News – Page 8 – World Neighbours Canada

March 21, 2017July 3, 2017

Celebrating International Women’s Day in Fada

by Judy Gray, director of World Neighbours Canada

Though we hear International Women’s Day, March 8, mentioned on the news in our country, it is not celebrated at the same level as in many countries of the world, especially within Africa. In Burkina Faso, le 8 mars, is a National public holiday and permits the nation to focus on women and their status and role in Burkinabé society.

My husband and I were very lucky to be in Fada on that day and able to participate in the festivities. This year, the day was celebrated in the village of Gnianmanga, one of the original project villages of APDC. Just getting to the village, for many of these women, is no mean feat, as there are no cars in the area and even the number of motorcycles to transport people is limited. Therefore, participating along with 200 village women, and a total gathering of nearly 400, was a unique experience.

The highlight of the celebration was the parade of groups of women, representing each of the villages who are part of the project. Dancing, drumming and eating are also part of the day, providing an opportunity for women to socialize and exchange ideas, and share common concerns as they so rarely get together in one location.

An employee of the State Social Services Department spoke about the many ways that women face “exclusion” in their society and reminded them that this day, le 8 mars, is not only a time for festivities but also a time to reflect on women’s roles and a time to exercise one’s right as a partner within the household. As a director of World Neighbours Canada, AND as a woman, it was a thrill to be part of these festivities and celebrate this crucial day with women who are taking steps, albeit small, to assert themselves and develop their independence.

February 26, 2017July 3, 2017

The toilet or the house … the perspective from Nepal

by Libby Denbigh, with information from Suresh Shrestha

“The best-laid plans, or, what comes first, the toilet or the house?”

In Nepal, for example, the government has decided to push ahead with a plan to ensure that every village household is equipped with a toilet. The goal is to do away with the centuries-old practice of open defecation in the rural areas. To Western minds, this seems a worthy ambition. But to some Nepali families, those who have lost their houses in the earthquake of 2015, this edict can seem nothing short of ridiculous. Since the quake, many people are still waiting to qualify for government assistance to rebuild their homes. Why, they ask, while camping atop a pile of rubbish that used to be their cozy cottage, why should we build a latrine when what we really need to be doing is putting a roof over our heads?

For Tamakoshi Sewa Samiti, or TSS, our partner NGO in Nepal, and by extension, for World Neighbours Canada, this poses a dilemma. Because of our mandate, our funds from Canadian donations have been earmarked to build toilets in some of these same villages. But there can be resistance from villagers who see this as just a way of putting the proverbial “cart before the
horse”. For some of them, the only way they can see to hold the government accountable for their lack of housing is to say “no” to the construction of toilets. No house, no toilet.

Understandably, TSS is reluctant to be caught in the middle of such a dispute. Luckily most villages which are working with TSS do understand the difference and are still willing to go ahead and install latrines with donations from World Neighbours Canada.

February 15, 2017July 3, 2017

Introducing a Vecinos Honduras’ volunteer …

information from Balvina Amador – project coordinator for Vecinos Honduras; posted by Judy Gray

ROMELIA CÁRDENAS, Guide Mother with Vecinos Honduras

We are happy to have received information from Balvina Amador, project coordinator with Vecinos Honduras, our partner NGO in Honduras. He has provided us with photos and key information about the individuals who are working at the grassroots level to model and support villagers who wish to improve their lives. Without these local leaders, implementation of new technologies and ideas would be difficult to achieve. Our project partners are also benefitting from the financial support provided by Global Affairs Canada through our Maternal Child Health grant.

Here is our first bio:

Romelia is a 54 year old mother and community leader living in San Jose where she is dedicated to running her home. From 2010-2014 she worked in community development with the support of World Vision. In 2014 she met a staff member of Vecinos Honduras and in 2015 she began receiving training in basic sanitation, food preparation, healthy eating, stove improvements, child nutrition and livestock management. In 2016 she integrated herself as a volunteer Guide Mother in her community and since then has been ensuring that the children in her community are growing and developing adequately. Romelia attended school until 6th grade and what she enjoys most is to care for the children of her friends and neighbours. She has worked in directive positions for groups such as the Society of Family Parents.

February 2, 2017July 3, 2017

Exploring the Historical Roots in Nepal: Celebrating 28 Years of Partnership

by Navjot Gill, WNC director

As the youngest member on the WNC Board of Directors, I had the unique opportunity to explore the historical roots of our community partnership in Ramechhap, Nepal during a short visit to the country in early January 2017.

Mrs. Durga Ghimire and I sharing 28 years of partnership between WNC and TSS.

This year, we are celebrating 28 years of partnership with Tamakoshi Sewa Samiti (TSS is our partner organization in Nepal). TSS was established in 1984 by the late Mr. Jagadish Ghimire and Mrs. Durga Ghimire. Throughout the years, I have had the pleasure of reflecting back on the early days of the organization through stories that were shared by individuals who have been part of the movement since the 1980s, such as Suresh Shrestha (current program coordinator) and Dr. Suman Karmacharya (current physician at TSS hospital). I remember sitting in the TSS courtyard and following the descriptive narrative of what the buildings and facilities looked like 10, 15, and 20 years ago. Often, I have had the honour of hearing about the Ghimire family, the family’s vision and commitment that inspired the creation of TSS and how their roots in social justice created a community-based foundation for everyone to build from.

This visit, I had the honour of meeting with Mrs. Durga Ghimire and her son, Himal Ghimire. It was truly a unique experience to learn about their journey with social justice, literature, and advocacy in regards to Ramechhap and also at the national level. Mrs. Ghimire is a renowned activist for women’s rights, safe migration and human trafficking. She founded Agroforestry, Basic health and Cooperative Nepal (ABC Nepal), which is an organization that is grounded in advocating for the rights of women and dismantling human trafficking practices. Further, the late Mr. Jagadish Ghimire is remembered by the nation for his great contributions to Nepal’s literature, his lifelong commitment to activism and grassroots planning, and his political contributions. On this occasion, we sat, reflecting back on TSS, sharing a meal together, and fostering a relationship that started 28 years ago by folks at World Neighbours Canada, some who we are still honoured to have on our Board, and others whom we miss dearly.

January 11, 2017July 3, 2017

Donation from Oliver Rotary – much appreciated!

by Russell Work and Dale Dodge, posted by Judy Gray

It was a Ho Ho Ho, Merry Christmas for all concerned. The Oliver Rotary Club was pleased to be able to make a second donation to World Neighbours Canada in the amount of $4000 for their projects in Nepal. President Jennifer Roussel and International Director, Russell Work were on hand to present the cheque to Director, Dale Dodge.

As Dale Dodge, director with WNC stated: “The money is very welcome and will be put towards the Global Affairs Canada (GAC) Maternal-Child Health project presently under way in Nepal. WNC and their partner Tamakoshi Sewa Samiti (TSS) are working with villagers in Nepal to install 21 gravity fed water systems and 4200 sealed, hygienic toilets in the next 4 years. The project is now into its second year and, despite a huge earthquake in Nepal two years ago, things are moving along well.”

January 3, 2017July 3, 2017

Greeting 2017 positively!

posted by Judy Gray, with quotes from our partners – Vecinos Honduras and APDC

Our partner organizations, Vecinos Honduras and APDC from Burkina Faso have recently sent well-wishes for a prosperous new year and expressed thanks for the support they have received from World Neighbours Canada and Global Affairs Canada. The directors of World Neighbours Canada pass on those wishes and gratitude to all our supporters. We are hoping for peaceful conditions throughout the coming year in all the areas where we are working with people to alleviate poverty. Here are the messages from our partners.

¡Que las fiestas de navidad sean propicias para fortalecer nuestro compromiso por un mundo mejor e iniciar el 2017 con renovadas energías y esperanzas!

~ miembros directivos, personal técnico y administrativo de Vecinos Honduras

“Nous adressons des voeux de santé, de progrès, de paix et de succès à WNCanada et au Gouvernement Canadien à travers votre Institution. Toute notre vive gratitude à l’égard de vos multiples efforts pour nous soutenir, s’exprime également à travers ces voeux.”

~ Charles Tankoano et toute l’équipe de APDC, ainsi que les communautés de Fada

December 13, 2016July 3, 2017

Vecinos Honduras – a successful model for Holistic Community Development

by Vera Radyo, Executive Director of the Kenoli Foundation and a World Neighbours Canada volunteer; photos by Ken Phillips; posted by Judy Gray

Improved stoves make a world of difference for women, their families
and the environment.

Over the years, we have seen dramatic improvements in the lives of the people in the original 10 communities of the Michael Newman Program located in the El Guano area of the municipality of Danli.
As a result of an agrarian reform process, some landless farmers “campesinos” were granted land in the remote mountain areas of the Danli. In 2007, when Vecinos Honduras came there, the community leaders stated that food insecurity was a huge problem with an average of 90 days a year when families had no food and were forced to borrow funds at exorbitant interest rates to feed their families. Thus, not only were they extremely poor, but they were in debt!

This plantain harvest will help feed the family.

The reality for these communities has changed dramatically since then. They are now food secure. The families have learned how to grow organic corn, beans, coffee, vegetables and fruits. Their children are healthier and better nourished. Women cook on improved stoves, no longer inhale the smoke from cooking over open fires and they have made many household improvements. The families no longer live in isolation from one another, but have formed coffee cooperatives and micro-businesses.

Because they live in remote mountainous communities, they are easily forgotten. However, they have learned how to advocate for themselves and have received support from the local municipality in the way of water and sanitation, road improvements, construction of a training center and more. Most importantly, community leaders have been trained as agents of change to ensure that the development is sustained. These communities will never regress to the old ways!

These children are learning a marketable skill — making beautiful baskets!

The Vecinos Honduras model is unique. The staff of the project live in the rural and remote communities in which they work. This model has been very successful and for the past few years, the staff of the Michael Newman Program have shifted the focus of their work to another 7 villages in the mountains of Azabache, where they are already seeing important changes in the lives of the communities.

NOTE: Michael Newman of World Neighbours Canada supported the Vecinos Honduras programs for over 20 years and passed away in 2013. The program was named in his honour. World Neighbours Canada is pleased to be able to support the expansion of this project into a new area, Valle, in part due to grant support from the Canadian Government as part of a Maternal, Newborn Child Health initiative that WNC received. Further program expansion in Azabache is not possible at this time due to insecurity as violent crime is widespread in the country because of the drug trade and ineffective policing.

October 11, 2016July 3, 2017

Introducing our newest Board member

posted by Judy Gray, with information from Libby Denbigh

The Denbigh family in Salleni, Nepal - Libby, our newest Board member on the right — The Denbigh family in Salleni, Nepal – Libby, our newest Board member, wearing a white Tilley hat.

My name is Libby, short for Elizabeth, but nobody calls me that except the bank. My late husband, David Denbigh, was a member of the board of World Neighbours for several years. He passed away suddenly last December and I am honoured to be asked to take his place on the board. I don’t expect to be able to fill his shoes, (they were size eleven, after all) but I will do what I can to help this really important organization. I have seen first hand what money from WNC has accomplished in Nepal as I have been there twice. Our initial interest was spurred by our younger daughter’s death in 2006. Her last wish was that we should find an NGO that worked with the villagers of Nepal. We chose World Neighbours because all of the board are unpaid volunteers. All the money donated goes to fund new water systems in the rural area of Ramechhap in Nepal, or to projects in Honduras and Burkina Faso. We have been supporters ever since. I am a retired primary teacher. I have three children and four grandchildren and I enjoy camping with them in the summer and skiing in the winter. Originally a farm girl from Manitoba, I have lived and worked in Kamloops since 1970. I look forward to serving on the board of WNC for as long as I can be of assistance.

October 6, 2016July 3, 2017

Benefits of BCCIC

by Bruce Petch, WNC director

United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

World Neighbours Canada is a member of the BC Council for International Cooperation (BCCIC), a network of organizations working in international development. I attended the annual general meeting of BCCIC in Vancouver in mid-September. It was a great opportunity to meet with other BC organizations who are also engaged in the alleviation of poverty around the world. BCCIC has provided a number of very useful workshops over the past year, with topics such as project monitoring and donor stewardship. The network also fosters connections with Global Affairs Canada, and a current employee and two retired employees from this branch of the federal government attended the meeting. They were able to provide insights into the functioning of this sector of our government. Lastly, BCCIC is a useful link to “the big picture” of international development. A current focus of attention is the Sustainable Development Goals adopted by the United Nations, a lofty set of goals intended to make the world a better place for everyone by 2030.

September 23, 2016July 3, 2017

Hilidevi- An example of community partnerships

a short excerpt from, “Sustainable Community Development” written by Navjot Gill as a reflection of her 2016 field visits in Ramechhap, Nepal ]

I had the opportunity to accompany the TSS (Tamakoshi Sewa Samiti – our partner NGO in Nepal) team to the district of Hilidevi for an initial community-wide engagement visit. Here, TSS will support the construction of household toilets. This work will be funded by the Global Affairs Canada grant in Maternal, Newborn and Child Health. The community of Hilidevi faces many challenges in health care and development. First, it is extremely isolated. It is a 5-hour drive from Manthli and roads are often closed due to the weather. Second, the community lacks basic necessities. There is no access to electricity and most people have no access to water. Lastly, the village does not have accessible health care, though there is a health post in the district headquarters. With so many challenges, where does development even begin?

The community-wide meeting in Hilidevi gave individuals, families, and service providers an opportunity to discuss some of these challenges. In total, there were 8 TSS personnel and 55 community members, ranging from children, mothers, elders, teachers, health care workers, political leaders and female community health volunteers. TSS project coordinator and board member presented their invitation for collaboratively building household toilets in the district. This was followed by an invitation for community members to discuss their experiences of health care. Themes that circulated the room were access to healthcare services, lack of accessibility due to their geographical location, the need to include and provide for those who cannot afford to build their own toilets, and an agreement that ODF (open defecation free) was a priority for the community. This participatory process ensures community buy-in, allows dialogue and discussion, and further gives community members, like the health services providers, an opportunity to discuss the importance of topics like household toilets in relation to infectious disease.