Gulf International Bank UK Ltd- Mogbencha Village

Work in Chorkolor is ongoing and the community is going from strength to strength. As the year draws to a close, we would like to update you with some recent developments in Chorkolor and remind you of the incredible impact which you have helped to create. 

Clean and safe water is flowing freely to all who need it, approximately 170 people. For those 170, this has been life changing, for some (espeecially young children), it has been life saving. We are happy to report that the pump is in good working order and the community are ensuring that it stays that way. 

Women in the Market Garden are crowing a variety of nutritious and profitable crops, such as maize, pepper, tomatoes, okra and eggplant. This year alone the women have had two harvests, and are preparing for their third cropping cycle. This is fantastic news and clearly shows how engaged the women are in the garden, and how much the crops are benefitting not only the women in the market garden, but their families and the community at large. With every harvest, women not only fight malnutrition with a balanced and healthy diet of fresh vegetables, but excess is sold for profit, bringing in much needed income. Truly transformational. For women living with disabilities, such as Yeama, vegetable gardens with raised beds and improved access have been built, so that every woman is able to grow fresh and healthy produce.

However, sustainable economic empowerment for women does not stop with the market garden. Women have established a Village Savings and Loans system. This allows women to loan each other money to establish new businesses and support their families during tough times, with minimal interest. This has had a huge impact according to local women like Abibatu, who said: "In the past we could only access [loans with] huge interest rates, and when people could not pay, they would run away. But WellFound has made it easier for us to loan within our group and support our families". In the first week of December alone, the community saved 220,000 Leones, which equates to about £15GBP. This may not sound like much, but in a community where most people live on less than $1.90 a day, that is a major achievement and an incredibly encouraging sign that the residents of Chorkolor are on their way to becoming economically empowered and independent. 

In addition to these fantastic achievements, education on hygiene continues to give people vital knowledge on how to stay safe and healthy, particularly in the age of COVID-19. Equality workshops are focusing on fostering a more equal society, with women and girls being included in decision making and being free to decide their own paths in life, instead of sticking to traditional gender roles. 

All in all, Chorkolor community is well on its way to becoming a prosperous, equal and self-sustaining community. None of this would be possible without your suport, so on behalf of everyone at WellFound and from Chrokolor community...THANK YOU!