Gulf International Bank UK Ltd- Mogbencha Village

The Mogbencha community project continues to advance steadily, contributing to improved wellbeing, social inclusion, and resilience among families. Implemented by WellFound, the initiative integrates access to clean water, sanitation, health promotion, and sustainable agriculture, with a strong focus on empowering women and improving the lives of children. Impact on Women Women in Mogbencha have seen remarkable social and economic transformation through their active engagement in the project.

The establishment of women-led market gardens has created reliable income opportunities, while also improving household nutrition through access to fresh vegetables. Over 40 women are now part of cooperatives that manage garden production, sales, and savings schemes. These groups have fostered solidarity and self-reliance, enabling women to invest in their families’ wellbeing. Beyond agriculture, women now hold leadership positions within the Water and Sanitation Committees, taking responsibility for well maintenance and hygiene promotion.

Training sessions on gender equality and entrepreneurship have increased women’s confidence and participation in community decision-making. This shift in roles is gradually reducing gender inequalities, promoting respect, and strengthening the principle of collective prosperity within the community. Impact on Children Children have benefited greatly from improved access to clean water and better sanitation facilities. Since the installation of new wells and latrines, the occurrence of diarrhoeal diseases has declined, and school attendance has improved.

Hygiene promotion sessions have been held in schools, encouraging children to adopt handwashing and other healthy habits. The nutritional status of children has also improved as families incorporate vegetables from the women’s gardens into their diets. Parents have reported increased energy levels among children and a visible improvement in health and school performance. Community Ownership and Sustainability A key achievement of the project has been the strengthening of community ownership. Local committees now manage water facilities and gardens independently, ensuring routine maintenance and transparent decision-making. A small community savings system has been introduced to cover future repairs and purchase seeds, further promoting long-term sustainability.

The sense of shared responsibility between men and women has enhanced unity and accountability across the community. Challenges: Rainy Season and Access to Food Despite the progress achieved, the community continues to face serious challenges, particularly during the rainy season. Heavy and unpredictable rainfall has damaged parts of the gardens, washed away seedlings, and made access roads impassable.

Women often struggle to reach markets or collect water safely during prolonged rains. Flooding has also increased the risk of water contamination in some areas, posing a threat to health. Food access remains a pressing concern. Many households depend on seasonal harvests, and irregular rains have reduced yields of staple crops such as rice and cassava. As stored food supplies run low, families face rising market prices, forcing women to make difficult choices about feeding their children.

This period of scarcity affects dietary diversity, with most households relying on basic staples instead of nutrient-rich foods. These challenges highlight the urgent need for additional measures to strengthen resilience—such as improved drainage systems, small-scale irrigation, community seed storage, and year-round vegetable cultivation. Despite these difficulties, the Mogbencha community remains committed to collective growth and continues to demonstrate strong ownership of the project’s outcomes.