Posted by Solomon Yarjoh

Fambul Tok condemns violence,calls for peaceful dialogue

 

FAMBUL TOK CONDEMNS THE SPATE OF VIOLENCE ACROSS SOME PARTS OF THE COUNTRY, CALLS FOR PEACEFUL DIALOGUE

Fambul Tok International- Sierra Leone is alarmed by recent incidents of violence in and around the city of Freetown and in some parts of the country; especially Makeni city and Kamakwie in the North and North Western Provinces. This latest escalation in the spate of violence on the 10th of August 2022, resulted in the deaths and injuries of members of the Sierra Leone Police, Civilians and the destruction of public and private property. We see these events as early warning signs that require robust engagements in order to quell tensions in the lead up to the conduct of peaceful general elections in 2023

Fambul Tok condemns all forms of violence in its entirety, and therefore urge all sides to embrace dialogue as an approach to resolving differences, while encouraging efforts at ensuring national cohesion.

To end impunity, alongside the need for dialogue, Fambul Tok recommends the conduct of an independent cross political party investigation into events that serve as a grim reminder of the rebel war. The report of such inquiry should include clear recommendation to the Government, Political parties, and people of Sierra Leone that will guarantee a peaceful 2023 national election; and to the International Community who would be arbiters in supporting these efforts

As an organization whose core values is in promoting Peacebuilding and respects the promotion and the protection of human and people’s rights, we urge all parties involved to observe law and order and to seek spaces for the resolution of differences  at the table through dialogue. We urge the Government and all individuals and groups to work together in enhancing peaceful coexistence, as Sierra Leone must remain firmly on the path of peace, and respect for human rights and freedoms.

The Executive Director, Board of Directors and Staff of Fambul Tok International wish to extend heartfelt condolences to all the families, who have lost their loved ones.

For more information, please contact Fambul Tok communication team on +232-78841151.

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Posted by Solomon Yarjoh

Residents mobilize resources to construct health post

The people resident in Benduma Village, Bagruwa Chiefdom in Moyamba District have started mobilizing resources to commence the construction of a Village Health Post that will serve the people and improve the health status of their community, and its immediate surroundings, especially in Maternal and Child Health Care services.

Benduma villagers pose after the meeting

The initiative came as a result of Fambul Tok International- Sierra Leone’s direct community-led planning and development initiative through the People’s Planning Process. The initiative allows communities define their needs, resources and moving forward with beginning to implement Benduma village plan through a Village Development Committee (VDC) without waiting for outside aid.

According to Solomon Yarjoh, Project Officer at Fambul Tok, the VDC members have received several trainings in basic project management, mediation and reconciliation techniques as well as communication skills that are designed to equip the members.

Musa Kamara interviews VDC Secretary,Henry .Johnson Senesie

 

He said the trainings are geared towards strengthening their capacity in development and peace building activities that are linked with the People’s Planning Process, which according to him, ‘is an inside-out approach to healing, recovery, and ongoing development in Sierra Leone that puts the people at the centre’..

Henry Johnson Senesie, the VDC Secretary of Benduma Village said that through the VDC structure they would task each household to contribute money (Two Leones) which has amounted to 554 NLe. Apart from physical cash other items such as fruits and vegetables are allowed to complement the Village Basket.

He said the nearest health facility within their community was over 15 miles away which was why they remain determined to make every little effort in mobilizing resources to commence the construction of a health facility that would serve Benduma and its surrounding Villages.

“We are confident that with the little effort we are making to develop this health post will surely improve the health and well-being of our community. Fambul Tok has helped us to develop this believe and we are grateful for all the support they continue to give the people of Benduma”, says  Senesie.

Fambul Tok is working with the Government of Sierra Leone and Catalyst for Peace to expand the People’s Planning Process nationwide as the “Wan Fambul Framework”. The initiative is currently piloted in Koinadugu, Kono and Moyamba Districts, which will be coordinated at Chiefdom Level supporting every Section and Village in the district.

Posted by Solomon Yarjoh

Refresher training sessions for GRC members in Kono District

Fambul Tok staff in Kono district has started refresher training sessions for Grievance Redress Committees members starting with 4 sections-(Bayafeh, Bafinfeh, Bayakor and Moindekor) Gbense chiefdom. Old GRC members    were trained alongside new members that replaced those that have migrated to other places. A total of 80 participants were drawn from the four sections and sessions were held in different sectional headquarter towns

 

 

It started in Bayakor section, with debriefing by old GRC members. According to Sia  Sam, Secretary for the GRCs, said  they have mediated several cases including  land dispute between Koakor and Faada villages which was settled amicably.

 

GRCs in Bafinfeh

Lilian Morsay, Fambul Tok staff gave detailed background of Fambul Tok   values, dos and don’ts. The session also dealt with conflicts, steps in mediation, cases GRCs should mediate and communication. She said before the end of the month, GRCs would have been retrained in all sections in the chiefdom

Chairlady of the section, Amie Fonjah commended Fambul Tok for the timely refresher training as this has equipped them to help other communities and work harder for the development of their section and the chiefdom.

After the four sessions, banners were supplied to new members as a sign of recognition in their communities. The Human security project in Gbense,Kamara and Soa chiefdoms  is supported by United Nations Development Programme. The sessions will continue in Kamara and Soa chiefdoms

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posted by Solomon Yarjoh

Minister recommends Fambul Tok to implement PPP in Lower Banta chiefdom

The Minister of Local Government and Rural Development,Tamba Lamina  as a way of recommendation,pointed out clearly that the only organization that will continue to promote peace and cohesion in Lower Banta chiefdom will be Fambul Tok International Sierra Leone

PC Russell receives report from Minister Lamina

He was addressing a large audience including hundreds of community members of Lower Banta chiefdom who arrived in Moyamba town for the return of their Paramount chief.

According to Minister,PC Gibao Russell has being out of the chiefdom for nearly four years,as he was accused of mismanagement and  other offences brought against him by some members in the chiefdom.Based on allegations,a committee was set up by government to investigate stewardship of the chief.After nearly four years in exile,the minister revealed that the meeting in Moyamba was to hand over reports including recommendations  to the chief on his return to take up duties once more

Minister Lamina in a very strong voice admonished PC Russell to work with his subjects to develop Lower Banta.He lauded efforts of Fambul Tok adding that as the organization has worked in the chiefdom for few years,government has recommended the organization to implement the People’s Planning Process(PPP) in the chiefdom.The PPP encourages communities to be involved in every sphere of development from  project initiation,planning,implementation to closure.It calls on organizations working in communities to include communities in whatever they are implementing

“Am calling on you Chief Russell to work with Fambul Tok and community members  to ensure there is peace and cohesion in every part of your chiefdom” Minister pointed out.

In one of the recommendations,Minister urged chief Russell to return to Moyamba District Council activities of the jetty in Gbangbatoke,headquarter town of Lower Banta chiefdom

Efforts are now in place to officially PC Russell to his chiefdom in the next few weeks

Posted by Solomon Yarjoh

Training of Village Development Committees begins

Training sessions for Village Development Committee members in Moyamba and Koinadugu districts have begun.The sessions kicked off Friday July 1,2022 in Benduma,Bagruwa chiefdom,Moyamba district and Gbenikoro,Heremakono 11,Sengbe chiefdom in Koinadugu.This sessions are designed to equip VDC members and strengthening their capacity in development and peace building activities link with the Peoples Planning Process

 

VDC Chairman,Joe Senesie  highlighted successes in a very short period emphasising on the cooperation of the entire village.He said in less than two weeks, a village basket has been provided where a total of one hundred and seventy six thousands has been collected through contribution from villagers adding that the new trend of inclusivity has yielded fruits which will develop the village

Secretary of VDC,Johnson Senesie said monthly community meeting will be held on Wednesday,July 6 and details on contribution will be announced adding that villagers will agree on what  they want to do based on what they proposed in the PPP chiefdom plan.

Joseph Benji spoke on the importance of the training adding that topics like communication skills,reconciliation,mediation,basic project management would be dealt with.

In Gbenikoro,Emmanuel Mansaray also spoke during the training that members have to be equipped to enable them to do what they are supposed to do as proposed in the upcoming chiefdom plan.

Other training sessions are scheduled to continue next week in other villages in both districts

The idea of forming VDCs in every village is to ensure inclusiveness  as everyone will work towards development aspirations in the Peoples Planning Process.

 

 

Posted by Solomon Yarjoh

School Peace Clubs commemorate June 16

 

School peace clubs in Kailahun,Pujehun,Moyamba and Koinadugu districts have joined in the commemoration of June16

The schools, based on their different activity plans organized various programs ranging from watching film of Sierra Leone’s  civil conflict to drama and outreach events

school club members of Benevolent at Moyamba junction

 

 

Fambul Tok supported schools with T shirts and other items. The clubs were set up in 2013 and the essence was to capture young pupils to promote peace and national cohesion

The Day of the African Child has been commemorated on June 16 every year since 1991, when it was first initiated by the OAU Organisation of African Unity. It honors those who participated in the Soweto Uprising in 1976 on that day. It also raises awareness of the continuing need for improvement of the education provided to African children.

In Soweto, South Africa, on June 16, 1976, about ten thousand black school children marched in a column more than half a mile long, protesting the poor quality of their education and demanding their right to be taught in their own language. Hundreds of young students were shot, the most famous of which being Hector Pieterson .More than a hundred people were killed in the protests of the following two weeks, and more than a thousand injured

The African Transitional Justice Legacy Fund is also supporting school clubs in their various activities in Kongbora and Fakunya chiefdoms,Moyamba district

Posted by Solomon Yarjoh

Establishment of Village Development Committees kick off

Piloting the establishment of the Village Development Committees in Moyamba and Koinadugu districts,a total of four villages(Benduma and Komende)  Bagruwa chiefdom,in Moyamba district,

Gbenikoro,  Sengbe chiefdom and Yagala  Wara Wara Yagala chiefdom in Koinadugu district have been completed.

The importance of forming VDCs, is a new initiative by  Fambul Tok  to cascade the Peoples Planning Process  to village level with the aim of ensuring local ownership.Selected committee members will work with villagers to promote the welfare and well being of individuals and the whole community.They will also monitor implementation of village development priorities and needs taking into consideration the right of vulnerable groups

Training of CWMC/Peace Mothers in Koinadugu

 

 

Before the formation of the VDCs in all four villages,training of Community Welfare and Mediation Committee members and Peace Mothers representation from each village were completed.They were accompanied in their various villages to explain to other villagers the importance of forming village development committees.Discussions with various groups,youth,traditional leaders and women were held to get their knowledge and input on readiness for the new initiative

General village meetings were conducted by CWMCs and Peace Mothers to inform people of VDC formation drive and what each village stands to gain.Fambul Tok staff served as observers allowing trained animators to take the lead.Villagers unanimously agreed to accept the initiative.The animators also worked with villagers to develop terms of reference and qualities specified for anyone that wanted to contest.Selection processes went on smoothly as participants wrote names of nine people on piece of paper and deposited them through secret ballots.Selection of VDC Members was done openly and transparently and highest scorers announced as conveners of the very first meetings in each of the villages

 

Benduma VDCVDC members in the two villages in Sengbe and Wara Wara Yagala chiefdoms have met and a three- man executive such as chairman.secretary and treasurer formed.Benduma village has also had their first meeting and an executive formed.Komende village VDC will meet this week and executive positions would be formed

Posted by Solomon Yarjoh

First Sectional Peace Mothers group formed

Women from various villages in Sembehun section, Bagruwa chiefdom Moyamba district converged at Sembehun town to form the first group of peace mothers under the Peoples Planning Process(PPP).

Sembehun Peace Mothers

The occasion was climaxed by singing and dancing as women from over 15 villages had the opportunity to come together after a very long time

 

Sadiatu Pessima took them through on the importance of peace mothers group in the section. She said when women come together a lot of good things are achieved. She added that very soon the remaining six sections will have their sectional peace mothers’ groups formed

She cited examples on various women’s groups that have succeeded in working together. She stated that she too is a beneficiary of peace mother in her section adding that through her contributions she had the opportunity to be employed by Fambul Tok

Fatim Sesay talked on the achievements of peace mothers in Kailahun district mentioning women’s role towards peace in the district

Section chief of Sembehun Lucinda Sankoh was happy to say that through FT activities the chiefdom had the chance to embark on peace that brought back their suspended Paramount Chief to the chiefdom

The women were also informed about FT values,dos and donts

Town chief of Sembehun,Braima Momodu hailed FT and said it played great role for the return of Paramount chief and other stakeholders to Sembehun

The newly elected chairlady of the group,Zyporah Jusu assured that before their first executive meeting in June,the new executive will visit all villages to inform them about the formation of village level executives

chairlady of Peace Mothers

 

Posted by Solomon Yarjoh

Council will support Fambul Tok 100%-Chairman

The newly elected chairman of Koinadugu District Council,Lawrence T.Kargbo has said based on the successes  of the People’s Planning Process(PPP) in the district,Council will throw  its full support behind Fambul Tok so every village in in the district will be involved in development aspirations

Chairman Kargbo was addressing his audience during a one day validation of the Sengbe chiefdom plan which took place at the Yogomaia court barray in Kabala township.He said though he is new in Council he had heard a lot of good news from communities that have undergone PPP and being at the helm of affairs he is ready to support the initiative so communities will be fully involved in development processes. He personally on behalf of Council requested from Fambul Tok to roll out PPP through all ten chiefdoms in the district

On behalf of Hon.Paramount chief of Sengbe chiefdom,Alhaji Marah said this is the first process that has brought on board all villages.He went on to state that PC would have loved to be present but could not due to his busy schedule

Section chief of Madingo section,Mohamed Sidibay explained how PPP has assisted his community to develop.He highlighted its importance adding that most villages that were not working together are now embarking on activities that would yield sustainable development

Another chief,Mohamed Sesay cited instances on the broken cup adding all hands should be put on deck to avoid  so resources do not slip through.He added that the PPP has good potentials and if communities are fully brought on board they will realize development without depending on external support

Executive Director of Fambul Tok John Caulker said the PPP kicked off in 2015 and its aim is to bring everyone on board to make sure communities own their development aspirations.He said the Chiefdom Development Coordination Committee fits into district development processes as the committee works with communities and reports directly to the District Development Coordination Committee based in Councils

He said women are strong pillars of development adding that the peace mothers programs support women to identify their needs and work together

Participants were divided into different sections to go through both sectional and village needs earlier highlighted in the plan.The exercise was to  make corrections and confirm what appears in the plan before it is validated

Posted by Solomon Yarjoh

Kongbora Peace Mothers to embark on large scale cassava production

Through their usual monthly contributions and micro credit scheme, Peace Mothers in Tongea section, Kongbora chiefdom in Moyamba district have unanimously agreed to raise huge amount of money to embark on large scale cassava production. This decision was reached during a recent meeting in Tongea 2 village

According to the Treasurer of the Peace Mothers’ group, Madam Adama Banya , the proposed goal is to start a very  big  project aimed at producing large quantity of gari, fufu and other food stuffs to be sold to the public

 

 

“Presently we have collected sum amount   by selling over 24 bags of Fufu, and we are now targeting large scale production,” says Madam Banya. She went on to state that the women in all the villages in the section meet  every month, adding that during the monthly meetings each member contributes Le5,000 and after collection the money is given out as loan to be repaid against the next meeting.

Posing with their brand new machine

In 2021, the women embarked on acreages of Cassava farm and vegetable gardening. Some of the harvest was sold and reinvested in gari production. This year, according to the women, a large area of the inland valley swamp will be cultivated in addition to the vegetable and gari production.

The Secretary of the group, Joseph Alpha extended appreciation to Fambul Tok for a donation of a brand new cassava processing machine to the women last year

He assured that efforts are being made to ensure women are empowered to become self- reliant in that part of the country