilapia fish pond will be a big welded basin: 4 metres x 2m, 80 x 1.10m high. At our expense and with a French partner, we have made the borehole which gives 8m³ of water per hour. 
We’ve also put in the solar pump and fixed the water supply to the new water tower where the water will pour into the new Tilapia pond and the excess water will flow down to water the 400 fruit trees in the orchard. This way nothing is lost…because in this Sahelien country water is a real blessing.  
We are asking Coup de Cœur Foundation for the sum of $1,000 (CAD) to pay for the new fish pond to farm the Tilapia.
Viability:
Our previous experience in this area here in Burkina Faso (and also in Mali), has encouraged us to peruse this project – something we feel deeply hopeful about because as well as facilitating both the farming of the Tilapia fish and a quick production of Tilapia in favorable conditions, these fish will provide a vitamin supplement for household sauces and give the neighbouring villagers a better means of feeding themselves. The fish will also be a source of income for the women.  
I hope that you will help us once again to allow us to pursue this project.
Your (favourite!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) Partner in Burkina Faso
Michel Allaire, 
Aid worker in the village of Tang Sega, Burkina Faso
Number of beneficiaries 1,200 people
Total project cost $ 7,000.00 
Bishop Denis Croteau Development Foundation & a French partner $ 6,000.00 
Coup de Cœur Foundation $ 1,000.00 

Financial contributions:
 

Number of beneficiaries	1 200 personnes
Total project cost	$ 7,000.00
Fondation Mgr Denis Croteau & a French partner	$ 6,000.00
Fondation Coup de Coeur	$ 1,000.00

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Attached to Michel Allaire’s email, dated 2nd May 2015:
Something to make you laugh, 
Yesterday, I welcomed some elderly farmers from a neighbouring village. They could clearly see the water coming out of the hose on its own from the solar powered water pump. They asked me: “But who’s pumping the water?”. I explained to them that it was the sun…They looked at me sceptically…. 
I then told them that I even had some fish on the hill, in pond number 1…They came to see me and said: "But fish are always below the hills, in the swamps and rivers…" I told them that we farm fish on hills…They couldn’t believe their eyes…and one of the elderly men said in his local language: "This Father who’s explaining to us that it’s the sun that draws the water out from under the ground…and who farms fish on hills, he’s a bit mad isn’t he?!" The young employees had a good laugh…and they told me about the elderly man’s comments! 
Yes, I believe you have to be a bit mad….to search for underground water sources in such dry ground!
You have to be a bit mad to meander around in a Renault van, with no air conditioning, under the sun – which is 42 degrees in the shade…in order to go back and forth to villages out in the sticks who have asked for a borehole where they live…
You have to be a bit mad to believe that giving a helping hand will allow hundreds of people to earn an honorable living and assure a sustainable future, for them and their children. 
May this “madness” win the hearts of many people and engulf our world to make it a better and more beautiful place. 

All my best wishes, 

Michel