Future-oriented training for displaced people in Burkina Faso

As we have learned over the past few years, one of the strengths of APDC staff is their ability to adapt to a new situation and to provide meaningful support to those in need. (APDC is World Neighbours Canada’s partner organization in Burkina Faso). With most people in its rural program area having been displaced to the town of Fada by terrorist activities, APDC has had to find ways for newly displaced people to earn income while in an urban setting. Staff have been honest in their reporting; sharing both successes and challenges. Women who were trained in soap-making discovered that the soap produced was not as much in demand as they had hoped, because larger bars of soap are imported from the Ivory Coast and available at a better price. On the other hand, some of the women who developed a peanut marketing enterprise learned that the peanut products they manufactured were in high demand.

Rébéka Tankoano, the APDC Fada coordinator, recently visited a few of the women beneficiaries and spoke with them about their enterprise and the impact it’s had on their lives. Several of the women’s comments are included here:

Namounou Yonli: preparation of local dishes

“My business is doing well, and it’s helped me a lot to manage certain family expenses, such as the purchase of condiments, water and some of my children’s medical care. I’m going to start drying the leaves to store them for the next dry season, which will enable me to make more profit as leaves are currently very cheap. I would like to thank APDC for training and equipping me.”

Alima Onadja : preparation and marketing of groundnuts (peanuts)

“I transform peanuts into different products such as peanut paste, biscuits and peanut oil. Everything sells well and I can’t even satisfy my customers, my products aren’t enough for all the customers because I sell for several wholesalers, I give discounts and small gifts to customers and a lot of people are interested in my products. The work is a bit tiring and I can’t make enough, so I’m planning to look for an employee to help me and I’m going to pay her for her work; and as there are a lot of unemployed women and young girls, I think the person who helps me in my work will also be happy. Thanks to the profits I’ve made, I’ve been able to open a small workshop selling other products such as cosmetics (ointments, soaps, threads, etc.) and various products for children (toys, sweets, biscuits, etc.). I don’t know how to describe to you the very positive impact that APDC’s help has had on my life and that of my family. I would like to say a huge thank you to APDC for its support, it has saved us a lot from poverty.”

Agnès Yonli : preparation and marketing of soap

“Kabakourou soap (soap in a ball) used to sell well in the beginning, but the importation of Ivory Coast soap by local traders has spoilt the market. This soap is bigger than ours, so many people are no longer interested in our soap. Raw materials are expensive here, which prevents us from increasing the volume of our soaps, and if we make them as big as the Ivory Coast soap, we can’t make a profit, so it’s a bit complicated for us. Personally, I’m going to continue selling liquid soap, but only for the time being, as liquid soap is bought a little more cheaply here.”

Lissoaba Onadja : manufacture and marketing of soumbala ( a popular African condiment )

“My soumbala business is doing well. I really enjoy this activity. I earn profits that enable me to support my daughter-in-law with the purchase of water, condiments, wood and often food. My only major problem is that I can’t find wholesale customers because I don’t know the town of Fada very well, so I only sell in the small markets at our host sites. Many thanks to APDC and its employees who have helped us and who encourage us to succeed.”

APDC have let us know that they will continue to visit these new entrepreneurs and provide support as needed over the coming months. As with any new venture, modifications will be made as the learning is solidified and experience gained.

Being a World Neighbour: Honduras project partner to tour BC to talk about experience with climate change and conflict

  • Kamloops:
    Monday, February 26 at 7:00 p.m.
    Kamloops United Church, 421 St. Paul Street

  • Oliver:
    Wednesday, February 28 at 3:00 p.m.
    Quail’s Nest Art Centre, 5840 Airport Road

  • Vancouver:
    Thursday, February 29 from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
    YWCA Hotel Vancouver, 733 Beatty Street
    Registration required: https://www.bccic.ca/event/climate-change-and-conflict-in-honduras/

BC tour planned

Men in Honduras view project documents standing around a table.
Caption: Carlos Vijil (right), the Executive Director of Vecinos Honduras, World Neighbours Canada’s partner non-governmental organization (NGO), works with Honduras community members on projects that improve the lives of Hondurans.

If you are curious about how financial contributions to the local non-profit organization World Neighbours Canada (WNC) are being put to work in Honduras, you won’t want to miss one of three upcoming presentations in Kamloops, Oliver, and Vancouver. 

“We are very excited about the upcoming visit of Carlos Vijil, the Executive Director of Vecinos Honduras, our partner non-governmental organization (NGO) in Honduras,” stated Judy Gray, a member of the WNC board of directors. “Carlos will be in B.C. for about a week to share his vast knowledge about Honduras.”

Gray stated Vijil is trained as a Sociologist (University of Costa Rica), and has worked in rural development for more than 50 years. He has a thorough understanding of many issues facing Hondurans today, and a passion for improving the lives of Hondurans. 

“As part of Carlos’ tour in the interior of B.C., he will be in Kamloops for a few days and we’d like to offer you the opportunity to meet him and learn more about the projects that World Neighbours Canada supports in Honduras, thanks to Vecinos Honduras,” stated Gray.

Vijil will be presenting at private and public venues to talk about the work being done. You can attend a Kamloops presentation on Monday, February 26 at 7:00 p.m. at the Kamloops United Church, 421 St. Paul Street, or come and hear more in Oliver, at the Quail’s Nest Art Centre, 5840 Airport Road, Wednesday, February 28 at 3:00 p.m.

His final stop is in Vancouver, at a presentation hosted by the British Columbia Council for International Cooperation (BCCIC) on Thursday, February 29 from 6:30 – 8:30pm at the YWCA Hotel Vancouver, 733 Beatty Street. 

“[Vecinos Honduras] aims to strengthen community-based organizations in rural communities so they can advocate for their own needs and priorities, to protect natural resources (including watersheds), encourage food sovereignty, and ensure sustainable livelihoods for rural people,” states the BCCIC website. “This is a unique opportunity to hear how climate change and environmental and social conflict are impacting communities in Honduras and why collaboration, solidarity and climate justice are critical.” 

This session is called Climate Change and Conflict in Honduras: Building Community and Climate Resilience in the Dry Corridor, and it will allow attendees to hear more about the impact of climate change, and the political and economic forces that have exacerbated poverty and social inequity.

While the Kamloops and Oliver presentations are open to drop in, the BCCIC event requires advance registration for the free presentation. For more information, visit their website. 

About World Neighbours Canada: 

World Neighbours Canada (WNC) is an organization founded in southern B.C in 1989 and currently has programs active in Nepal, Burkina Faso, and Honduras. WNC works with local partners on projects unique to each area, as determined by those in the affected areas. The overall goal is to help partners analyze and solve their own problems, and to encourage and train leaders and organizations local to the project areas. World Neighbours Canada has no central office and overhead costs are minimal. This work relies on public donations, and nearly 100% of donations go directly to the program areas. 

About Vecinos Honduras: 

Born in 2009 to support the development of the Honduran rural sector, its objective is to “facilitate and accompany participatory and equitable processes of comprehensive human development for families and organizations in rural communities, promoting the sustainable use of resources, food sovereignty, the rescue of moral and cultural values, community health, respect to nature to protect and improve the environment and quality of life for present and future generations.”   

About Honduras: 

Honduras is one of the poorest countries in Latin America. In terms of per capita GDP, at US$ 2,771.70 (World Bank, 2021), Honduras is the second poorest country in the region behind only Haiti. Worldwide it ranks 137th of 191 countries in the United Nations Human Development Index (2021). Over 50% of Honduras’ total population lives in poverty and 35% of Hondurans live in extreme poverty (income of less than $2/day), with poverty concentrated in the rural areas where half the population of 10.2 million resides. Chronic malnutrition of children (stunting) is widespread. Violent crime has plagued the country for several years, related to the drug trade, corruption and political turmoil. (Sources: Vecinos Honduras, World Bank, Insightcrime.org)

World Neighbours Canada talk in Vancouver

Calling all World Neighbours Canada supporters in the lower mainland! World Neighbours Canada would like to invite you to a live talk by Vecinos Honduras Director, Carlos Vijil on February 29th at 6:30pm.

For more information and to register visit https://www.bccic.ca/event/climate-change-and-conflict-in-honduras/.

This event is co-hosted by BCCIC and World Neighbours Canada. It is delivered with support from the Government of Canada and the Inter-Council Network’s Spur Change program.

 

Thank you for your support in 2023!

Just a quick note of thanks for all your support over the past year. It has been a busy year for us supporting our partners around the world. Each country has their own unique challenges and solutions.

All of this good work has been accomplished because a few hundred Canadians like you decided that they were not only grateful for the food, water and safety they enjoy—they were also determined to do what they could to help people who are less fortunate. Thank you for your support! It has made a huge difference to the lives of thousands of people.

Please continue to support World Neighbours Canada and its partner organizations to the extent you are able. I urge you to give generously to help us continue our fight against poverty and injustice.

If you want to receive a tax receipt for the 2023 year, you have only a few more days to donate. You can donate here: DONATE or click on the link at the top of the page. Please consider donating monthly.

All the best for 2024!

The World Neighbours Canada Board and Volunteers.

Empowering rural women in Burkina Faso – Video

We are very proud of a recent project that was completed in Burkina Faso by our partner APDC. The project was funded by a grant World Neighbours Canada obtained from the Fund for Innovation and Transformation (FIT). FIT is a program funded by Global Affairs Canada. After project completion, FIT provided additional funding to provide training and support for APDC to produce a video about the project to allow World Neighbours Canada to share the results of the project with Canadians, and also with other villages in Burkina Faso.

Rather than tell you about the project in detail, we thought we would share the video instead so you can hear the process and results from the participants themselves.

The video is from on our Youtube channel. You can see it here:

About the project briefly:

Following discussions with women in the rural Eastern region of Burkina Faso, APDC implemented activities with 110 women to allow each woman to set up and manage a household sheep-fattening enterprise. APDC provided training in basic bookkeeping, techniques in the care of the animals, how to choose an animal at the local livestock market, and entrepreneurial training – the traits of a successful business person. A key element of the project was engaging family members, and their embrace of the project was one of the highlights.

About APDC:

The full name of the partner organization is Association d’Appui à la Promotion du Développement durable des Communautés défavorisés. It is a small rural development organization in eastern Burkina Faso that World Neighbours Canada has supported, in a variety of ways, since 2009.

New research reveals extreme fluctuations between drought and flooding

By Bruce Petch, Volunteer Executive Director, World Neighbours Canada

Research findings released by the UK charity WaterAid describe how some dry regions of the world, including parts of Burkina Faso, are subject to a “whiplash” of extreme climate pressures. Periods of drought are followed by devastating floods. The research was done in partnership with the University of Bristol and Cardiff University (https://www.bristol.ac.uk/news/2023/november/flooding-and-drought.html).

The research is consistent with the experience of people living in the Eastern Region of Burkina Faso. World Neighbours Canada’s partner in the country, APDC, has often reported the seemingly contradictory observations that crops suffered from drought during the growing season, but severe flooding damaged the bunds in rice fields. APDC has been working with farmers to adapt to the changing climate. One strategy is to build more rice fields in slightly low-lying areas (the terrain is quite flat). If floodwaters can be controlled, rainfed rice production has the advantage of being less reliant on the distribution of rainfall over the growing season. Another strategy is to reduce reliance on field crops by supporting livestock production, market vegetables (where wells can provide water) and processing of agricultural products such as sesame.

Unfortunately, APDC’s work is hampered by a violent insurgency in the country that has caused many rural people to leave their homes and farms and seek refuge in towns where the army is better able to maintain security.

Thank you Lydia

Lydia presenting to Canadian students.WNC recently welcomed to B.C.: Lydia Tapsoba, a Gender Consultant from Burkino Faso .  Lydia has worked extensively with our local burkinabe partner, APDC.

In one day, Lydia completed 3 presentations to high school students and the general public; and travelled from Kamloops, to Oliver and on to Osoyoos, B.C. In between the presentations, Lydia found time to touch snow ( for the first time ever!), make a snowball, putt a few golf balls and dip her toes in Osoyoos Lake.

WNC welcomes Burkina Faso partner Lydia Tapsoba

World Neighbours Canada is very pleased to welcome Lydia Tapsoba, who will be visiting BC to present information about an innovative project done by APDC, the local partner of World Neighbours Canada in Burkina Faso. Judy Gray, a director with World Neighbours Canada, will travel with Lydia and assist with translation when necessary. 

We are excited about a number of presentations during Lydia’s visit, some open to the public:

Kamloops: Monday, September 25:

  • Private presentation: International Politics class at Thompson Rivers University
  • Public presentation: Plura Hills United Church
    • 7:00 pm
    • 2090 Pacific Way, Kamloops

Kamloops: Tuesday, September 26: 

  • Private presentation: SKSS French Immersion classes
  • Private presentation: McGowan Park Elementary
  • Private presentation: WNC donors / interested community members

Kamloops/Vernon: Wednesday, September 27:

  • Private presentation: Probus group (Kamloops)
  • Private presentation: Okanagan University College International Development class
  • Public presentation:
    • 6:30 pm at the Vernon Library
    • 2800 30th Ave, Vernon

Oliver: Friday, September 29:

  • Public presentation: Oliver Curling Club
    • 10:00 am
    • Oliver Curling Club Lounge
  • Private presentation: SOSS Social Justice class.
Abbotsford: Sunday, October 1:
  • Private presentation: World Neighbours Canada AGM in Abbotsford

Gibsons: Monday, October 2:

  • Public presentation: Gibsons Public Market
    • 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm
    • Coastal Room
  • Private presentation: Gibsons Conversational French group

Vancouver: Tuesday, October 3: 

  • Private presentation: Virtual lecture at UCFV
  • Private presentation: Donor’s home

Vancouver: Wednesday, October 4:

  • Public presentation: British Columbia Council for International Cooperation (BCCIC) event

Abbotsford: Friday, October 6:

  • Private presentation: Aldergrove Rotary meeting

WHAT IS APDC?

The full name of the partner organization is Association d’Appui à la Promotion du  Développement durable des Communautés défavorisés. It is a small rural development organization in eastern  Burkina Faso that World Neighbours Canada has supported, in a variety of ways, since 2009.  

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE PRESENTATION?

Lydia will be presenting information and results of a 15-month experimental project that APDC undertook in 2021- 2022. The project was funded by a grant World  Neighbours Canada obtained from the Fund for Innovation and Transformation (FIT). FIT is a program funded by Global Affairs Canada. After project completion, FIT provided additional funding to allow World Neighbours  Canada to share the results of the project with Canadians, and also with other villages in Burkina Faso. We are thrilled that Lydia is able to come to Canada to speak about the project and introduce a video created by APDC. 

WHO IS LYDIA TAPSOBA?

Lydia has worked with APDC when needed since 2007, as their Gender  Consultant. For the FIT project, she supported APDC and provided the staff with information to lead gender training workshops for the beneficiary women and their families. She led focus groups and designed surveys during the project to help better understand the gender equality situation in the area. Lydia lives in the capital, Ouagadougou, but has visited the project area many times and has first-hand knowledge of the challenges faced by rural women in the area and throughout Burkina  Faso.  

WHAT WAS THE EXPERIMENTAL PROJECT?

Following discussions with women in the rural Eastern region of Burkina Faso, APDC implemented activities with 110 women to allow each woman to set up and manage a  household sheep-fattening enterprise. APDC provided training in basic bookkeeping, techniques in the care of the animals, how to choose an animal at the local livestock market, and entrepreneurial training – the traits of a  successful businessperson.

A key element of the project was engaging family members, and their embrace of the project was one of the highlights. Following the short video, Lydia will participate in a facilitated discussion about the challenges and potential of economic empowerment of women farmers in a region affected by an increasingly unpredictable climate and frequent attacks by terrorists. Discussion after the video can focus on any of the following topics: 

  • empowering women to lead small family-run businesses
  • how men and youth are being included in projects that focus on women
  • why sheep fattening activities are important in the rural economy
  • approaches to alleviation of poverty in rural Burkina Faso
  • the effects of climate change in this region of the Sahel
  • the challenges of working in a region with a severe risk of terrorist attacks

For more information, contact Judy Gray at judyworldneighbours@gmail.com.

Visiting Honduras – School Hygiene

Dileyla Funez displaying the new school latrines.

One of the small projects World Neighbours Canada (WNC) supported over the past couple years was providing materials for latrines, water collection and hygienic supports for schools in communities around Concepcion de Maria, Choleteca.

As a result of the Covid-19 epidemic the government of Honduras changed the requirements for schools in Honduras to have cement floors, latrines and water for cleaning purposes. This was to ensure hygienic conditions. Unfortunately, these requirements were not supported with funds and many schools could not open.

Dileyla Funez, with a parent volunteer demonstrate the water collection system.

In the community of Majada we visited one of these schools that we supported. It is a one room kindergarten school that used to have a dirt floor and no latrine. Now it has a new cement floor, a water collection cistern, and two toilets. WNC provided the materials but all the work, including carrying the materials the two kilometres from the road, was provided by parent volunteers. Vecinos Honduras provided the technical support.

Children dancing on their new clean floor. The previous floor was dirt and would either get muddy or dusty.

We were treated to many enthusiastic children who, along with their dynamic teacher Dileyla Funez, entertained us with song and dance. We got the sense that the dancing was more for the children than for us, but it was wonderful to see the joy and exuberance of the children, and the pride of the parents.

In total, 76 girls and 69 boys from four (4) educational centres in the communities La Majada, La Plomosa, El Peñón #2 and El Peñón #1 will have improved health conditions as a result of the construction of latrines and the installation of water storage tanks to harvest rainwater from the roofs.

Seventy-six parents were involved on the installation of the tanks at these educational centres by carrying materials, providing unskilled hand labour and gaining awareness about creating healthier environments for boys and girls.

This February, World Neighbours Canada (WNC) board members Gabriel Newman and Judy Gray along with WNC volunteer Peter Gray visited Honduras to see the work that was being done by our partners there, Vecinos Honduras. They will be sharing stories and information that they have gathered over the next few months. Write up by Gabriel Newman. Photos by Judy Gray.

Visiting Honduras – Entrepreneur Ever Perez

Ever A Perez -Carpenter

In Azabache we met Ever Perez. He is a 28 year old father of two who started his own wood working company with the support of Vecinos Honduras (VH). After finishing school at grade 9 he wanted to become an engineer but his parents could not afford to send him away to complete high school and attend university. Instead, he worked locally as a labourer. One of his hobbies was woodworking and he would carve keychains. He was selling them at a local fair when he met Manuel Castellanos, the facilitator with VH. VH was looking for young people who might be interested in learning some entrepreneurial skills.

Ever worked with Manuel to create a business proposal and to apply for a small loan from VH (the money was supplied by Groundswell, an American NGO whose methodology is similar to World Neighbours). With his loan he was able to buy a couple power tools as he was previously doing all his work by hand. He paid back the loan and took out another loan to buy a generator and some land to build an actual shop.

Ever Perez and Manuel Castellanos

Ever said his business is very busy. He has hired two employees to help him. His little company builds everything from doors, bedframes, boxes, novelties, and decorations. He says he has plenty of work. His business makes it possible to stay in the community and raise his children here.

Ever Perez’s hand tools. He has added a table saw to his operations.

Vecinos Honduras has worked with communities in Azabache for twelve years and plans to leave by the end of 2023. Towards the end of the project, after working on capacity building, agroecology, water, and maternal/child health, the community was looking for ways to help keep their young people in the area as employment option are limited. Working with the communities, Vecinos Honduras, supported by other agencies, began working with many young adults on how to become entrepreneurs. Various trainings were provided to support the development of business ideas. Small loans were also available to help the participants made key purchases.

Outside funding ended to properly complete supporting these entrepreneurs and community groups (more to come on that later). World Neighbours Canada has stepped in to support VH in these communities to ensure that these enterprises learn proper bookkeeping and other essential administrative skills to help ensure their success. Ever admits that the administrative side of the business is his least favourite but he is proud of what he has been able to build in three years.

This February, World Neighbours Canada (WNC) board members Gabriel Newman and Judy Gray along with WNC volunteer Peter Gray visited Honduras to see the work that was being done by our partners there, Vecinos Honduras. They will be sharing stories and information that they have gathered over the next few months. Write up by Gabriel Newman. Photos by Judy Gray.

The view from Azabache.

World Neighbours Canada • Box 1771, Oliver, B.C., Canada • V0H 1T0
250-498-1713 • info@worldneighbours.ca
Federally registered charity BN 89212 8646 RR 0001