Project seeks to rebuild trust, shared communal values, cohesion and peaceful coexistence
The Centre for Community Development and Research Network CCDRN, has officially flagged off its Cash for Work initiative in Burimari ward of Nganzai Local Government Area, Borno state, Northeast Nigeria.
The project which is primarily aimed at to engage 100 young people as paid volunteers in clearing dangerous vegetation and environmental sanitation in Burimari ward of Nganzai LGA also has a latent objective, which is to encourage community service, build lost trust, community bond and peaceful coexistence.
A cross section of Burimari youth during cash for work flag off in Gajiram. Photo: CCDRN
Sponsored by North East Regional Initiative, NERI Nigeria, the initiative also seeks to improve livelihood options for targeted youth towards building relationship and credibility for future engagement with the community.
The project also offer positive pathway for vulnerable individuals who are expected to capitalize on the cash provision from the project to improve their economic wellbeing.
Officially billed to be implemented in Burimari, the project was however, moved to Gajiram ward of Nganzai LGA.
Burimari is one of the communities in Nganzai LGA about 20kms away from the headquarters (Gajiram) where residents are just returning from displacement by insurgents, majority of the of people returned as a result of various activities conducted by NERI and other INGOs.
Speaking during the kick off ceremony of the project, community stakeholders welcomed the idea and encouraged the targeted youth to use the opportunity wisely and be dedicated to the activity through it duration.
A beneficiary of the project, 20-year old Ba Ali Gana, expressed optimism that the initiative beyond helping to keep their communities clean would also improve his economic wellbeing. “I am very
Community stakeholders flagging off community cleaning activity
happy about this. Apart from the fact that this will help us to work together as a community, it is an opportunity for us to keep our environment clean and the money that will come from this, I intend to start a little trade to help my family” he said.
In the same vein, another beneficiary who spoke in Kanuri through a translator noted that the initiative will create bond among them and engendered the much needed peace among community members. “If we come together like this to do this, we are encouraging the spirit of oneness and that was how it was in the days of our forefathers” says 30-year old Bukaram Sharu. “ it is not mostly about the money, though we need that too but it is about coming together to do things as one and we thank you people for bringing this to us” she adds
