Dearest Gentle Reader,
We are delighted to present you with the first edition of our quarterly newsletter for the year 2024. This newsletter serves as a window into the impactful projects, collaborations, and initiatives that have shaped our efforts toward sustainable development and positive change.
At the heart of our endeavors lies a deep-rooted belief that meaningful participation in governance and development can only be realized through economic, political, and social empowerment. With this vision steering our actions, SSDO diligently provides platforms, services, and skill sets that empower marginalized groups to excel, ensuring an improved quality of life for all.
As we navigate through the stories and achievements showcased in this newsletter, we invite you to join us in our mission to make development happen for women, youth, and children through good governance and education. Thus creating lasting social impact, fostering environmental sustainability, and empowering communities toward a brighter and more resilient future. Thank you for your continued support and partnership in advancing positive change.
Without further ado, let’s delve in.
Climate Advocacy Forum and Press Conference
We conducted key informant interviews with relevant Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to further assess the government’s commitment to combating climate change and the implementation of climate-related activities within the state budget.
This will increase stakeholder awareness and facilitate dialogue and collaboration. More importantly, this will trigger positive actions to be taken to improve the state’s proactiveness to climate change matters.
For more details on the press conference: https://youtu.be/8XJ7XiRKn3A
Community Accountability Committee Budget Tracking and Monitoring Report
Following the training on budget tracking and monitoring under the Strategic Partnership Agreement Project Phase II, 28 community youths from four LGAs established Community Accountability Committees (CAC). They identified key capital projects earmarked for their communities and tracked their progress.
The youths embarked on the capital project monitoring and successfully identified these projects and their current states. The committees have also sent their monitoring reports to their respective LGA Chairmen. After the CAC completed the project tracking and monitoring, they proceeded to present their findings to the community members and stakeholders during the LGA town hall meeting.
The team also identified major needs to be considered in subsequent allocations. Here are the findings and state of projects in these communities. You can download the report here: https://southsaharan.org/resources/
Studies show that 60.3% of Enugu State’s population are farmers. However, traditional farming practices face imminent threats from land degradation, erosion, flooding, and the adverse impacts of climate change. Land degradation, stemming from soil erosion and deforestation, has decreased soil fertility and reduced agricultural productivity.
Understanding this challenge, South Saharan Social Development Organization in partnership with NCF Nigeria, and the Nigeria Climate Justice Alliance implemented the Agroecology for Climate Resilience and Food Security (AGROCRAF) project. The project aims to enhance farmers’ resilience and sustainability in Enugu state’s rural communities.
The team organized a workshop over a four-day period from January 10th to 13th, 2024, in two communities: Eke in Udi Local Government Area (LGA) and Amagu Oduma in Aninri LGA, Enugu State. Ninety farmers from both communities participated in the training and were provided with improved seedlings to help improve their yields. The training covered topics such as soil conservation, sustainable water management, reduction in the use of agrochemicals and composting, pest control, multiple cropping, rotation, intercropping, guiding farmers through establishing cooperatives and securing grants and loans.
Enugu State Wash Sector Coordination Meeting
The success of any project is hinged on the ability of the stakeholders to liaise effectively to deliver cross-cutting solutions that will ultimately improve the lives of beneficiaries.
Understanding the importance of partnership to the growth of the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) sector in Enugu state, South Saharan Social Development Organization, in partnership with WaterAid Nigeria, organized a WASH sector coordination stakeholder engagement in collaboration with the Society for Water and Sanitation (NEWSAN) Enugu State chapter, and the Enugu State Small Town Water Agency (ENSTOWA) –Ministry of Water Resources.
The meeting’s objective was to remove sectional barriers in WASH-related interventions across the state and to promote multi-sectoral, structured, operationalized, measured, and evaluated WASH services in the state. Stakeholders present include the Commissioner for Water Resources, Dr. Felix Nnamani, Special Adviser to the Governor on Donor Relations, Hon. Dubem Onyia, Permanent Secretary – Ministry of Water Resources, Dr. Ada Nwoye, civil society organizations, government agencies, and media agencies.
Going forward, the group hopes to integrate the various organizational work plans into the government’s plan, identify schools lacking sanitation facilities, and provide the infrastructure. Ultimately, improving access to water and sanitation facilities in the state.
Commissioning of the Karonmajigi Water Project for the Persons With Disability Settlement
In Nigeria, more than 60 million people do not have access to basic water supply. Over 12 million people lack access to toilet facilities. 29 percent of children do not have water to meet their daily needs. Thus affecting their ability to attend school and wash their hands properly to fight off diseases. For people living with disabilities, the impact is even more severe.
The lack of access to water increases open defecation in communities. This pollutes the environment, contaminates water sources, and exposes the community to diseases like cholera, diarrhea, and dysentery.
Understanding this problem, South Saharan Social Development Organization, in partnership with the Embassy of Switzerland in Nigeria, constructed a 10,000-liter solar-powered borehole for the Persons with Disabilities Settlement in Karonmajigi, Abuja. The project was commissioned on the 13th of February 2024 with the Deputy Head of Mission at Embassy of Switzerland in Nigeria, Mr. Lukas Schifferle, in attendance to open the project.
The team also constructed a 380-meter drainage to help channel out wastewater and prevent stagnation. Thus improving sanitation and hygiene in the community. The project looks to provide water to over 5,000 residents of the community. The intervention will reduce the incidence of water-borne diseases like cholera and diarrhea. Continue Reading.
SSDO, WaterAid Nigeria Organize Hygiene Behavior Change Campaign
South Saharan Social Development Organization, in partnership with WaterAid Nigeria, organized a community engagement event under the Latter-Day Saints Charity Project (LDSC) III. The project’s goal is to improve access to clean water and hygienic sanitation in communities of Enugu state.
This event marked the initiation of the Hygiene Behavioral Change (HBC) campaign, a crucial component of the larger LDSC III project. The campaign took place at the Community Primary School Mboshi-Aji, with active participation from various demographics within the Mboshi community.
The community engagement event was strategically divided into two groups, fostering effective interaction and engagement. It was an avenue to teach hygiene education. This encompassed proper handwashing techniques, practices, and sanitation and waste management. Men, women, and children were well represented and contributed to the success of the event.
SSDO Becomes a Founding Member of the Enugu State Donor Coordination Committee
South Saharan Social Development Organization, SSDO, was nominated as a worthy member of the Enugu State Donor Coordination Committee. At the inaugural meeting, Dr. Stanley Ilechukwu, SSDO’s Executive Director reiterated the organization’s commitment to align its key projects with the state’s priorities in an effort to optimize resource allocation. This will help limit overlaps, waste, and underutilization of resources, and enhance desired development outcomes set forth by each of the donor agencies.
The committee would help to provide strategic guidance and oversight for donor- funded initiatives, and ensure alignment of donor activities with the state’s development priorities and plans. The committee will also foster synergy and avoid duplication of efforts among donor agencies and partners, and assist in monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness and impact of donor-funded projects.
SSDO Commemorates International Women’s Day 2024
Studies have shown that increased women’s representation in leadership positions has helped to reduce marginalization and discrimination as women in power can better advocate and present the needs of other women. SSDO organized a radio sensitization program to celebrate the wins of Sister Guardians and to share their stories, challenges, and journeys since they were elected to the traditional ruling councils in their communities. Also to advocate for more diversity in leadership opportunities for women.
To further see better women inclusion in more communities, SSDO organized a stakeholder engagement workshop in Udi LGA, Enugu state. The workshop was an avenue to highlight the importance of women’s inclusion and women empowerment at the community level. The workshop had traditional rulers, president generals, women leaders, and community members in attendance. Continue Reading.
SSDO, Caritas Nigeria to Implement the Global Fund Grant Cycle 7 Tuberculosis Project
South Saharan Social Development Organization in partnership with Caritas Nigeria, will be implementing the Global Fund Grant Cycle 7 Tuberculosis (TB) project in Enugu State. To successfully deliver on this project, the team had an onboarding meeting for community-based organizations that will help in the implementation.
During the meeting, participants were intimated on the project’s objectives which include focusing on increasing TB and HIV testing coverage, mapping traditional birth attendants’ sites, enhancing TB/HIV prevention and treatment services, expanding HIV testing for pregnant women, and scheduling TB testing activities.
Furthermore, participants were trained in using the Comm Care Application software, which aids client tracking and support through registration forms and checklists.
SSDO, WaterAid Nigeria Commemorates World Water Day 2024
To commemorate World Water Day 2024, South Saharan Social Development Organization in partnership with WaterAid Nigeria and the Enugu State Ministry of Water Resources through the Small Town Unit commenced the construction of a 20,000-gallon water scheme in Mboshi-Aji community, Igbo-Eze LGA funded by Latter Day-Saints Charity Project.
The foundation-laying ceremony signifies the outset of a transformative endeavor aimed at enhancing water accessibility and fostering community development. The water scheme will help to reduce open defecation and keep Enugu on course to achieve an open defecation-free status by 2030.
The project will help combat poor sanitation, infectious diseases, malnutrition, and help community children focus more on their education as the distraction of going long distances to draw water will be eliminated.
Tackling and Insecurity and Human Rights Violations in SouthEast Nigeria
South Saharan Social Development Organization participated in the launch of the report “Unveiling the Roots of Insecurity, Healing the Wounds of Human Rights Violations in Southeast Nigeria: A Path Towards Peace, Open Democratic Space, and a Prosperous Future”
The report was published by the Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) in partnership with the Action Group on Free Civic Space (AGFCS). Some of the recommendations of the report include:
- The government should shift focus from using the military to the police force to maintain law and order in civilian areas.
- High priority should be given to Police reform.
- A robust security plan should be developed.
- The government should uphold the socioeconomic and cultural rights of people in the southeast.
- Improve investigation of human rights abuse in communities by leveraging vigilante groups.
- Hold vigilante groups accountable and ensure they operate within the confines of the law.
- Incorporate human rights training for all levels of policing.
Reducing Sexual Risk in Children by Improving Parent-Child Communication
Many parents and caregivers need support to effectively define and convey their values and expectations about sexual behavior and to communicate to their children important messages about HIV, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and pregnancy prevention.
Understanding this challenge, South Saharan Social Development Organization in partnership with Caritas Nigeria is implementing the Families Matter! Program (FMP). The program is an evidence-based intervention for parents and caregivers of 9-12-year-olds that promotes positive parenting practices and effective parent-child communication about sex-related issues and sexual risk reduction.
It is a community-based, group-level intervention that raises awareness about the sexual risks teens face today. The project improves parents’ ability to effectively communicate with their children about sexuality and sexual risk reduction.
Over the last quarter, the implementation of a new session has commenced in Imo and Enugu states. The teams conducted advocacy visits and mobilized five cohorts in each of the assigned Local Government Areas (LGAs). They also reached out to various community and religious leaders and stakeholders to emphasize the program’s impact and sensitize them on its importance.