Doulos Comunity supports a range of rural development projects in Mauritania. One project focuses on agricultural development, including loans for appropriate technology, and water projects. A second focuses on nutrition and health education.

In 2012, the Agricultural Development project provided 117 plows, 1500 meters of fencing and 11750 meters of barbed wire to local farmers. It also financed the installation of an irrigation pump for one community. In addition the project provided micro-loans to 14 communities, primarily to support the creation of community shops which allow local families to buy basic staples at a lower than normal price. Approximately 2500 adults and children directly benefitted from the project activities in 2012.

The health and nutrition project focuses on providing basic health services and training to families in the region, including blood pressure monitoring and counseling about a healthy diet, wound care and first aid training, nutritional training, and dental care. The project served approximately 2000 individuals in 2012.

Continuing to develop a 13 hectare orchard in the Gorgol region, in partnership with the U.S. business « Just Neem.» The orchard is planted with Neem trees and Mango trees, as well as some seasonal fruits and vegetables to serve as an income-generating project for the local community. In 2012 we sponsored the creation of a locally-registered business in Mauritania that will continue to expand and manage this project.

Ongoing support for seven Community Development Centers in the Arafat, El Mina, and Teyarett districts of Nouakchott. Through these centers Doulos provided support for 65 women’s self-help groups, including providing training in financial management, parenting, and community development. In the Arafat neighborhood Doulos also offered a training program for 20 community health volunteers. In Arafat and El Mina, Doulos supported and supervised 6 community kindergartens serving 130 preschool students, and sponsored two training workshops for 12 kindergarten teachers and teachers aides. Approximately 2000 local families have participated in some way in the activities of the Community Development Centers.
Expansion of our business development training program to help local entrepreneurs launch and manage small business. In 2012 we provided intensive training to 41 local entrepreneurs, and ongoing coaching of 26 previously- trained entrepreneurs, as well as training 5 local trainers to run the business training courses in the future

Running a nutritional rehabilitation program in the Sa’ada neighborhood of Nouakchott, a very poor area of the city with a population of about 24,000 families. In 2012, this program provided nutritional training and medical support to approximately 200 families with malnourished children. In addition the program offered a training program in nutrition and community development to 15 community health volunteers in October 2012. These volunteers conducted home visits to 105 families in the neighborhood to offer basic nutritional teaching and training regarding the importance of good hygiene in preventing disease.

Continued management of two centers to support Talibe boys (Koranic students sent to beg on the streets) in the neighborhoods of Sebkha and Teyarett in Nouakchott. The centers provide regular hot meals, literacy training, vocational training, and opportunities for recreation and sports to approximately 100 of the Talibe boys in Nouakchott. In addition, the program provides school scholarships to 25 of the older boys. In September 2012, the Talibé center in Sebkha hosted a special event, a two day training workshop on personal transformation and community development, attended by 20 of the oldest Talibé boys.