Doulos main operations are based in two of the most vulnerable areas of Mauritania: the urban slums of the capital city, Nouakchott; and the rural areas of the Guidimagha, the southern-most province of the country. A common feature of all our programs is that they focus on community development: empowering and equipping communities to work to improve their lives. Because our expatriate staff live amongst the people we serve, and because we work closely with Mauritanian partners, we are uniquely placed to understand the issues faced by the poor of Mauritania, and to devise appropriate responses.
Nouakchott in particular; and Mauritania in general, has experienced a huge amount of change in the past 30-40 years. It has moved from a largely nomadic, rural society, to one where some 70% live in urban areas. This has led to fractured communities and isolated individuals, and a general powerlessness within the population to advocate or work for change. Our community programs are designed to bring communities together, thereby promoting and enhancing community cohesion. |
