Origins
Hi. My name is Jenny Devaud. I am the Founder of OWEN Project. I became involved and interested in Senegal from sponsoring a child, Ameth Dieye, for many years though PLAN-International; we corresponded from time to time and when he turned 18, our relationship through PLAN was terminated. I did not want to lose contact with him! In 2019, I went to meet Ameth in person, in Mpal, a small-ish city north of Dakar (see below for more..**). During that trip, I experienced the well-known teranga (Wolof, meaning warmth and hospitality) of the Senegalese people, and learned how difficult it is to start a business.
The largest project, OWEN Pirogue (traditional fishing boat), constructed OWEN in March 2023, and Ariane in May 2024. My partner, Makale, grew up in Yoff as a fisherman, part of the Lebu ethnic group. He's a savvy business man, who has worked in this community all his life, and inspired me with his "can-do" spirit and "getting it done'". Additionally, OWEN Project has provided funds for five additional businesses: four sewing machines for three businesses, a half bale of childrens' clothing , and cosmetics and fabrics for resale. Four of those businesses are women-owned.
OWEN Project was founded as a way to honor and remember my grandson, Owen Julian McKinnon, who tragically passed away at 8 weeks of age. He was born full term and beautiful, but with a rare terminal genetic defect, Alveolar Capillary Dysplasia (ACD).
** I thought that surely I could find Ameth through FB. I did not know that Ameth's name is actually Mohammed, nor that Mohammed Dieye is a very common name. I did have a photograph of him, though. And when I looked through all my correspondence, I saw that he lived in Mpal. A young Senegalese man who responded to my pleas for help on FB, went to Mpal with the photograph and asked around. Upon arrival in Mpal, the taxi driver said the boy was his nephew. Upon arrival at the house, Iba asked for proof that he had an American sponsor, and Ameth came out of his room with an old photo of myself, with my husband and dog.
Ameth now lives in Milan, Italy. I helped him to go there to join his father. With great difficulty and courage, he now has his working papers, has a job repairing small motors, and sends money back to his family so that they can build a proper house. I am so proud of him. And grateful that I could help him along the way.
His uncle is Ousmane Gaye, whose photo is on the Who We Are page, with me.