Doulos was started by a group of friends: alumni and students from Princeton University, after the visit of one of their number to the countries of the Sahel in 1982. The visit highlighted the great need of these countries in general, and the tiny number of NGOs at work in Mauritania in particular, when compared with its neighboring countries. In response to this, the group determined to explore together how they might address these needs. Group members took special interest in Mauritania from the outset, as they noted the tendency of humanitarian organizations to overlook Mauritania's needs and potential.
In the mid 1980s Doulos negotiated the agreements for recognition as an NGO with the Mauritanian government, and began program operations in Mauritania in its own right in 1987, assuming responsibility for a USAID funded maternal and child health (MCH) program that primarily operated in the slums and shantytowns of Nouakchott, Mauritania's capital.
Doulos continued to run this MCH program for than 20 years until March 2007, distributing 2,000+ metric tons of food annually to more than 20,000 mothers and children, and achieving excellent rehabilitation rates of malnourished children enrolled at its feeding centers. In addition it began expanding its activities both geographically into the south of Mauritania; and operationally, as it became more involved with community development activities. Whilst it is no longer directly involved with food distribution, Doulos still runs a small child nutrition and rehabilitation program in one of the poorest districts of Nouakchott.
Doulos Community has its roots in the USA but has become increasingly international, recruiting both personnel and financial support from a number of other countries including: Britain, Hong Kong, Switzerland, Norway and France. |
