Happy New Year!

As we step into the promising dawn of a new year, South Saharan Social

Development Organization (SSDO) extends heartfelt gratitude for your continued support in our mission to make development happen for women, youth, and children through good governance and education. As we reflect on the transformative year that was, we are thrilled to share a glimpse into the profound impact of our initiatives in our latest quarterly newsletter.

Throughout 2023, SSDO, in collaboration with our esteemed partners, ActionAid Nigeria, WaterAid Nigeria, and Latter Day Saints Charity, spearheaded a range of projects addressing crucial aspects of community development. From empowering women through peer education to revolutionizing agriculture with agroecology, our endeavors have touched the lives of individuals and communities, fostering resilience, sustainability, and empowerment.

This newsletter encapsulates the stories of empowerment, resilience, and progress that unfolded in Enugu state. As we delve into the narratives of empowered women, thriving businesses, improved education infrastructure, and sustainable health

initiatives, we hope this newsletter serves as a testament to the collective impact we have achieved. Together, we are rewriting the narrative of communities, ensuring a future where equality, justice, and opportunity are accessible to all.

Thank you for being an integral part of our journey. We look forward to another year of collaboration, resilience, and positive change.

Commemoration of the International Day of the Girl Child 2023

The International Day of the Girl Child is a global observance dedicated to highlighting the challenges faced by girls worldwide and promoting their empowerment and rights. This year’s theme is “Digital Generation; Our Generation” emphasizing the role of digital technology in empowering and shaping the lives of

The event commenced with a debate on the Pros and Cons of Internet Usage for Schoolchildren. The girls engaged in a meaningful discussion that encouraged them to think critically and make informed decisions when navigating the digital world. Dr. Celestina Aga, Director, Enugu State Ministry of Agriculture, led the session on climate change and educated the pupils on climate change adaptation through agroecology.

Following the climate change session, an environmental health club was inaugurated. The team then proceeded to conduct a tree-planting exercise. The girls were provided with a three-month supply of sanitary pads to help ensure they continued their education without disruptions. Barrister Ubok Ameh facilitated a career talk session highlighting the vast possibilities and opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Transformative Empowerment: A Tale of Resilience and Progress

This piece delves into the poignant narrative of a community grappling with the multifaceted impact of poverty on its women. It unfolds the pressing need for empowerment, as the women yearned for opportunities that would break the shackles of financial deprivation and dismantle the barriers restricting their potential.

In the face of these challenges, the community found an unexpected ally in South Saharan Social Development Organization, SSDO, an organization that became a beacon of hope, introducing the transformative Sister Guardian Initiative and Economic Empowerment. This is a tale of dreams taking flight, a community transcending adversity, and the remarkable journey toward empowerment that has forever altered the landscape of the community.

“In our community, women are not given land to farm like the men. This was a huge challenge to my goal of becoming a rice farmer. And this worsened an already dire

Stakeholders present include Hon. Commissioner of the Ministry of Water Resources, Health, Education, and Gender, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Donor Relations, the Chairperson of the House Committee on Water Resources, the Special Adviser of Enugu State Water Corporation, the Executive Chairman of Igbo Eze North LGA, and the Executive Chairman of Enugu State Universal Basic Education Board, and representatives from Joint Association of People with Disability (JONAPWD).

The project was officially launched on the 14th of November 2023, and offered a unique opportunity to enlighten stakeholders, raise media awareness, and develop a suitable implementation strategy across the state. This was also a medium for public stakeholders to reemphasize the government’s commitment to initiate the provision of potable water in the first 180 days in office.

leveraging avenues to improve socioeconomic and human rights benefits for our project beneficiaries.

To this end, South Saharan Social Development Organization, SSDO, is expanding the Sister Guardian Initiative, SGI, to SGI-Plus. This new initiative will pursue additional rights issues affecting women at the community level, as we understand that for behavioral change to be effective it must be holistic. The Sister Guardians at the community level will identify, prioritize, and advocate to public and private partners for resolution.

While not neglecting the importance of a livelihood component from which women draw income to pursue their social transformative interventions, the SGI-Plus will introduce the Village Savings and Loans Association, VSLA, component to achieve this aim. The SGI-Plus will kickstart in nine communities in Enugu state and will scale up from there.

On the 12th of December, SSDO organized a workshop to unveil and introduce SGI- Plus to the Sister Guardian executives and communities. The workshop was an avenue for the SGI executives to give a progress report. They were tasked to identify three most pressing problems in their communities that will be tackled going forward. This participatory measure will guarantee a human rights-based approach and form the crux of issues that will be addressed.

Building the Climate Capacity of Communities in Enugu State

Climate change is a pressing global issue that particularly endangers the well-being of individuals worldwide, particularly women and youth. Today, young people face consistent exposure to the consequences of climate change, which makes them vulnerable due to factors like limited ownership of productive assets, unemployment, and various other challenges.

To address these knowledge gaps and empower the youth and communities in Enugu State, South Saharan Social Development Organization, in partnership with ActionAid Nigeria under the Strategic Partnership Agreement II Project, organized a one-day Capacity Building Workshop in Oduma Achara in Aninri LGA and Umuogili in Igbo Eze North LGA, Enugu state.

Recognizing the global importance of engaging youth in the fight against climate change, both in policymaking and implementation, the training equipped participants with insights into the impact of climate change on the livelihoods of young people in these regions. It also empowered youths for climate action, fostered local solutions and engagement, and identified mitigation and adaptation measures.

SSDO, ActionAid Presents Thirty Desks to Three Schools in Enugu State

victims are children. Unfortunately, many public primary schools in rural communities of Enugu State lack sufficient classroom furniture, forcing students to sit on the floor or share limited seating arrangements. This situation hampers students’ ability to concentrate, participate actively, and achieve their full potential.

Understanding this need, 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 project provided ten 6- seater desks each for Igga Community Primary School, Uzo-Uwani LGA, Unity Community Primary School, Ameke-Ani, Ani-nri LGA and Ihenyi Community Primary School, Isi-Uzo LGA.

In a ceremony on the school premises on Thursday, 2nd of November 2023, the Igga Community Primary School headmaster expressed his gratitude by thanking the organizations for their effort. “We extend our heartfelt appreciation for the desk delivery. Previously, 35 students had to share 10-15 single desks or two or three desks, severely impacting their learning experiences. The scarcity created intense competition among students, hindering educational progress. We anticipate a significant enhancement in the school’s educational quality and expect increased student retention.”

Empowering Women Through Peer Education

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 progress made on the project. The monitoring evaluated the progress of the women’s peer education groups.

The impact of the women peer education group was analyzed using the women’s peer resource checklist. The women have adopted new sanitation practices, they are more aware of the effects of child marriage, and more women are now included in decision-making processes at the community level. The women have successfully integrated the women peer education teachings to their women’s monthly village meetings thus reaching more women.

One woman happily shared, “I learned personal hygiene, and I am grateful for this meeting. Before now, I wear my farm cloth for days because I believed that it’s work cloth. At times I can wear it for a week with all the dirt and sweat on it, even when I come back from work I don’t bathe in the night. I noticed I used to have rashes and I always get angry, my body was always peppering me, and I hardly sleep well at night. But after these lessons, I started bathing two times a day and washing my clothes every day, the rashes stopped appearing, I am more relaxed because I am sleeping better and my life is better in general.”

World Toilet Day

World Toilet Day is recognized worldwide as a day to raise awareness about sanitation and hygiene and to advocate for an Open Defecation-Free society. This year’s theme, “Accelerate Change,” underscores the journey towards achieving SDG 6 – Clean Water and Sanitation for everyone.

To mark World Toilet Day 2023, South Saharan Social Development Organization (SSDO), in partnership with WaterAid Nigeria, constructed and officially launched male and female WET toilets at Community Primary School (CPS) Ukwuinyi, Igbo Eze North LGA, Enugu State. Other stakeholders that facilitated the development include Enugu State Universal Basic Education Board (ENSUBEB), Enugu State Ministry of Water Resources (STU), and Igbo Eze North LGA WASH unit.

Additionally, hygiene behavioral change exercises were conducted for pupils and teachers helping to reduce risk factors and promote healthy behaviors and practices. The pupils were taught the six critical times to wash their hands, alongside the techniques for handwashing among other things. Community stakeholders thanked the project partners for the intervention and promised to manage the facility properly.

“I want to thank WaterAid and other partners. This project will be very beneficial to the children. It will help eliminate the dangers associated with defecating in the bush. The kids will also be able to wash their hands more frequently, thus improving their hygiene,” a community elder shared.

SSDO Working on the Frontline to Eliminate Violence Against Women

In our society, cultural beliefs often perpetuate barriers that treat women as unequal to their male counterparts. These norms and practices have created a gap that subjects women to unending violence. Recent times have exacerbated risk factors for Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG). Issues such as food shortages, unemployment, economic insecurity, and social unrest have contributed to an alarming increase in various forms of violence.

We recognize the urgency to address these challenges and work collectively to eliminate gender-based violence. To commemorate the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and contribute its quota to eliminating gender-based violence, South Saharan Social Development Organization, through its Sister Guardian Initiative, organized a workshop in Eke community, Udi LGA, to sensitize stakeholders and the community at large on GBV, including how to prevent and report it.

The event seeks to address and dismantle these harmful cultural norms, hence the need to involve key community figures such as the traditional ruler, President Generals, SGI chapter members, community members, the police, religious leaders, security outfits, and town union leaders. This will help guarantee sustainable

SSDO, WaterAid Nigeria Organizes 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, ActionAid Organizes Climate Advocacy Forum

The Enugu State Multi-Year Budget for 2022-2024 allocates funds for Agricultural and Climate initiatives within the State Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Environment, and the State Forestry Commission’s 2022 budget. These provisions cover diverse activities, with a specific focus on Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation. This includes planting teak tree seedlings in forest reserves, planting economic trees to combat climate change, and upgrading the Akwuke water scheme.

Understanding this South Saharan Social Development Organization in partnership with ActionAid Nigeria under the Strategic Partnership Agreement II organized a climate advocacy forum bringing together key climate stakeholders from relevant government ministries, development partners, and private partners. The forum’s aim was to evaluate climate-related projects allocated in the Enugu State 2022 budget and assess their implementation and overall effectiveness.

The forum was an opportunity for stakeholders to assess the state’s dedication to climate change using specific parameters. Participants also identified challenges the state had to fix as well as proffered action plans that included partnership with climate change decision-makers. The findings from this assessment will be utilized in the creation of scorecards, with the overarching goal of improving the quality of the state’s budget planning process and pro-activeness to climate change matters.

For any project to be successful, beneficiaries must be fully involved from the planning phase through implementation, and feedback gotten even after project execution. This participatory approach helps to build trust, sustainability, and real- time learning. It guarantees evidence-based decision-making and ensures better resource allocation.

Understanding the importance of a good feedback mechanism, South Saharan Social Development Organization in partnership with WaterAid Nigeria conducted a Community voices event across project communities in Enugu state. This event helped gather the perspectives, opinions, and experiences of community members on the impact of project activities, thus guaranteeing inclusion and addressing local needs.

Since the construction of the water facilities in the communities, there’s been a reduction in infectious diseases, children attend school early, and hygiene practices have improved.

A woman from Umuabor community shared, “Before the construction of the borehole, my kids and I used to trek 5km to Ibede to fetch water. This affected their education as they went late to school. They also fell ill frequently because we didn’t have the luxury to use water to clean up at critical times. But now they go to school early and their hygiene and health have improved too.”

Revolutionizing Agriculture With Agroecology and Sustainable Inventions

Orokoro is a community situated in Ehe Amufu, Isi Uzo LGA Enugu state. Most indigenes of the Orokoro community are farmers. They are blessed with a fertile ground. Their main crop for cultivation is Palm seed. They also plant cassava, rice, corn, and okra. Most community members are farmers, but their agricultural practices are outdated.

They spend the majority of their capital during planting season on procuring chemical fertilizers and pesticides. They also struggled with sustainable water supply for their farms. This reduces the yield of produce post-harvest and affects their profit margin negatively due to the cost incurred pre-harvest. They work tirelessly during the farming season and have little to show for it.

“Before they came, we had been having challenges with how we were going to culture our crops, we produced rice cassava, yam, tree crops like palms, and fruit crops like oranges and coconut. We had issues with the chemicals we use for our crops; instead of helping the crops they damage the farmland.”

Find out how SSDO intervened to help change their fortune. Read on.

We understand that poverty lies at the heart of unreported cases of Gender-based violence (GBV). Most women are often afraid they will lose their economic support if they report. Statistics show domestic violence has increased in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Women have a huge role to play in nation-building. Gender inequality, unpaid care, and a largely unskilled women’s group are some issues to name a few that hold them back.

Women’s empowerment is one of the practical solutions to reducing the cases of violence against women. South Saharan Social Development Organization, through its Jacob’s Well program is providing micro-credit to female-owned small businesses. This will help women achieve financial independence and reduce poverty.

In 2023, 42 beneficiaries across five registered cooperatives got loans to grow their businesses. They were trained in financial literacy, risk management, savings culture, business, and cooperative management using the GIZ Nigeria & ECOWAS resource manual to help sustain and grow the venture.

A sum of 9.5 million naira was disbursed to these women with no collateral required leveraging the social trust within the cooperative mechanism to ensure compliance across the board. We are happy to report that the various businesses are thriving and the beneficiaries are doing tremendously well.

Transforming Lives Through Gender Equality and Sustainable Health Initiatives

Igga is a community located in Isi Uzo LGA in Enugu state. It shares a boundary with Anambra state. It is a tropical savanna environment. Most indigenes of Igga community are farmers, their main crop for cultivation is Rice. Their access to education is limited due to the insecurities of Herdsmen. The Insecurity in Igga community destabilized the community at large. Lots of youths left the community in search of greener pastures and young girls were married off before they could get basic education.

Although there’s been little or no occurrence of harmful traditional practices, women were marginalized in this community. They experience economic abuse and issues associated with early marriages. The community also struggled with hygiene practices, which affected their health adversely; they battled with typhoid and malaria. The community has also had a few cases of gender abuse.

“In the past, we had over twenty young girls that were being married off. In some cases the dowry isn’t even paid. But recently the number has really dropped and there’s barely even five. We hope that in the near future, we will totally eliminate it.” Read on

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.