Page 68 - 80 YEARS OF VOLUNTEER IMPACT WITH FAO

Forestry Protecting forests, rebuilding balance

CREATING GREEN JOBS IN SENEGAL

The Resilience and Intensive Reforestation Project for the Safeguarding of Territories At the heart of this community-driven initiative have been three UN Community
and Ecosystems in Senegal (RIPOSTES) is an ambitious project, also known locally as Volunteers assigned to FAO: Fatoumata Ka, Abdoulahat Ngom and Amadou Fall, who
Dooleel Aalam in Wolof. This is a joint initiative of the Ministry of Environment, the worked directly with communities on degraded land. Makhfousse Sarr, Programme
European Union and FAO aimed at bringing 10,000 hectares of land back to life and Officer at FAO, worked closely with them and other UN Volunteers to help translate
create 8,000 green jobs in the country. the project’s vision into daily action on the ground.

Amadou Fall

In the rural village of Lougere Thioly in eastern Senegal, UN Volunteer Amadou Fall
helped restore damaged land and bring new opportunities to his community. He
64 worked with farmers, local leaders and partners to make sure everyone worked
together and moved in the same direction.

As part of the RIPOSTES project, Amadou helped raise awareness about the project,
supported reforestation work and collected information from the field. He also helped
communities start small projects using forest products like fruits, nuts and medicinal
plants; new ways for families to earn a living.

“For me, volunteering is not just about serving; it’s about being part of local solutions
alongside local actors,” he said. “Being a young beneficiary of the system, I feel a strong
call to give back to my community and my nation.”

At 30, Amadou is proud to support his community. His work helped people take care
of their land while building a more hopeful future, right where they live.

Amadou Fall (left), UN Community Volunteer Community Liaison Officer in
Lougere Thioly, preparing nurseries for reforestation. [UNV, 2023]