Baraka is a poverty-stricken neighbourhood in the middle of the Senegalese capital Dakar in the Liberté VI district…
A unique showcase project: a slum in Dakar that has become home to about 2,000 people – more than half children and young people – is being transformed into the modern district of Cité Baraka. In order to improve the lives of the people, many different accompanying projects have been initiated so far: Pre-school and primary education, vocational training, women’s empowerment, health care, income generation and much more.
As the most important element, planning for the project “Cité Baraka – from slum to new neighbourhood” and the construction of more than 200 affordable social housing units in 11 architecturally appealing residential buildings on the site of the former slum began in 2016, ensuring that present and future generations have sustainable access to the basic needs for a dignified life.
In the meantime, half of the population of Baraka has already been able to move into new, bright social housing with running water, toilets, kitchens and balconies… In 2024, the remaining flats still under construction will be ready for occupation…
The construction project itself is financed by Mr Samih Sawiris’ group of companies, Casa Orascom, and carried out by the construction company SoReBa (Societé de Reconstruction de Baraka), founded especially for this purpose, with Senegalese architects, master builders and local construction companies.
The project is under the active patronage of the Senegalese President, H.E. Macky Sall and his “Zero Bidonville” policy. It is carried out in cooperation with the Senegalese Ministry of Urban Development.
“United Teams- the strategic alliance of the YOU Foundation – Education for Children in Need (Germany) and HOPE’87 (Vienna)”, together with HOPE’87-Sénégal, are implementing the social projects and ensuring the management of the new district.
Watch a short video about the progress of the construction work here…