August 10, 2021
Fambul Tok International with support from the Government of Sierra Leone, GoSL, United Nations Development Program, UNDP, and FAO Sierra Leone has commenced the ‘Strengthening Human Security Program’ in the remote areas of Kamara, Soa and Gbense Chiefdoms in the Kono District.
This joint program, using the human security approach, seeks to address development challenges and vulnerabilities in the three chiefdoms that face multiple interconnected development challenges, such as, poverty, food insecurity, unsustainable mining practices and destructive forestry activities that have negatively impacted the survival, livelihood and dignity of the residents.
Welcoming the Team, the Paramount of Soa Chiefdom, PC Tamba Emmanuel Torcheh Foyor IV expressed his delight at the initiative Fambul Tok had brought, noting that for too long Soa chiefdom had been deprived of so many development interventions.
He recalled the role Fambul Tok played during the civil war conflict in Sierra Leone in helping communities better shape their differences, livelihoods, and also helping them foster development interventions in their own communities. PC Foyor heartily welcomed the team to the chiefdom, assuring the residents of the positive track record Fambul Tok had developed over the years, particularly in community development.
Haja Fatmata Yajah, the Women’s Leader for Soa Chiefdom and also the Gender and Children’s Affairs Officer, in her statement, appreciated the work Fambul Tok had been doing for communities in helping them address the social issues that affect that, especially the women who represent one of the vulnerable in communities, adding that the peaceful cohesion message Fambul Tok has brought to them would surely help develop Soa chiefdom.
In his address, John Caulker, the Executive Director- Fambul Tok International, said the program was meant to look at the communities co-existence, and social cohesion with a focus on working with youth and women groups live as one, getting to accommodate each other as a community.
He said they would help the community develop a unifying framework for peace and community development programs through project start up activities; organize social cohesion events and platforms in the chiefdoms beyond the life of the project, drawing an enhanced community generated view, such as, facilitating annual year round youth peace football matches; and the setting up of community Grievance Redress Committees, GRC, supporting them facilitate chiefdom meetings with representation from all sections in every chiefdom, including women and youths.
John Caulker said their presence in these communities would help them strengthen their orientation to addressing community issues and enhancing development interventions.
“We are not here to tell communities what to do, our approach is to work with the people, accompany them plan their development initiatives and also help the community address the challenges— in order for peaceful cohesion to exist in these remote communities,” he concluded.