- The Ndiourbel school canteen supported more than 150 children throughout the 2026 school year in Rosso, Mauritania.
- ARD Rosso implemented this project in partnership with the AASDI association, funded by FORIM and the French Development Agency.
- A handover ceremony brought together local authorities, partners, and the people of Ndiourbel after the completion of the work.
- The integrated canteen model combines a vegetable garden and a poultry farm to strengthen the food autonomy of the facility.
A sustainable school canteen project at the heart of Ndiourbel
Throughout the 2026 school year, our association implemented a school canteen project at the Ndiourbel school in Rosso, Mauritania. This initiative was made possible through a close partnership with the AASDI association, as part of the PRA/OSIM program. Funding was provided by FORIM and the French Development Agency, with the active participation of our association, our partners, and the local community.
The goal of this project is to enable children to receive regular, balanced meals. This adapted nutrition improves their learning conditions, promotes attendance, and helps combat school dropout. Our approach is part of a broader vision of education support in Rosso, where every action aims to create an environment conducive to children’s success.
A unifying handover ceremony
After the completion of the work and the installation of the equipment, we organized a handover ceremony in the presence of local authorities, school officials, our partners, parents, and the people of Ndiourbel. This gathering provided an opportunity to present the concrete achievements, reiterate the project’s goals, and thank all those who contributed to its realization.
The strong turnout of residents reflects the importance of this canteen for the school and the wider community. This collective mobilization reinforces our commitment to building projects with the people, never without them. The rich discussions during this event naturally guided our reflections toward the long-term sustainability of the facility.
How is the Ndiourbel canteen transforming the daily lives of over 150 children?
Following the handover, canteen activities began with the organization of staff, meal preparation, and regular food distribution. Throughout the school year, local teams, school officials, parents, and community members all came together to ensure the smooth operation of the facility.
In total, more than 150 beneficiaries were able to receive meals under improved conditions. The positive feedback on our social page highlights the concrete impact of the project on the lives of students and their families. This canteen contributes directly to:
- improving school attendance and enrollment;
- promoting children’s concentration during classes;
- reducing the risk of school dropout;
- easing the burden on the most vulnerable families;
- strengthening the involvement of parents and community members in school life.
The impact goes far beyond the meal itself. The entire educational dynamic of Ndiourbel has been revitalized, creating a virtuous circle that benefits both students and families.
An integrated canteen combining a vegetable garden and a poultry farm
The distinctive feature of the Ndiourbel project lies in its integrated and sustainable school canteen model. While its operations benefit from the support of our association and our partners, the canteen also relies on two productive activities set up within the school: a vegetable garden designed to supply fresh produce, and a poultry farm that gradually contributes to the canteen’s food supply.
The output from the garden and the poultry farm supplements the food supplies provided by partners. This helps improve meal diversity, gradually reduce supply costs, and strengthen the canteen’s autonomy. This model therefore combines solidarity, nutrition, education, local production, and environmental protection.
Raising students’ awareness about balanced nutrition
The Ndiourbel project goes beyond the simple distribution of meals. It aims to establish a sustainable system capable of gradually relying on locally produced resources and the commitment of the entire community. This model also helps raise students’ awareness of agricultural practices, the importance of balanced nutrition, and the sustainable management of resources. This comprehensive approach perfectly complements our commitment to the Ndiourbel school initiated several years ago.
Building a sustainable project with the entire community
The success of this initiative rests on a participatory approach involving the school, local authorities, parents, the community, the AASDI association, and our partners. We would like to extend our warmest thanks to FORIM, the French Development Agency, the AASDI association, the authorities, educational teams, volunteers, parents, and the residents of Ndiourbel for their contribution to the success of this initiative. ARD Rosso continues its efforts to ensure every child has better learning conditions and every opportunity to succeed.
Acting together, every gesture counts.
