MANY FIRST TIMES

A presence that builds trust and brings solutions for people's lives, breaks the vicious circle of misery step by step.
And a community becomes more and more aware and capable of managing a reality made up of many things at the service of anyone and everyone. 

Project active since 2007, and to continue

There is always a first time. For the inhabitants of N'tchangue, 40 Km from the capital, for example, it was to go to a dispensary, right in their village.

Which has been always and until recently without a healthcare facility where it is possible to carry out visits, medications, consultations on malaria and other endemic diseases, vaccinations, examinations during and after pregnancy, to have assistance in case of difficulty in childbirth and help with the transfer with any mean to the nearest hospital (40 Km) in case of complications. The situation was very difficult but usual for Guinea Bissau, a small African country once a Portuguese outpost - several colonizers, several Guinee, who had to incorporate that of their capital into the Bissau name to distinguish among themselves - and then from independence and still shaken by many political turmoils, which contribute to leave life, especially in rural areas, in immobility, and to place itself as the fourth poorest country in the world.

CREATING AUTONOMY

The vicious circle of misery can, however, be broken. For several months every year, the volunteers of the Abala Lite Onlus Association visit the area - 'how are you?' in the Balanta language. Bringing news from time to time. However, nothing can be done without the consent and active contribution of the local community: a patient, exciting work. Since then, we have always been by their side, sharing many technical skills - even with the intervention in the field of expert friends who have been able from time to time to identify and develop the most suitable solutions and tools for the achievements: photovoltaic equipments, pumps, school materials, sewing workshops, computer rooms for secondary schools…

The method is to propose new things through the example coming from the direct action of the volunteers. People, especially women, always the most attentive and propulsive, look at work and its results, appreciate, and want to emulate.

With suitable educational interventions, involvement in the management of innovative initiatives is promoted in terms of cultivated varieties and cultivation techniques: first vegetable gardens, fish farming in small lagoons adapted to the purpose, then fruit growing, then commercial cultures such as cashew ( cajù), organizing market opportunities for the product. The next step is to form an association of farmers to manage the activities and organize a non-occasional sales network, set up a cash fund for the purchase of seeds, tools, pesticides and whatever else is needed for a good agricultural practice. The role of the volunteers is to create authentic and full autonomy.

Continuity of action is also ensured by the involvement of the Franciscan Mission; thus extending the scope of action to it, as well as to its village, hospital, school, to the increasingly articulated network with other associations and authorities in the area.

BUILDING AND TRAINING

The next step was water: to finally be able to count on safe water for human consumption, and to efficiently irrigate the cultivated areas. Year after year, with new wells, and restoring others that have been inactive for years; equipping them with tanks to store reserves, photovoltaic pumps and panels to power them - together with the lighting of various structures, schools and the Cumura Hospital. Here too, the expert friends who attended took care of a scrupulous training: from the use and maintenance of the systems for local technicians, to the use and conservation of water in hygienic and healthy conditions, for all families - with the help of the apparatus for self-production of sodium hypochlorite.

The school is then restructured all together, to give dignity to those who work there and those who attend it; and also the teaching that is practiced there with new didactic tools, and a library. The kitchen is built, learning how to organize it around a better diet for children by making better use of local resources.

School that also becomes the embryo of an upcoming agricultural school, to become more and more aware and capable of managing a reality made up of many things at the service of anyone and everyone.

Just like the new dispensary, built together and run by a Franciscan sister. Meanwhile, for years some doctors and other health personnel have been welcomed in the Biella hospital for fundamental training periods.

Steps of development can be directly felt, they spread, they take shape. Now we are also working together on techniques and tools for the preservation of food: vegetables, fish ... now that the issue finally arises!

The news has brought change, and it is there for all to see. Even those of the neighboring villages… and they are waiting for us!

Associazione Sermig Re.Te. per lo Sviluppo – Arsenale della Pace, Piazza Borgo Dora 61 Torino

IBAN: IT29  P030 6909 6061 0000 0001 481   Banca Intesa SanPaolo