“The Power in People” April – June 2015 “THE NEXT TIME I APPOINT A MEMBER OF THE DISTRICT TRIBUNAL, IT WILL BE A WOMAN”  “The next time I appoint a member of the district tribunal, it will be a woman….1 Chief Momodou Chatty Cham

 ActionAid bids farewell to two members of staffs …………3

 ActionAid signs grant agreement with the British Embassy…………………………………5

 Kerr Cherno is ADWAC‟s Newest Eco-zone……………………6

 “I never knew it‟s a right to know your rights” …………….7

 ActionAid-EU partnership: A beneficiary‟s perspective……9

 Group Juboo receives boost from sponsors ...………………….10

 Healthy soil bulds resilience to climate change.……………….12

 Climate Resilient Sustainable Agriculture.………13

 Yama Secka and the Seeds Store ……………………………...….14

 AAITG signs new agreement with Global Fund………………….14 Photo caption

 AAITG and Senegal agree to THE NEXT TIME I APPOINT A place in the village of Juffure strengthen collaboration on CRSA………………………………….…15 MEMBER OF THE DISTRICT in the North Bank Region and TRIBUNAL, IT WILL BE A was geared towards enforcing WOMAN. This statement was policies that ensure security of made by Chief Momodou tenure for Women small holder EDITOR – IN – CHIEF Chatty Cham of Upper Niumi farmers, promoting women‟s Omar Badji at the Stakeholder inclusion and participation in

engagement supporting decision-making processes at EDITOR women‟s control and the Local Government Jainaba Nyang-Njie ownership of land and Authority level and beyond,

women‟s inclusion in District empowerment of women small

ASST. EDITOR Tribunals. The engagement holder farmers to resist, claim Mohamed L. Touray with local government and defend their rights to authorities was organised by land; and creating awareness the Agency for the on the negative impact of EDITORIAL BOARD: Development of Women And culture/religious

Jainaba Nyang – Njie Children (ADWAC), the youth misinterpretations that impede arm of ActionAid - ACTIVISTA women‟s ownership and Almamo Barrow and ActionAid International control over land. Momodou Wuri Jallow from 9th to 11th Madi Ceesay June 2015. It took Haddy Sanneh 1 Cont’d on page 2

Theodore Joof

“THE NEXT TIME I APPOINT A MEMBER OF THE DISTRICT TRIBUNAL, IT WILL BE A WOMAN”

Cont’d from page 1 will be a woman‟. This was Deputising for the Governor, The Stakeholder Engagement greeted with wide applause by Tafa Saidy recognised the took the form of a role play by the audience. Chief Cham effort of the Gender Action students and speeches from gave his full support to Groups (GAGs) and rural local authorities and the women‟s control and Women‟s Assembly stating organisers. It was interesting ownership of land but noted they are serving the Council of to observe that while 3 Alkalos that this is largely based on Elders, and urged them to three areas: customary law transfer their approach to all were scheduled to speak on behalf of other Alkalos based (which emphasises community parts of the country because ownership rather than of the good work they are on their own choosing, 8 Alkalos wanted to speak and individual); Islamic sharia law; doing. For him, there is no so the floor was opened to all and common law. He question about women‟s of them. All of them willingly emphasised that the inclusion in the tribunal since supported women‟s control traditional process should be women are lawyers, Ministers, and ownership of land as well followed if we want to support Permanent Secretaries and as their inclusion in the District women‟s control and Vice Presidents. Therefore Tribunal. The woman Alkalo of ownership of land in order to women should be members of Juffureh AjaTakko Taal, Lamin get the entitlement according District Tribunals and that they Jarju of ADWAC and to the customary law. The should emulate the President ActionAid‟s Programme chief expressed his happiness who has appointed women in Specialist for Governance & with the campaign process and many top positions. Tafa Partnership Saikou Kawsu its attendant significant reassured the meeting of his Gassama all spoke at the messages and even extended office‟s support for women‟s meeting and provided the an invitation to the drama inclusion in District Tribunals. context of the engagement. group to do a performance in

his court in Jurunkuto serve as The campaign team from The role-play by Students of a reminder to his people, ADWAC, ACTIVISTA and

Aja Asombi Bojang of Albreda saying he will invite his ActionAid expressed gratitude Alkalos, District Tribunal for the commitment by the Senior Secondary School was loaded with humour but with Members to witness the Chief and expressed the need performance so that they can for follow ups, as the saying underlying powerful and serious messages highlighting benefit from the messages goes “strike the iron whilst it‟s the plight of women, and being disseminated through hot.” supporting their control and the performance. The Chief ownership of land as well as also expressed the need for Saikou Kawsu Gassama capacity development in Manager, Governance and inclusion in the District Partnership Tribunal. Another powerful customary and Islamic sharia play was relayed by the law. women themselves filled with similar themes while also bringing out related challenging issues they face in the society.

Speaking at the ceremony, Chief Momodou Chatty Cham took the floor by storm and stated: „the next time I appoint a member of the district tribunal (kitidingno), it Tako Taal, Alkalo of Juffureh

Participants at the meeting 2 Insert Photo

ActionAid bids farewell to 2 members of staff

noted that it will be difficult to fill the void created by these

hardworking ladies. Recounting how much we have benefited from their talent all these years, Gaye said the two had shown nothing but love for their job, commitment and team spirit and above all a common love for improving the life of the poor in this country. „It is one thing to do a job but it is quite another to see oneself so attached to the people you aim to serve‟, said Ousman. These sterling qualities in both of them were echoed by the various speakers who spoke at the Marie Mendy Kadijatou Jallow ceremony.

In the month of August 2015, Omar spoke highly of the Heads of departments or their ActionAid International The commitment and hard work of representatives and project Gambia bade farewell to two Marie and Kadijatou and the staff spoke of the cordial dear colleagues namely Marie way and manner they have working relationship they have Mendy and Kadijatou carried out their work. He had with the two retirees and Baldeh who served this prayed for their success and how the two have supported organization for a combined wished them well in their them in their various areas of total of thirty-five (35) years retirement period. work, much to the and now opted to go for early advancement of our Country retiremen t. Marie first served The Manager for Human in the IT unit and moved on to Resources and Organisational the Global Fund project. Development Ousman Gaye Cont’d on page 3 Kadijatou served as the Education and Youth Programme Specialist. As both of them said, they are retired but not tired.

At a farewell reception at ActionAid‟‟s head office in , the Executive Director of ActionAid Omar Badjie described the occasion as one with mixed feelings in that we were about to lose two valuable members of staff. He however expressed happiness that the two are moving on to engage in other productive ventures in their private capacities, all for the Lamin Touray handing over gifts to Kadijatou Jallow development of the country. 3

ActionAid bids farewell pride, prejudice, judgment and wealth‟. She said over the to 2 members of staff years, she has learnt to see the good in everyone and reminded colleagues that the word TEAM has neither a “U” nor an “I”. „There is no room for individualism, we have to work together Cont’d from page 3 to achieve the goals of the CSP IV and those to follow. I want to urge colleagues in the LRPs to invest time and resources on the Strategy Paper. Jainaba Nyang CREST CIRCLES using the PRS which is equivalent to the HRBA. Njie, the Senior Manager for If we want to fight corruption and Gender based violence our Communications commended best target is the children. Catch them young and you have a Marie for the technical support generation of violence free adults‟, she said. she gave to her department whenever she was called upon. Prizes were awarded to both Marie and Kadijatou. During their Mrs. Nyang Njie stated that retirement, Marie said she will be engaged in a private venture Kadijatou highly values whilst Kadijatou will be pursuing a course on Islamic studies. communication because she realises its importance in the advancement of the work of the organization at all levels. She wished her retiring colleagues well and prayed for God‟s blessings in all their future endeavours. One speech that deserves special mention was that of the

International Fundraising Advisor Lamin Touray. Lamin recounted the schooldays at Armitage High School with Kadijatou when they used to compete for the first position in class. He recalled the healthy spirit of competition they had to excel in their academic work against the numerous challenges of boarding school life in a remote countryside. Lamin commended Kadijatou for her Buba Khan handing a gift to Marie Mendy on behalf of AAITG resilience and enviable achievement in those formative years of her enviable career standing.

In reply, Marie Mendy spoke of the support she received from her colleagues which she said made her work easy. She will miss her colleagues with whom she had a good working relationship. Being the true teacher that she once was, Kadijatou gave a lengthy speech dilating on what she termed, „the dangerous package of stereotyping, Members of staff at the reception

4

ActionAid Signs Grant Agreement with the British Embassy

ActionAid International The Gambia on Tuesday 14th June, signed a grant agreement with the British Embassy at the embassy‟s office in Fajara witnessed by senior staff of ActionAid and the British embassy. The purpose of the grant is to strengthen the capacity of the Local Government Authority to promote active community participation in local council development in Area Council. The project will be coordinated by ActionAid for a period of nine months starting in

July 2015. The Executive Director of ActionAid Omar Badji signed on behalf of ActionAid while the Embassy‟s Chief of Staff Gregor

O‟Gorman signed for the Embassy.

Under the project, community based organisations, women & youth Groups, smallholder farmer groups, councillors, council staff, LGAs (Chiefs, Alkalos, Ward

Development Committees, Village Development Committees,) among others will be engaged through interface dialogue programs, joint capacity development, sensitization and advocacy. This is expected to Gregor O’Gorman British Embassy’s Chief of Staff and Omar Badji result in a network which will AAITG Executive Director work with people living in poverty in their fight against poverty in implementing the 2002 Local Governance Act which aims to the Council. It is also envisaged promote peoples‟ popular participation in local governance in a that the participants will be aware more transparent and accountable manner. AAITG has been of their responsibilities to working with the Kuntaur LGA in capacity building and this grant participate effectively in decision will build on the gains registered on these initiatives. making processes and support local council development on At the signing ceremony, ActionAid‟s Executive Director Omar issues affecting their lives and Badji expressed happiness at the grant funding agreement and livelihoods. hoped that the partnership between the two institutions will

enhance capacity building of the Kuntaur Area Council to better A recent study carried out by serve the community within the council. “Capacity building of

UNDP Gambia and the Ministry of communities in governance must precede transfer of Finance and Economic Affairs responsibilities if the desired results of decentralisation were to be revealed that Kuntaur is one of attained”, said Badji. The British Embassy‟s Chief of Staff, Gregor the most challenged area councils O‟Gorman, was also delighted with the partnership and looks and, like other councils, is not forward to a successful project implementation.

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Kerr Cherno is ADWAC’s newest Eco-zone

Kerr Cherno in the Upper the children are available and Niumi district in the North also for all other related Bank region is the name of the matters on Child Sponsorship” latest Eco-zone for the Agency Mam Samba said. for the Development of Women and Children, ADWAC Madi Ceesay, representing the – a key partner organization Executive Director of Action for ActionAid implementing Aid told the gathering that programs in the North Bank Child Sponsorship is about Region. The new eco-zone will living up to expectations. He cover 13 villages, bringing to stated: „In Child Sponsorship, 33, the number of villages we promise to provide certain where ADWAC and ActionAid services to our sponsors in will be operating in the district. Europe and other parts of the Two other eco-zones in the world. These services include 2 names of Jimbana and Albreda reports each year on how their are already in existence. The donations are spent, 2 child establishment of the Kerr messages per year and Cherno Eco-Zone means that updated photos of the children Hon. Mam Cherno Jallow ActionAid‟s Child Sponsorship every two years. To meet such progamme, which was obligations we need the introduced in the district about Hon. Jallow noted that since support of the parents and the ActionAid came to this country ten years ago, is now community at large”, Ceesay expanded to cover 13 other in 1979, they have been doing said. more and more development. villages in the Kerr Cherno eco-zone. „That is enough testimony to District Seyfo Alhage say they are here for the Momodou Charty Cham, The launching of the Eco-Zone development of the people and commended the two (an apex organization they are doing it well too. development organizations comprising several Otherwise they would have saying that out of 55 villages villages/Community Based gone a long time ago‟, he said. in his district 33 are serviced Organisations) was performed Honorable Jallow commended by AAITG/ADWAC. „That is by the National Assembly Action Aid for being great‟, he said. The Seyfo Member for the area, transparent in letting people applauded ActionAid for its Honorable Mam Cherno Jallow know where they get their transparency and at a colourful ceremony at the money from and how that accountability and strongly village Health Center on money is spent. This he said is warned members of his district August 26th. Deputising for the one of the rare things to play their part and fully Governor of the North Bank organizations do. adhere to the contract Region, Hon. Mam Cherno told between the Eco-Zone and the the new eco-zone members The Executive Director of two organizations. He also that they have a big task ADWAC Mam Samba Joof urged all the village heads and ahead and urged them to live commended ActionAid for its ward councilors to disseminate up to expectation. “You have work in the district. He spoke the messages when they to prove to both ADWAC and about the transparent nature return to their respective ActionAid that you will do of the Sponsorship programme communities. The Ward better than the existing ones and enjoined the community Councilor for the Prince Ward which have been working very members to play their role as Amie Jobe gave assurances of well. Through their sponsorship is a two way their commitment to make the interventions, a lot of thing. “You should make sure program a success. successes have been that when the team is here for registered in the respective message collections Lamin Jarju areas. LRP 9 Manager

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“I NEVER KNEW THAT IT IS A RIGHT TO KNOW YOUR RIGHTS” SAYS THE GENDER ACTION GROUP PRESIDENT

The Gender Action Groups These training have boosted the on gender based violence and (GAGs) are the initiatives of morale of the group members child rights issues. Currently the women of Upper Niumi making them well motivated. An the GAG members contribute District called LRP9in ActionAid executive committee to be monthly subscriptions which terms. The initiative was taken responsible for the day to day vary from one community to after a human rights training management of the affairs of another and which form part which was supported by the group was then formed. of their local fund raising Actio nAid, AAITG. The According to Sigga Saidy a strategy. Such funds are used rationale for the formation of member of the Gender Action to support needy children at the GAGs is within the context Group of Demba Holleh, “this school through providing them of women working in solidarity training has enabled us to with uniforms, shoes and to eradicate violence against know what we think was not books. Part of the funds is also women and children. Initially our right, I never knew it used to support couples who the GAGs were established in was a right to know your have economic problems four villages (Demba Holleh, rights. When I reach home I within these households. Pakau Njogou, Juffureh and will engage my family Touba Kolong) until recently particularly my husband to What makes the GAGs even when Pakau Saloum women understand that it is my more respectable and expressed interest in right to know my rights” successful is its consideration establishing one in their Sigga assertively explained. and inclusion of men into the community due to the impact group. They consider that their of the GAGs in the pilot The majority of the GAG success to addressing gender communities. The ultimate members are young women. based violence cannot be objective of the GAGs is to This is because they frequently achieved without men engage and dialogue with men face conflicts within their inclusion and participation into to reduce gender based marriage. As organized as any their activities. According to violence in their communities Community Based Organization, where they operate. the GAG frequently meet in their villages to sensitize members Cont”’d on page 7 GAGs comprise women leaders, young women, village heads, religious leaders and male youths. The GAGs consider the inclusion of local and religious leaders as critical due to their pivotal role in any social setting.

In the process of supporting the GAGs in their endeavors, they received training on the rationale for their formation.

The women were also trained on human rights, the Women‟s

Act of the Gambia and other international instruments to enhance their understanding of the context in which they will be engaged. Sigga Saidy President of the Gender Action Group in Kerr Demba Holleh

7

“I NEVER KNEW THAT IT families. This is now regarded them and their children and IS A RIGHT TO KNOW as a fundamental function of decide on matters affecting YOUR RIGHTS” SAYS THE them. They believed this will GENDER ACTION GROUP the GAGs. A rapid capacity pave the way for their entrance PRESIDENT assessment was conducted into heaven. and it was realized that the Cont’d from page 7 GAGs needed training on The introduction of the Gender conflict management. This Action Group in the LRP has was supported as well as had significant changes in the training on the Human Rights life of the people particularly Based Approach to women. There has been programming. significant reduction in conflicts between couples and increased Before the establishment and peaceful co-existence among

training of the Gender Action the group members. In fact Groups, these communities other villages are using the

had less regard for women‟s GAG as an institution worthy of rights issues. Men used to emulation. Thanks to the maintain the traditional ways support the group is receiving of associating with women, from ADWAC and ActionAid. A male member of the GAG

i.e. taking decisions on behalf The Gender ActionAid Groups Ebrima Keita a secretary to of their wives, mothers, are able to enroll and retain a one of the GAGs, “since we sisters and daughters. lot of children in school and (men) became members of Domestic violence such as mend several broken the GAG we have seen wife battering was considered marriages. significant changes in our as part of the right of the man communities, wife and women believed the Lamin Jarju battering has reduced practice is a religious LRP 9 Manager greatly because we talk to obligation for men to batter each other about how women should be respected in our communities. I once beat my wife but I express regret whenever such things are mentioned in our meetings”.

Besides gaining significant improvement in raising awareness in their communities, the GAG has supported school children, the majority of whom are girls, with school uniforms, books, pencils, shoes, bags just to name a few. Successfully the GAGs were able to mediate and solve several different gender based conflicts among couples. The Imam (Islamic leader in a locality) and the

Alkalo (Village head) used to be very busy in solving Members of the Gender Action Group conflicts between couples and 8

papachi2 ActionAid - EU partnership: A beneficiary’s perspective

The women of , West and Dankunku Districts are no exception to the problems of access and ownership of land, farm implements, credit, technology and involvement in decision making. The majority of them mainly grow food crops (rice and millet) for home consumption which limit their ability to engage in cash crop production usually dominated by men. Due to their low literacy levels, the women in Central River Region (CRR) supply most of the unskilled labour during food production, thus deepening the Women in CRR dancing to express their appreciation for the project stereotypical attitude of women being responsible for unpaid care work in The project was launched by the The role of the partners was communities. Like many other Governor in April 2014 in made clear with the signing districts in The Gambia gender Jarreng village in CRR at a of a Memorandum of disparities continue to exist in colourful ceremony well Understanding. These all spheres of life in CRR. attended by members of the partners are the National communities, staff of ActionAid, Association of Women In an attempt to address the the EU delegation in The Farmers (NaWFA) and the issues above, ActionAid signed Gambia, local dignitaries and Female Lawyers Association an agreement with the partners of ActionAid. Project of The Gambia (FLAG). European Commission in the implementation has since Gambia for the started in earnest. The project is already implementation of a project to showing results on the lives the tune of €492,599.78 of women in CRR. (almost twenty six million Gradually, women are dalasi). The project is called becoming aware of their Promoting women's socio- rights to land ownership and economic rights in Niamina control and other legal East, and frameworks, thanks to

Niamina Dankunku Districts trainings conducted by and will run for three years FLAG. During one of the

(2014-2016). Itsoverall trainings of forty five objective is to contribute to women in Dankunku village gender equity in the Gambia, the women were taught by promoting women‟s access entrepreneurship skills, to socio-economic rights and basic marketing concepts, economic empowerment in the bookkeeping and CRR. accounting, business Jewo Jallow speaking on behalf of the women expenses, among others.

Cont’d on page 10 9

ActionAid - EU and generated a profit of Group Juboo partnership: D23,000. We used this money to one and a half years on open a bank account for the receives boost first time. We used to make soap from sponsors Cont’d from page 8 using a chemical which we cooked

in a large pot. When we washed Bryan and Jacky Drewitt „I have learnt a lot during the our clothes with it, our hands past three days. I am confident become sore and very painful and are sponsors of ActionAid that when I go back home, I will our clothes would easily tear from the United Kingdom. improve on the way I run my apart. Now we know how to make Early this year in business‟, says Binta who sells better soap and we can even add February, the couple food items at the Dankunku the Dettol disinfectant which has came to The Gambia and market after attending the brought us great benefits. This seized the opportunity to Business Management Training training, together with the visit ActionAid‟s projects in Dankunku. business skills training we had in our areas of work. The

before, equipped us with the couple expressed „I have learnt that one has to be knowledge to both produce and happiness at what they approachable to attract market our products effectively. I said was value for the customers and employ effective want to thank ActionAid and the money they spend in The marketing skills to get the EC for supporting women in this Gambia. „Now we can see customer to buy something‟ region and pray for their success.‟ says Hawa Mbye from Choya, that people really whilst Fatou Fatty from benefitted from these Dankunku emphasized that projects and for many of good accounting practices make them, it has been a life good business, for example, changing venture. We separating the business from have seen it with our own the extended family. eyes. These beneficiaries One of the women who was part told us that ActionAid has of a skills training programme made a difference in their had this to say: lives thanks to our

monies. We know ours is a small amount but we know that too lots of small amounts can make a big difference‟, they

Soaps made by the women group said. As an expression of their happiness, the

The aims and objectives of the couple donated 200 British pounds to Group project are for women to be aware of their socio-economic Juboo in Fass, Upper rights and have knowledge on Saloum and 160 pounds how to make their voices heard in to one Momodou Kebbeh, Mam Haddy Ceesay economic decision-making. It is a youth farmer engaged also expected that their groups in the nursery of morringa „I am Mam Haddy Ceesay. I and networks will be able to seedlings, commonly come from Pateh Sam in the access information, services and known as nebedie. The Central River Region of The resources for economic cheque presentation was Gambia. I am married with five empowerment, micro-credits and made by the Manager for children - 3 boys and 2 girls. My ownership and control over group and I received training on LRP 8 and 11, Bakary agricultural land and other natural Fadera. tie and dye and soap making resources by the end of the from ActionAid. As a result we project. Links with CSOs, private A cheque for D13, 750.00 have learnt a lot of things which sector and relevant government have started to benefit us. We departments will also be are now able to produce batik strengthened. Cont’d on page 11 and make soap which we sold 10

NEXT STEP Child sponsors Bryan and In the village of Nyangabantang, Programme Jacky extend largesse to Group Juboo Manager Fadera with Modou Kebbeh, a youth and Moringa farmer Modou Kebbeh Farmer engaged in the nursery of morringa seedlings, commonly known as “nebedie”. Cont’d from page 10 Kebbeh has raised over 100 morringa seedlings which he plans to transplant at his 1.5 hectare farm yet to be fenced. Bryan& Jackie had also met with Modou Kebbeh, during their February visit when they pledged an amount of 160 pounds to assist him in the fencing of his proposed morringa farm. Kebbeh will receive this amount after the necessary paperwork has been carried out. According to the Food and Agriculture Organisation, Moringa is a genus of

shrubs and trees with multi-purpose uses: its leaves, roots and immature pods are consumed as a vegetable. All parts of the moringa tree – bark, pods, leaves, nuts, seeds, tubers, roots, and flowers – are edible. The leaves are used fresh or dried and ground into powder. The seed pods are picked while still green and eaten fresh or cooked. Moringa seed oil is sweet, non- sticking, non-drying and resists rancidity, while the cake from seed is used to purify drinking water. The seeds can also be eaten green, roasted, powdered and steeped for tea or used in curries.

Bakary Fadera presenting a cheque to Omar Satou Sallah

was also handed over to the President of Group Juboo, Omar Satou Sallah at the group‟s headquarters in Fass, and is meant for the purchase of small holder farm implements for the members of the group. The group‟s secretary Ali Faal was present. Fadera, on behalf of AAITG Management and the Sponsors, congratulated Group Juboo for the good impression the Sponsors had about them and hence deserving the support. He urged them to continue the good work. The President of Group Jubo, Omar Satou Sallah, thanked AAITG and the Sponsors for the donation. He also used the occasion to remind the Programme Manager and AAITG that the partnership agreement between Group Juboo and AAITG has expired Moringa plants in Modou Kebbeh’s garden and needs to be renewed.

11

Healthy soils build resilience to climate change.

fertiliser on our field, and this has saved us so much money.

A bag of fertiliser can cost almost as much as a bag of rice. But it is clear to see that the condition of the soil now that we use compost is so much better. The soil here is quite sandy, so it did not protect the plants during

floods, and it could not hold on to the water when it was dry.

But now the compost makes the soil soft and dark, and it holds the water much better. This year the rains arrived nearly two months late. It now looks like they will come to an Penda Mballow a CRSA farmer in Ngawarr end at their usual time. But our early-maturing varieties of My name is Penda Mballow. I have been so worried. We had groundnuts and maize are am a farmer in Ngawarr very few seeds left to plant. nearly ready to harvest. And village, Niamina East district in Some farmers had sold their because the soil is now full of the Central River Region of The farm implements, or given organic matter from the Gambia. theirs as collateral for loans. compost, we are confident that Some families in the village they can hold enough water to My husband and I have been have been unable to sleep help the crops reach maturity. growing crops – particularly through worry. groundnuts, rice, maize, millet, Look at our crops – you can beans and vegetables for many Then ActionAid brought this see how healthy they are, and years. But farming has become how nice the soil is. We can project to our village. And this more and more regular time has helped us in so many see an immediate difference to every year. our crops now that we have ways. First of all, they gave seed and tools to some of our stopped using synthetic fertilizers and started using But now the rains come at families just when we needed strange times, and for them most. They brought compost, manure and more unpredictable duration. different varieties of seed and crop diversity. We plan to save Sometimes they come early, or crops, including some early the seeds from these varieties they start but then don‟t maturing varieties, because and re-plant them next year. continue. A few years ago we realise that growing many there was a big drought that kinds is the best way to ensure My husband called this affected the whole country. But that you can harvest experience an “eye-opener”. then the following year we had something, even if the He did the training of trainers a lot of rain, and so much flash weather is strange. on making compost, and has flooding in our village that the now trained many other seeds we had planted, and They also gave us training on farmers in our area, because even our seed bank, were how to make compost to we believe it can help so washed away. It has been very improve the health of the soil. much. difficult these last years. We We stopped using synthetic

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Climate Resilient Sustainable Agriculture (CRSA)

Climate Resilient Sustainable Agriculture (CRSA) has become popular in ActionAid International The Gambia (AAITG) and the global ActionAid federation. Barely 3 years when sustainable agriculture (SA) with its accompanying functions was coined and included in planning documents, AAITG has facilitated widespread understanding and use of the concepts among smallholder farmers including women. In 2014, training sessions on Climate Resilient Sustainable Agriculture attracted over 100 participants in 4 different locations across the country. Gawlo Sabally, one of the CRSA farmers in CRR Sensitisation through GRTS and working on his farm the community radios were estimated to have reached over the health of soils, that as we already know are 7,000 active farmers. ecosystems and people. It irreversible. relies on ecological

processes, biodiversity and In view of this, ActionAid This development is in response cycles adapted to local International the Gambia to the efforts of ActionAid that conditions, rather than the does not only train and is seeking to promote use of inputs that can have sensitise smallholders on sustainable agriculture and adverse effects on the soil CRSA but also supports the sustainable natural resources and the ecosystem as a use of the approach by management. There is glaring whole. Sustainable smallholder farmers. Early commitment to cut down the agriculture combines maturing crop varieties of effects of Climate Change on tradition, innovation and maize, groundnuts and rice the lives and livelihoods science to benefit the shared were provided and planted as systems of small scale farmers. environment and promote sole crops or intercropped As a poverty-fighting fair relationships and a good with cowpea, pumpkin and organisation, ActionAid focuses quality of life for all involved. water melon. Farming more on women and youth who Taking cognisance of this, systems such as relay and are considered vulnerable not ActionAid believes that sequential cropping and only to environmental shocks sustainable agriculture is an agro-forestry were all put to but also to socio-cultural issues approach derived from the practice as part of the seven owing to entrenched patriarchy recognition of people‟s right pillars of Climate Resilience in our society. But, the to food. Sustainable Agriculture. The reasons for a quick grasp of the organisation will forge ahead concept could in my view be CRSA being one of the to ensure that smallholder explained by what we think functions of SA is about farmers reap benefits from sustainable agriculture and building the capacities of their agricultural ventures CRSA are. By definition, smallholder farmers to without harming the sustainable agriculture is a contain risks from climate environment. whole-systems approach to change, now and in the food, feed, and fibre production By Momodou Wuri Jallow future. It is about adaptation that sustains Programme Specialist, Food to adverse climatic conditions Rights

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YAMA SECKA AND THE ActionAid International The SEEDS STORE Gambia Signs New Agreement With the Global Fund Yama Secka is a smallholder farmer in Pateh Sam village in the Central ActionAid International The Gambia has renewed its River Region. She is married with 6 contract as Principal Recipient (PR) with the Global children (2 males and 4 females). Fund for HIV and AIDS, TB and Malaria under the New Yama cultivates millet, rice and Funding Mechanism (NFM). The signing was done by sesame. As the president of the the Executive Director of ActionAid International The Women‟s Association in Pateh Sam, Gambia Omar Badji, the Head of the Grant Yama talks about the seed store Management Division of the Global Fund Mr. Mark constructed in her village by Kudang Eldon-Edington, Lamin Camara of the Country Co- Ward Development Association with coordinating Mechanism (CCM) and Ousman Y. Sowe, support from ActionAid. civil society representative of the CCM on the 26th

“Prior to ActionAid‟s intervention the June 2015. The renewal comes after ActionAid‟s successful performance of the Global Fund Round 8 only seed store available could not accommodate all the seed and food grant with an A+ rating. produce in the community. Some of our harvests were stored in The overall aim of the grant agreement is to achieve unprotected places making them Zero New HIV Infection, Zero AIDS related Deaths prone to pest infestation, thieves, and Zero Stigma and Discrimination in the Gambia. It mice and domestic fires. Now we is also meant to strengthen the acceleration of access have a very good seeds store where to prevention, treatment care and support. The we can save our food stuff. project will last for 30 months, effective July 2015, with a total funding envelope of three million, six The seed and cereal bank has a lot of hundred and eighty eight thousand, five hundred and benefits in the community. We keep twenty seven United States dollars (USD different varieties of seeds in the 3,688,527.00). store and they are well protected. The grant forms part of the resources mobilized to This helps the association to be support the implementation of the National HIV and progressive. At the end of every AIDS strategic plan 2015-2019. The funding is an rainy season the women contribute investment by the Global Fund with priorities focused some groundnuts, rice or millet to yield maximum strategic impact toward the which are stored in the seed and attainment of Zero New HIV infection, Zero AIDS cereal bank. In the following season related Deaths and Zero Stigma and Discrimination in those cereals are distributed to the the Gambia. needy people in our community. Under the agreement, ActionAid will be working with The seeds store has made a great four Sub-Recipients (SRs) and other four Sub-Sub impact on the lives of the people. It Recipients (SSRs). The SRs are the Catholic Relief is managed by women who Services (CRS), Hands On Care (HOC), Gambia Family coordinate the distribution and Planning Association (GFPA) and World View (WV). collection of seeds each year. It has GAMNASS, ADWAC, Future In Our Hands (FIOH), therefore improved our management Nova Scotia Gambia Association (NSGA) are the SSRs. skills. In previous years women were never involved in the management of HIV and AIDS is still a public health problem in the community projects. So far we have Gambia with HIV prevalence among the 15 to 49 year had no serious challenges with age cohort at 1.9% (DHS 2013). Characteristically, regard to the store. We thank the country has a generalized epidemic with pockets ActionAid for the changes they have of high prevalence among Key Affected Populations. brought in our lives” Yama concludes.

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ActionAid International The Gambia and Senegal agree to strengthen collaboration on Climate Resilient Sustainable Agriculture

Group photo of the AERP regional meeting

Staff from ActionAid two ActionAid offices agreed to The second phase of the AER International The Gambia and closely work together with project has already started and ActionAid Senegal have agreed communities in developing will last for three years. During to strengthen relationships in Disaster Risk Reduction plans, this period, it is expected that order to achieve stronger strongly collaboration across six communities (three each in results in the second phase of teams in both countries and The Gambia and Senegal), with the Agro Ecology and between country programmes a focus on women, will be Resilience Project. The project and the International better able to withstand the is being implemented in both Secretariat with a view to shocks and impacts of natural countries and is primed on strengthening the quality of disasters, be able to reduce three key areas: Disaster Risk project delivery to ensure risks and participate in and Reduction (DRR), Climate better results. In addition deliver emergency Resilient Sustainable better and more efficient preparedness programs. The Agriculture (CRSA) and systems will be put in place for promotion of long-term

Documentation and Shared effective financial resilience both within Learning. Under the project, management and participating communities and

ActionAid is working to help communications to enhance throughout the region through smallholder farmers, shared learning. Key among documentation, shared learning particularly women, to become the various issues discussed and active engagement of more resilient to the was agreement on key partners, organizations, duty challenges of climate change objectives, activities and bearers, civil society, donor, by adapting their agriculture, methodologies for the second and other actors is another using strategies to reduce the Phase. expectation from the project. risk of disaster and rolling out early warning systems. A total of 33 individuals from At the opening ceremony, the Senegal, The Gambia, the Executive Directors of ActionAid At an inception meeting of the United States of America, the Senegal Dellaphine Rauch second phase of the project International Secretariat of Houekpon and The Gambia held in Mbour, Senegal from ActionAid International and the th th the 10 to 14 August, the donor were in attendance. Cont’d on page 16

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AAITG and AA Senegal communities for their survive”, said Awa Jallow on agree to strengthen CRSA sacrifices and collaboration behalf of the Senegalese with partners. communities of Kedougou, Cont’d from page 15 It could be recalled that the Niodior and Tamba. Farmers first phase of the AER project identified availability of quality Omar Badji, expressed was earlier reviewed in seeds, food, improved planting happiness at the successes Kaolack, Senegal where materials, enhancement of achieved in the first phase and farmers The Gambia and household income, called for a redoubling of Senegal revealed that improvements in child welfare efforts to achieve greater significant successes were and education as some of the success in phase 2. They both achieved. Women smallholder successes of the project. They emphasised the need to put in farmers noted that the however noted that sharing of place strategies and methods Vulnerability Analysis (PVA) local knowledge, limited to strengthen the partnership exercise afforded them a resources and inadequate between the two offices and to chance to be empowered awareness of climate change take into account lessons through participation and issues are some of the learnt from other countries making decisions at challenges they faced under including ActionAid‟s community level on the project. These will be International Secretariat. development issues. “We now addressed in the second have a better understanding of phase. The Executive Director of our context and are better ActionAid USA Charmaine prepared to respond to The inception meeting in Shah called on world leaders hazards should they occur”, Mbour ended with bilateral to find new pathways to said Kaddy Jammeh from side meetings and a cultural deepen work on climate Toubakolong village in The display by a local resilience sustainable Gambia. “This project has entertainment group organized agriculture. They thanked the made us become resilient. For by ActionAid Senegal. donor for the support and the us, with or without rain we can

ActionAid International The Gambia, PMB 450 Serrekunda Tel: 4392004 / 4392244 Fax: (220) 4392425 Email: [email protected] 16/ [email protected] www.actionaid.org/gambia / www.facebook.com/actionaidthegambia