Welcome to the third edition of SSDO’s Quarterly Newsletter!

We are excited to share with you the latest updates on our mission to make development happen for women, youth, and children through good governance and education. As we delve into the heart of 2023, we remain steadfast in our commitment to driving meaningful change.

In This Issue:

Tackling Gender-Based Violence: Our frontline advocates continue their unwavering efforts to eradicate gender-based violence in our project communities. We’d take you behind the scenes to meet the heroes who make up our Gender-

Based Violence Response Teams, their inspiring stories, and the impact they are creating.

Health: Learn about our initiatives aimed at promoting holistic health and well-being. We believe that a healthy body and mind are crucial to empowerment, and we’re dedicated to improving healthcare access in underserved areas.

Climate Justice: Climate change disproportionately affects vulnerable populations, including women and children. Discover how we’re addressing this pressing issue and championing climate resilience within our communities.

Youth Advocacy: Young people are at the forefront of change. We celebrated International Youth Day with gusto and engaged youths on other fronts, highlighting their voices and contributions to their community development.

Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene: We understand access to clean water and sanitation is a fundamental right. We’ll share the progress we’ve made in providing WASH facilities and education to marginalized communities.

in decision-making through town hall meetings, monitoring and tracking activities, focus groups, and open dialogues.

In every section of this newsletter, you’ll find stories of hope, resilience, and determination. We invite you to read on, share our stories, and join us in the advocacy for a more just and inclusive world.

SSDO, ActionAid Establish Gender-Based Violence Response Teams in Project Communities

Gender-based violence (GBV) remains a significant issue in our society, especially in rural communities, causing immense harm and violating the fundamental rights of individuals, particularly women and girls.

Women often cower in fear as their source of livelihood is tied to their abusive partners. Addressing GBV requires collaborative efforts from government agencies, community stakeholders, and civil society organizations.

Understanding this challenge, South Saharan Social Development Organization, in partnership with ActionAid Nigeria, under the Local Rights Programme in Enugu State, established a GBV response team in three communities: Ihenyi and Orokoro communities in Isi-Uzo LGA and Igga community in Uzo Uwani LGA.

Monitoring: A Key to Sustainability in the WASH Sector

We understand that executing a project and moving on to others is not enough. There’s the place of adequate monitoring and evaluation to improve learning and the ability to make data-driven decisions. As well as improved allocation of resources for future interventions. Understanding this, South Saharan Social Development Organization, in partnership with WaterAid Nigeria and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints team, conducted a comprehensive field visit and assessment in Enugu State to evaluate the effectiveness of existing water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) interventions under the Latter-Day Saints Charity Project. This helped to assess the impact of phases one and two of the WASH projects implemented in the state.

The evaluation was done to determine the functionality and impact of three projects: Amufie Water scheme in Igbo Eze North LGA, Ukwuinyi Water scheme in Igbo Eze North LGA, and Garriki Market Sanitation Facility 1 and 2 in Enugu South LGA. Other stakeholders present include the Ministry of Water Resources, ENRUWASSA, contractors, the Igbo Eze North LGA Chairman, and the LGA WASH unit. The projects have improved the communities’ access to clean water, improved sanitation practices, and enhanced hygiene behaviors.

SSDO Becomes a Founding Member of the Nigerian Climate Justice Alliance

South Saharan Social Development Organization, SSDO, participated in a Climate Justice Workshop and the inauguration of the Nigeria Climate Justice Alliance (NCJA) organized by NCF Nigeria with support from Ford Foundation. The NCJA is a coalition of civil society organizations with a track record of climate actions nationwide and the potential to advocate and accelerate climate justice issues.

The coalition aims to strengthen civil society’s voices in tracking, monitoring, and supporting sub-national and national governments in delivering climate actions and plans. It will help civil society members lead community-driven climate and nature- based solutions projects nationwide. Thus establishing a strong voice and charting a pathway on climate justice. SSDO’s Head of Programs, Udochukwu Egwim, represented the organization at the conference held at Bolton Whites Hotel and Apartment, Abuja, on the 25th and 26th of July 2023. SSDO is committed to climate justice for rural communities and

Christian’s Story: Finding Hope in a System That Works

Christian is a farmer and proud father of three children who lives in Aninri. He works tirelessly, cultivating the land and selling the farm products to support his family. The town is a farming community and serves as the main source of Christian’s family income.

However, his life took an unexpected turn when he contracted tuberculosis. This debilitating illness brought everything to a halt, leaving him unable to carry out even the simplest tasks without assistance. He was confined to the bed for several months, plagued by symptoms such as rapid breathing, persistent coughing, and constant dizziness.

“I am the breadwinner of my family. But when the illness started, I couldn’t take care of my kids anymore. It was a challenging time for me and my loved ones.”, he shared. Find out how South Saharan Social Development Organization intervened and helped Christian.

DR-TB Project Monitoring and Supervision

On the pathway to behavior change, it is not enough to implement project activities and hope for the best. It is important to monitor and evaluate implementation at all stages. This helps improve evidence-based decision-making, improved performance, better resource allocation, quality assurance, real-time learning, and long-term sustainability.

Understanding this, the Association for Reproductive & Family Health-ARFH, conducted a supervisory visit in Enugu state alongside South Saharan Social Development Organization. The aim was to evaluate progress made on the Drug- Resistant Tuberculosis Project funded by The Global Fund.

Dr. John Osho, Programme Manager, TB Global Fund project of the Association of Reproductive and Family Health, ARFH, visited the state office, SSDO office, patient’s homes, tuberculosis lab at the hospital, TB stores, and the Direct Observed Therapy Centers. This will help to identify the pressing challenges and ascertain the need assessment of beneficiaries in the program.

Over the quarter, SSDO’s health officer provided adherence counseling to the project beneficiaries. The project conducts household visits and provides monthly transport support to the patients and their treatment supporters.

International Youth Day 2023 Commemoration

Nigeria’s youth make up about 60 percent of the country’s populace. Making it one of the world’s youngest populations. With such a vibrant demographic, you’d expect a thriving economy, innovation, creativity, accelerated human capital development, and long-term stability. But this is not directly the case. And the difference between where we are and where we ought to be as a nation is skills.

Understanding this challenge, South Saharan Social Development Organization, in partnership with ActionAid Nigeria, under the Strategic Partnership Agreement Phase II project, is playing its part in increasing the participation and skills of young people to thrive in a green economy. The International Labour Organization (ILO) projected that the green transition could create 8.4 million jobs for young individuals by 2030. To seize these opportunities, young people must be equipped with green skills to navigate the changing landscape effectively.

Recognizing the urgent need to address these issues, and in line with our commitment to empowering women and youths, SSDO commemorates International Youth Day 2023, tagged Green Skills for Youth: Towards a Sustainable World, with a 1-day symposium. Participants are now more knowledgeable about green skills and empowered to take action. Sessions covered waste management, recycling, agribusiness, agroecology, renewable energy, and using social media as an advocacy tool for sustainability.

Charting a New Course for the WASH Sector

Enugu State’s WASH Stakeholders paid a courtesy visit to the newly appointed Commissioner for Water Resources, Dr. Felix Nnamani. The delegation, led by WaterAid Nigeria, included South Saharan Social Development Organization, SSDO, and various CSOs.

The team used the opportunity to discuss and agree on a roadmap for partnership with the state government to deepen WASH service delivery in Enugu State. And shared insights into the team’s initiatives.

Key issues brought to the notice of the commissioner include:

• Implementation of the Enugu State Water Sector Law 2021.
• Declaring a state of emergency in the sanitation sector to fast-track the Open Defecation Free Vision 2025.
• Sustainability and strengthening of the WASH Sector Partnership Forum.

These and more were discussed during the meeting. Representing SSDO were the Head of Programs, Udochukwu Egwim, and the Finance and Admin Manager, Amaka Okoye. SSDO is committed to improving access to WASH facilities for residents of Enugu state.

SSDO, WaterAid Nigeria Commissions Ukwuinyi Water Scheme

In Nigeria, more than 60 million people do not have access to basic water supply. Over 12 million people lack access to toilet facilities. About 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. In Enugu, half of the state’s residents lack access to basic water services.

Understanding this challenge, South Saharan Social Development Organization, in partnership with WaterAid Nigeria through the Latter Day Saints Charity Project, has provided a 40,000-liter water scheme at Ukwuinyi community, Igbo-Eze North LGA, leveraging the kiosk model to ensure proper dissemination. This is part of the interventions under the second phase of the Strengthening Water and Sanitation Delivery Project.

The water scheme will help to reduce open defecation and keep Enugu on course to achieve an open defecation-free status by 2030. It will reduce the likelihood of waterborne diseases like cholera, diarrhea, and dysentery that the community suffers before the installation. And help community children focus more on their education as the distraction of going long distances to draw water has been eliminated.

SSDO Commemorates August Meeting in Three Communities in Enugu and Anambra State

The Mother’s Congress, popularly known as August Meeting in Igbo land, is a time when Igbo women from the cities and diaspora return to lend helping hands to their communities. They embark on projects to improve healthcare, peacebuilding, and educate the community.

To show solidarity in projecting and supporting the roles women play in family and community development, South Saharan Social Development Organization, through her Sister Guardian Initiative project, visited three communities to commemorate this year’s August meeting with them. They include; Ibutenze in Udi LGA, Awha Ndiagu in Ezeagu LGA in Enugu state and Omor in Ayamelu LGA in Anambra state.

SSDO Gender and Protection Programme Lead, Blessing Uchendu, and Jacob’s Well Project Officer, Stella Ani, built the capacity of the women on causes and effects of domestic violence against women and girls, how to report it, where to report it and how to follow it up. The team used the medium to create and intensify awareness of women’s rights and the law.

Other pressing issues discussed during the capacity-building event include economic empowerment, political inclusion, violence against women, female genital mutilation, and advocacy. The team also sensitized the women on how to leverage Jacob’s Well platform to grow their businesses. At the end of the training, the women were enlightened on handling issues around gender-based violence.

SSDO, ActionAid Works to Improve Education in Rural Communities

characterized by poor access to healthcare and education, lack of infrastructure, and low income levels. This affects their standard of living and quality of life, of which kids are the biggest victims.

Understanding this reality, South Saharan Social Development Organization, in partnership with ActionAid Nigeria through the Local Rights Programme, is doing its part to improve education in marginalized communities. The program aims to reduce poverty by increasing its engagement with the poor and marginalized in selected communities through its Child Sponsorship mechanisms. The child sponsorship initiative identifies vulnerable children aged 3 to 8 years and attaches them to sponsors.

Over the past collection period, the team collected over 740 child messages across eight communities. Our motivation is to see the children and the communities at large be all that they can be. This activity allowed the team to keep tabs on the kids and monitor their development process. As well as get feedback from the kids to the sponsors.

Enugu State 2022-2024 Budget Project Tracking and Monitoring Activities

Citizens must do more than just observe their government’s budgets; they must actively engage in budget tracking, particularly for community projects within these budgets. This proactive involvement empowers individuals, ensuring government accountability, transparent resource allocation, and community development ownership.

Following the budget tracking and monitoring training conducted under the Strategic Partnership Agreement Project II, the youths have identified key capital projects in the Enugu state 2022 – 2024 budget earmarked for their respective LGAs (Aninri, Enugu South, Igbo-Eze North, and Isi-Uzo). The youths who are members of the Community Accountability Committees from the four LGAs have embarked on the capital project monitoring and successfully identified these projects and their current states.

Enugu 2022-2024 Budget Town Hall Meetings

The goals of the Strategic Partnership Agreement Phase II include engaging youth groups in demanding socially responsible gender-responsive public services, enhancing youth resilience and their role in crisis response, influencing policy and legislation through evidence-based advocacy, leading collective actions to reduce vulnerabilities and build resilience.

After the Community Accountability Committees completed the project tracking and monitoring, they proceeded to present their findings to their various LGAs in a town hall meeting. South Saharan Social Development Organization, in partnership with ActionAid Nigeria, organized a 1-day Community Engagement for Inclusive Development Town Hall Meetings in each community, aimed at fostering dialogue and collaboration among stakeholders in the four communities.

The town hall meetings were an avenue for:

1. The committees to present and discuss the findings from the youth-led budget tracking/monitoring assessment.
2. The committees to engage in dialogue with community and government stakeholders to determine the way forward based on the assessment results.
3. The SSDO team to conduct a community needs assessment to identify priority projects for inclusion in the next budget cycle.
4. The committees to document and present the meeting outcomes as an advocacy brief to the respective Local Government Areas (LGAs), Enugu State Ministry of Budget and Planning, and the Enugu State Economic Planning Commission.

Empowering Communities Through Effective Monitoring

Monitoring and evaluation is critical to the success of any intervention. It helps improve evidence-based decision-making, improved performance, better resource allocation, quality assurance, real-time learning, and long-term sustainability.

Understanding this need, South Saharan Social Development Organization, in partnership with ActionAid Nigeria, conducted monitoring and evaluation visits to various project sites under the Local Rights Programme to ascertain the level of progress made on the project. The monitoring evaluated the progress of the women’s peer education groups, GBV response teams, agroecology training, and the impact of child message collection in the target communities.

The GBV response teams have solved over five cases since their inception. This includes cases of child abuse, land disputes, and gender-based violence cases. The child message collection activities have empowered kids with water bottles, food flasks, writing materials, and desks. This improved the kids’ learning environment and outcome. A teacher told the team, “The children are excited about the writing materials and desks. They come to school earlier. Those who don’t come often now come regularly.” The team also held a community stakeholder meeting to finalize on the construction of more desks in Ihenyi community

What’s Changing?

Logo: Our new logo embodies our vision for the future. It depicts humans and leaves. The human is depicted thrice to represent a family and an emphasis on SSDO’s cross-cutting intervention across women, youth, and children. The leaf represents healthy growth, productivity, and our unwavering dedication to improving the quality of life of our bene ciaries.

Why the Change?

Our rebranding isn’t just about a new look; it’s a rehection of our commitment to innovation, excellence, and staying aligned with the evolving needs of our industry. As we embark on this exciting chapter, we want our brand to inspire confidence and excitement for what lies ahead.

Since the development of our strategic plan, there’s been a need to redesign the organization’s brand identity to suit the priorities of the strategy document.” – Dr. Stanley Ilechukwu (Executive Director)

Brand Promise

To be distinct through exceptional service delivery, advocacy, policy reform, and adding value to the lives of bene ciaries through sensitization and capacity building. We will leverage community platforms and structures to give a voice to the marginalized, economically empower the poor, seek accountable governance, advocate for people-centered policies, and improve public services in Nigeria. To be the donor’s voice and true representative in the local communities where projects are being executed, leveraging technology for maximal impact.

Christian is a farmer and proud father of three children who lives in Aninri. He works tirelessly, cultivating the land and selling the farm products to support his family. The town is a farming community and serves as the main source of Christian’s family income.

However, his life took an unexpected turn when he contracted tuberculosis. This debilitating illness brought everything to a halt, leaving him unable to carry out even the simplest tasks without assistance. He was confined to the bed for several months, plagued by symptoms such as rapid breathing, persistent coughing, and constant dizziness.

“I am the breadwinner of my family. But when the illness started, I couldn’t take care of my kids anymore. It was a challenging time for me and my loved ones.”, he shared. Christian’s health further deteriorated, and he was always feeling tired and struggled with weight loss. “At a point, I couldn’t recognize people. It was so bad, I thought I had lost my sight.”, he said. He couldn’t go to the farm anymore, and his wife, who works in Benue, had to step in as the breadwinner to support the family.

He also had a major concern that restrained him from going to the hospital: the financial implications on his household. “I worried that if I went to the hospital, I

wouldn’t be able to afford the transportation cost required to visit the clinic frequently. Christian’s fear is one reason why many tuberculosis patients wallow in silence.

“Fortunately, during my darkest hours, the TBLS (Tuberculosis LGA Supervisors) from our local government visited me. Witnessing the severity of my condition, she immediately stepped in to assist my family in transporting me to the hospital for prompt medical attention. It was a turning point in my journey toward recovery.”

South Saharan Social Development Organization, in partnership with Association for Reproductive and Family Health (ARFH) and the Enugu State Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Unit with funding from Global Fund, identified the tuberculosis hotspots in the state and is responding by linking patients to care. The project supports DR-TB patients on their road to recovery by providing adherence counseling and supporting project beneficiaries financially.

This way, beneficiaries adhere to treatment and don’t miss the Out Patient Department (OPD) clinic. The initiative also provides on-site training to treatment supporters and executes routine household visits to beneficiaries to ensure adherence.

This support played a crucial role in aiding Christian’s recovery. “Recognizing the challenges I faced in accessing healthcare and adhering to treatment, SSDO extended its support by providing a monthly transport allowance. This allowance helped cover transportation costs to and from the clinic, ensuring that I could attend my outpatient department (OPD) visits without any financial We understand that tuberculosis beneficiaries need support systems on the journey to recovery. The project went above and beyond by providing transport allowance to my dedicated treatment supporter. This enabled the treatment supporter to accompany him during medical appointments and assist him in adhering to his medication regimen.

“Their presence, encouragement, and emotional support played a vital role in this challenging period of my life, and SSDO’s assistance ensured that they could fulfill this role effectively.”, Christian further elucidated.

Since commencing treatment in September and faithfully adhering to prescribed medications, Christian’s health has improved significantly. He has regained his strength and independence with his treatment supporter’s unwavering support and encouragement, who ensures he takes his medications regularly. Now, he can walk and has resumed farming activities.

“I can once again venture out to the farm, engaging in the work I love so much. The constant struggle with rapid breathing and persistent coughing has subsided, allowing me to resume my normal activities without needing constant assistance.”

“I also no longer struggle to recognize people. I am glad I didn’t lose my sight. Farming would have been impossible.” Christian can now cater to his family’s needs as he once did. Thus improving their socioeconomic status.

“I am deeply grateful for the financial assistance provided by SSDO which has helped cover the costs of transportation for my visits to the clinic for outpatient department (OPD) visits.”

Christian’s journey to overcome tuberculosis has been arduous, but thanks to the collective efforts of the TBLS, his treatment supporter, and the psychosocial support from SSDO, he is gradually reclaiming his life and pursuing his passion for farming.

“I am filled with hope for the future, knowing that I have a strong support system backing me every step of the way.”

SSDO NEWSLETTER, VOLUME 7, ISSUE 2

Happy new month, and welcome to the second half of the year.

It is with great pleasure that we bring you the latest edition of our newsletter, highlighting our ongoing efforts to promote good governance and improve the quality of education across all strata in Southeast Nigeria. We firmly believe that a foundation of good governance is essential for sustainable development. Therefore, we actively engage with local communities, government institutions, and other stakeholders to create an environment of transparency, accountability, and citizen participation.

We would like to express our deepest gratitude to our dedicated team, partners, donors, and stakeholders whose unwavering support makes our work possible. Together, we are making a tangible difference in the lives of individuals and communities in Southeast Nigeria.

In this newsletter, we invite you to delve into the inspiring stories of change, learn about the impact of our projects, and discover ways to get involved. Your support, whether through donations, volunteering, or spreading awareness, enables us to expand our reach and create a brighter future for all.

African Sanitation Policy Guidelines (ASPG) Project Launch

South Saharan Social Development Organization, in partnership with WaterAid Nigeria, began the implementation of the African Sanitation Policy Guidelines The project will focus on improving sanitation and hygiene practices through policies, advocacy, and collaboration with other stakeholders. Prior to the launch, the project lead, Udochukwu Egwim, conducted advocacy visits to stakeholders to brief them about the project’s goals for the sanitation sector and get their buy-in.

The project was officially launched on the 23rd of March, 2023 and offered a unique opportunity to enlighten stakeholders, raise media awareness, and iterate a suitable implementation strategy across the state. Stakeholders and dignitaries present include the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Emmanuel Obi, Commissioner for Rural Development, Dr. Kingsley Udeh, Special Adviser to the Enugu State Governor on Water Resources, Hon. Dubem Onyia, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Environment, The STU Coordinator, representatives of ENRUWASSA, civil society organizations, the media among others.

The Fight Against Gender Imbalance and Land Grabbing: Alice’s Story

Disinheritance of landed properties is one of the most prevalent forms of gender- based violence (GBV) in the southeast and has affected many widows across the region. The inability of women to access these landed properties due to cultural norms in a patriarchal society has led to abuse, trauma, and impoverishment.

The SGI chapter in Ihenyi community, Isi-Uzo LGA, Enugu, recently helped a widow, Ogbuebor Alice, reclaim her land after much tussle with her husband’s brother. The Gender Protection Lead for SSDO, Blessing Uchendu, spoke about the intervention by the SGI. Blessing recalled, “The land tussle started over thirty years ago when Alice’s husband passed on and her kids were still little. Her husband’s brother laid claim over the piece of land as the rightful owner as opposed to the norm, which was supposed to be Alice’s kids.”

Children’s Day Commemoration at Ameke, Ihenyi, and Orokoro Communities

South Saharan Social Development Organization, in partnership with ActionAid Nigeria, commemorated this year’s event, themed “Celebrating Creativity – The Power of Imagination”, by organizing community outreaches to Ihenyi and Orokoro communities in Isi-Uzo LGA and Ameke community in Aninri LGA. Stakeholders present include the LGA representative, President-General. Youth community leaders, parents, and teachers.

The children were educated about their rights and encouraged to report any incidents of abuse. Parents were urged to remain vigilant, especially when children exhibited withdrawal signs or complain about abuse-related issues. The LRP program officer educated the children and parents on the importance of practising good hygiene behaviours and spoke about good environmental hygiene. The children participated in a marching parade, quiz competition, sack race, dance competition and a cultural display.

The team also used the medium to sensitize parents and children on the importance of keeping a clean environment in line with World Environment Day. In a participatory approach, participants identified environmental issues affecting the community. Everyone vowed to keep their environment clean and avoid open defecation, littering, and indiscriminate waste disposal.

Enugu WASH Policy Review

South Saharan Social Development Organization, in partnership with WaterAid Nigeria and other stakeholders, commenced the review of the Enugu State WASH Policy document to reflect the changes in the state following the restructuring of the Enugu state water sector.

The team used the African Sanitation Policy Guidelines to power the review process. Participants include representatives of the Small Town Unit of the Enugu State Ministry of Water Resources, Water Corporation, ENRUWASSA, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Gender, Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Economic Planning Commission, Ministry of Education, GHARF, and NEWSAN.

The review of the WASH policy is an important step towards ensuring that the state’s water and sanitation sector is aligned with current realities and best practices. As we work towards reviewing and refining the state’s WASH policy, we remain committed to promoting sustainable solutions that will have a lasting impact on the lives of individuals and families.

Budget Monitoring and Tracking Training

South Saharan Social Development Organization, in partnership with ActionAid Nigeria, organized a 2-day capacity building on Budget monitoring and tracking under the Strategic Partnership Agreement Phase II project in Enugu State.

This training equipped participants with the relevant knowledge needed to follow budget proceedings in a more proactive rather than a reactive manner. Youths were empowered on the best approaches for evidence-based advocacy and community engagement at various levels.

The training was facilitated by ActionAid’s Governance Manager, Celestine Odo, Youth Development and Governance Expert, Nebo Collins, and Public Affairs Analyst, Wilfred Okeke. It covered topics such as public budget and budget process, identifying youth-focused expenditures, budget advocacy and strategy, budget analysis, and skills among others. Participants were engaged using a combination of lectures, interactive sessions, and group discussions. They also developed fact sheets and policy briefs, which will be used to drive advocacy campaigns subsequently.

The Potency of Community Triggering in Ending Open Defecation

Over 47 million Nigerians still practice open defecation (OD), and Enugu state is not exempted as about 47 percent of the populace still practice open defecation. This is a pointer to the lack of proper toilet infrastructure and water facilities, especially in rural communities.

Understanding this challenge and looking to ensure its eradication, South Saharan Social Development Organization, in partnership with WaterAid Nigeria and the Enugu State Ministry of Water Resources, Small Town Units, and the Igbo-Eze North LGA WASH Unit, organized a Community Triggering Event on Ending Open Defecation in Mboshi, Aji community, Igbo Eze North LGA. Participants include community leaders, women leaders, and community members.

The community members were engaged using the Defecation Area Map (DAM) triggering method. Participants were asked to draw their community map and highlight important landmarks. They then identified their houses on the maps with cardboard. Community members without toilets were asked to identify on the map with sawdust where they defecate. .

SSDO, ActionAid Organizes Fun Activities for Kids in Nkume Community

School-age children learn through creative activities like music, visual arts, dance, drama, storytelling, and sports. Creative arts and sports activities engage children across all cognitive, language, social, emotional, and physical domains. It helps improve their motor skills, build emotional intelligence, and stimulates creativity and problem-solving.

Understanding this, South Saharan Social Development Organization, in partnership with ActionAid Nigeria under the Local Rights Programme, organized fun activities for kids to promote physical health and well-being for children in Nkume community. For maximum participation, the kids choose the activities they want to engage in.

The children participated in football, running games, egg-spoon, ball toss, freeze tag, and dancing competitions for the children. The activities helped the kids bond better and improved the kids’ team spirit.

Heineken Africa Foundation (HAF) Phase III Project Closeout

The project complemented the results of the first and second phases to drive hygiene promotion in response to COVID-19 using a behaviour-centered design approach leveraging the mass media, advocacy, and community-based approach to reach its target audience. As well as advocating for Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) prioritization.

The project successfully installed five handwashing facilities in schools across the state, established health clubs in 30 schools, and organized sensitization programs, radio and TV jingles, and a hygiene behavior campaign in Igbo-Eze North LGA that reached over 5,000 people. Certificates and awards were presented to the following stakeholders: Nigeria Breweries, JONAPWD, GHARF, Heroine Women Foundation, Ministry of Water Resources, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education, and the Igbo Eze North LGA WASH unit.

SSDO, ActionAid Empowers Farmers Through Agroecology Training

South Saharan Social Development Organization, in partnership with ActionAid Nigeria, through the Local Rights Programme and Strategic Partnership Agreement Phase II organized agroecology training and established model farms in four communities in Enugu state.

The training conducted enabled farmers to embrace sustainable practices, decrease reliance on harmful inputs, augment yields, and ultimately improve their incomes. This, in turn, paves the way for enhanced food security, improved rural livelihoods, and a more sustainable future for farming in the community.

Women’s Peer Education Training

Through years of working on projects at the community level, we realize that women and girls are hugely disadvantaged. They have often been marginalized and segregated to the background on so many fronts in society. One of the primary reasons for marginalization is the inequality between men and women in accessing and controlling resources.

Understanding this, South Saharan Social Development Organization, in partnership with ActionAid Nigeria, organized a women’s peer education training in Igga community, Uzo Uwani LGA. The program seeks to foster women’s empowerment through peer education. This initiative aims to advocate for women’s rights and bridge women’s capacity deficiency at the community level.

The three-day training was facilitated by the project lead, Priye West, and SSDO’s Gender Officer, Blessing Uchendu. The training was executed using the Women Peer Education Resource Kit. It covered essential areas such as personal development, health, livelihood and survival, and inclusion. The women were taught the importance of body image, self-esteem, time management, hygiene, skill acquisition, and the dangers of gender-based violence. After the training, the women were better aware of their rights, and the group elected a President.

Tackling Open Defecation Through Policy Implementation

South Saharan Social Development Organization, SSDO, in partnership with WaterAid Nigeria, under the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation project organized a 2-day Sanitation Advocacy Workshop to tackle open defecation. The workshop targeted six communities, precisely two communities per Local Government Area (Igbo Eze North, Nsukka and Udenu) in the Enugu North Senatorial zone of the state.

The workshop’s primary objective was to empower the communities and local government authorities (LGAs) to develop and implement an Anti-Open Defecation by-law to end open defecation in their communities. The workshop had a community- led approach and had leaders of the legislative council, president generals, women and youth leaders, WASH coordinators, and CSO partners in attendance.

Participants were enlightened on the pivotal role of community-led sanitation and hygiene initiatives, gaining insights into the historical evolution of sanitation practices in Enugu metropolis. Key concepts such as Community-Led Total Sanitation and Sanitation Marketing were elucidated, and the participating communities drafted their by-laws and accompanying action plans to guide future endeavors.

The Jostle for Earth’s Most Precious Resource

Land is one of the most fiercely contested resources in the world over. And Nigeria isn’t any different. This resource has constantly been a cause for dispute and conflicts nationwide. Lands are a source of livelihood, survival and wealth creation, hence the constant need to acquire and possess. At the community level, it is a source of socioeconomic empowerment and carries some form of identity and symbolic association with family lineage.

In the South West, we often see disputes between land grabbers, communities, and supposed private individuals who have purchased these properties. Up North and the southeast, there are clashes between farmers and herders who compete for the earth’s resources to fuel their livelihood. But beyond the farmer-herder clash in the southeast, there is also the challenge of erosion, which further exacerbates land scarcity and reduces arable land.

Gender Imbalance and Disparity

However, more pressing is the effect of cultural norms and practices, which places women at a disadvantage when it comes to land usage and ownership.

Disinheritance of landed properties is one of the most prevalent forms of gender- based violence (GBV) in the southeast and has affected many widows across the region. The inability of women to access these landed properties due to cultural norms in a patriarchal society has led to abuse, trauma, and impoverishment.

Women in rural areas in Southeast Nigeria, who comprise over 67 percent of the region’s labor for subsistence and commercial agriculture, depend on the indigenous lands to sustain their livelihood, despite owning only about 10 percent of the land.

This shows a huge gender imbalance and disparity in land ownership in the southeast.

Research from USAID shows that gendered power imbalances affect women’s ability to access, use, control and benefit from land. This reality limits women’s economic empowerment and perpetuates poverty. For rural communities, discrimination can be even more pronounced, meaning they have even fewer rights and less access to

land than their male counterparts.

Ignorance of the Law, a Punishment for Rural Women?

Nigeria has legal mechanisms in place to protect the rights of these women, like the Nigerian Marriage Act and the Nigerian Administration of Estate Act, which guarantee

“Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance.… ” – Martin

Luther King Jr.

Their absence from decision-making spaces like the traditional ruling councils where land disputes are first adjudicated and the absence of land activists to advocate for their rights limits access to these resources.

SSDO’S Impact

Understanding how these factors affect women in rural communities, South Saharan Social Development Organization, SSDO, is raising awareness about women’s rights to own landed properties and helping them seek redress on land grabbing

through the Sister Guardian Initiative in communities across the southeast. The Sister Guardian Initiative (SGI) is SSDO’s flagship on reducing violence against women at the community level. The SSDO-funded project institutes community- based women groups -SGI Chapters, to advocate against GBV and provide

immediate survivor-centered support to survivors through counselling, temporary shelters, and referrals.

The program also builds the capacity of law enforcement and health officials to respond to GBV cases according to international best practices; and support traditional leaders to institutionalize by-laws against GBV. It is currently being implemented in 19 communities in Enugu and Anambra states.

The Sister Guardian Initiative is playing its part in changing the narrative, one community at a time. So far, the SGI has supported over 3,000 women, ensured the inclusion of women in the traditional ruling council of six communities and successfully introduced by-laws criminalizing GBV in four communities.

Helping Alice Recover Her Land

The SGI chapter in Ihenyi community, Isi-Uzo LGA, Enugu, recently helped a widow, Ogbuebor Alice, reclaim her land after much tussle with her husband’s brother. The Gender Protection Lead for SSDO, Blessing Uchendu, spoke about the intervention by the SGI. Blessing recalled, “The land tussle started over thirty years ago when

Alice’s husband passed on and her kids were still little. Her husband’s brother laid claim over the piece of land as the rightful owner as opposed to the norm, which was supposed to be Alice’s kids.”reported the case, and the group mediated. Only for the uncle to return this year and dispose them off the land.

“The case was reported to me that Alice’s husband’s brother was back making an ownership claim of the parcel of land. The SGI intervened again but, this time, swiftly moved the case to the Igwe’s cabinet for further adjudication. Members of the Igwe’s cabinet then divided the land equally among both parties, but he still went back on the decision and took the land for himself.”

Ogbuebor Emeka, Alice’s younger son, shares more insight. “In the scuffle for the

land, he arrested me and put me behind bars for three days until my family met the bail conditions. He threatened us never to set foot on the land again.”

Blessing Uchendu confirmed that after many threats, the case was charged to the court. “On the first hearing, Alice’s husband’s brother didn’t show up, and the case was adjourned. On the second hearing, he still didn’t show up, and the court dismissed the case.” Alice and her family can now resume farming activities to guarantee their livelihood courtesy of the SGI intervention. Many women still suffer from discriminatory norms, ignorance of their rights, as well as from power imbalances in the community. SSDO is ever committed to reducing gender imbalances