IIJD - Programs and Initiatives - Development Program

Programs and Initiatives

Capacity-Building Projects:

In addition to confronting the underlying causes of poverty at the international and national levels, the IIJD works at the local level to strengthen civil society and address community-defined problems. An integral part of the IIJD’s operations is partnering with local grassroots organizations and assisting them with the development and execution of their varied projects on the ground. We provide managerial and technical support to these organizations, using our position in the United States to access resources on their behalf that they might not have been able to access themselves. Though the projects vary in aim and geographical location, their nature is to protect and empower disadvantaged groups. Using local expertise to design and implement community-based projects, the IIJD reinforces the efforts of its partners with resources and expertise to achieve long-term solutions. All of their objectives correspond with the IIJD’s views on development, as described on the Development Program page.

We welcome you to browse the links below for information on our partners and the projects with which we have assisted them by country.

BURKINA FASO
BENIN
ETHIOPIA
NIGER
TOGO
SENEGAL
SIERRA LEONE
USA

Burkina Faso

Protecting Biodiversity through Modernized Beekeeping

This project will take place in the Sideradougou Prefecture of Burkina Faso, which is made up of 34 villages and hundreds of smaller settlements. Traditional beekeeping, as currently practiced in Burkina Faso, is both unprofitable and damaging to the environment. In partnership with Association S.O.S. Monde Rural, the IIJD is looking to furnish local beekeepers with modern beehives over a two year period. This will help to increase their productivity and protect the nearly 20,000 trees that are affected by the beekeeping industry. Traditional practices involve stripping the bark of two area tree species, the Afzelia Africana and the Daniellia Oliveri, in order to make hives for honey production. Local beekeepers will be trained in the new beekeeping techniques, and workshops will be held throughout the length of the project.

Renewable Energy for Sustainable Development

This project involves setting up biogas production facilities in 5 sites across the country. Energy in Burkina Faso currently relies heavily upon oil and biomass. The cost of oil has risen and is no longer affordable to rural peoples. Biomass used as an energy source has a negative impact on the environment, as it releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Furthermore, the state-initiated policy of open air composting has led to the release of even more carbon dioxide. Using biogas, a process which involves fermenting organic matter in an anaerobic digester, would help to solve both problems. Instead of open air composting, organic matter would be used in the biogas-making process. Biogas is also a cleaner and cheaper energy source than oil or biomass. Finally, the establishment of 5 production sites would also provide employment opportunities for the local population.

Benin

Reforming Benin's Justice System

Reseau Yes-Benin is working with government officials to reform Benin's government, making it more democractic and accountable. They have met with several officials, including the Secretary General of the Justice Ministry.

Monitoring the Elections in Togo

Its this project, Reseau Yes-Benin is partnering with the Federation des Organisation Non-Gouvernementale du Togo (FONGTO) to support active citizen participation in the Togolese legislative elections. This ambitious project aims to promote public debates on candidates’ platforms; to guarantee that candidates are accountable to the objectives of legitimacy and development, which will set the precedent for future elections; to work for active citizenship; to support advances in communication and advocacy for the peace process, social stability, and integrated development; and to contribute to the prevention and resolution of conflicts in the pre-electoral, electoral, and post-electoral periods. Overall, the election project seeks to build civil society in order to accord a stronger voice to citizens in the national elections. If the elections are truly democratic, then just, representative leaders will be elected and will address the issues that are most important to citizens. Only by carrying the concerns of citizens to the institutions that make policy will effective, sustainable development be within reach

Ethiopia (In partnership with ETHIO-AMERICAN POOR WOMEN AND CHILDREN'S CHARITY)

Empowering Women

This project was developed in reaction to the plight of women in Addis Ababa. Women are generally poorer, have fewer years of schooling, worse health, and have heavier workloads than men. In response to this, the project envisions creating vocational training centers to increase the professional skills of 60 head-of-household women in the Arada Sub-city of Addis Ababa. The project will take place over a 12-month period. The objective is to help expand the set of opportunities available to women in this section of Addis Ababa, thus enabling them to be more self-reliant and self-sufficient.

Niger :In partnership with ANADEV (Association Nigérienne pour l’Appui au Développement Durable) [Nigerian Association for Support of Sustainable Development]

Reintegration of Street Children into Nyamey Society

This project encompasses several components including economic and social development, alternative energy, governance and civil society, and education. The integration of street-children into the social and economic structures of Niger is one component of the program. Additionally, the educational component includes building infrastructure and recruiting at least 20 girls every year for a girl’s education school in the city of Koirategui. The education component also targets street children. These street children, in different cities such as Niamey, Maradi, Zinder, and Konni, are encouraged to attend a training school to develop their skills, self esteem and confidence. For example, boys from 10 to 17 years old can use these skills to become plumbers, carpenters, barbers, and craftsmen.

Rural Solar Radio(RURASOL)

This multisectoral project involves economic and social development, alternative energy, governance & civil society, and education. The creation of a rural radio, powered by solar energy, will be a great asset to the education of the rural population.

Schooling of Young Women in Koira Tégui (Niamey)

IIJD will rehabilitate the capacities of social services to rebuild sustainable community development solutions. The intervention will go beyond simple emergency assistance strategies by giving opportunities to people, communities and local social bodies to become their own change agents. The program will support civil society and reinforce weakened social networks. The project aims to increase and improve children's access to schools.

School for Deaf

This project focuses on the social and professional insertion of disabled people through the renewal of the School for Deaf in Niamey. The project will rehabilitate the capacities of social services to rebuild sustainable community development solutions. The intervention will go beyond simple emergency assistance strategies by giving opportunities to people, communities and local social bodies to become their own change agents. The program will support the School for Deaf and reinforce its students' social and professional insertion.

Togo: In partnership with AED (Action-Enfance Et Développement) [Togolose rural education and health NGO]

Projet d’Achat et de Transformation du Manioc en Farine - Tapioca et Cossette

This project focuses on the acquisition, treatment, and transformation of cassava (Manioc) into flour, tapioca and cassette, so that it can be sold in local markets, and therefore meet the nutritional needs of the population and increase the financial capacity of the beneficiaries. This project is being implemented in the city of Tado in the county of Moyen-Mono.

Acquisition and Conservation of Hot Pepper

IIJD and AED are working together to meet the nutritional needs of the poorest communities. This project was started in response to lack of pepper throughout the year. The project collects and stores pepper in the high season and then sells it in the low season, so that the nutritional needs of the population can be met, and the financial capacity of the beneficiaries improved.

Acquisition and Transformation of Olives into Vegetable Oil and Vinegars

The aim of this program is to obtain vegetable oil and vinegar from olives (a major product of the region) for consumption in local markets. This will be accomplished by improving olive acquisition, storage and treatment capabilities. The project will absorb the local surplus in olive production, and reinforce the financial capacity of producers and manufacturers.

Creation of a Cereal Bank

The cereal bank will aim for the acquisition and storage of at least 3,500 kilograms of corn during the recollection period and then sell it during the low season. This strategy is employed in order to increase the financial capacity of local women and to help prevent the famine typical of the low season.

Development Project in Rural Environments for Increased Savings and Credit

Through microfinance mechanisms, this project tries to increase the financial capacity of the local population, and consequently fight the economic crisis currently taking place in the area. Parallel to the microfinance activities, the project also develops training and awareness-raising sessions to promote savings and good management among the beneficiaries. The project also involves a literacy program and training sessions to help with HIV/AIDS prevention.

NGOs and CBOs Organizational Capacity Building for Development

The ongoing Local Organizational Capacity Building for Development project aims to strengthen the technical and organizational capacity of local NGOs and CBOs to deliver relevant and quality services (in agriculture, income generating activities, HIV/AIDS support, and participation in decision making) to poor households by June 2007.

Working directly with local NGOs and CBOs, the project will improve and expand their services to support poor households in Togo. The creation of a computer and Internet center open to the public and to CBOs will give beneficiaries easier access to knowledge and TICs, as well as reinforcing their capacity to work effectively.

Multisectoral Sustainable Communities development

This development project focuses on the accruement of savings and credit through microfinance mechanisms in rural environments. This project will increase the financial capacity of the local population and therefore fight the economic crisis currently gripping the area. Parallel to the microfinance activities, the project will develop training and awareness-raising sessions to promote savings and good management among the beneficiaries. The project will also develop a literacy program and training sessions to help with HIV/AIDS prevention.

Transformation of Peanuts into Vegetable Cooking Oil

This project is being implemented in Kpekpleme, a city in the county of Moyen-Mono.

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH VOLUNTEER GLOBALIZATION (V-GLOB)

[Non-profit organization focusing on youth empowerment and training]

Handicrafts Workers in the Fight Against HIV/AIDS

This project is the product of a needs-assessment evaluation conducted on March 29, 2005. While the situation remains critical, educational actions of proximity were identified by V-Glob as an effective response to stop the spread of AIDS. Therefore, the key to this project is to work tirelessly to train Craftsmen of the Lacs Prefecture about the devastating nature of AIDS and how to prevent its spread.

The decision to target craftsmen and then use them in the campaign against HIV/AIDS was also inspired by the United Nation’s identification of the profession as a dynamic and vulnerable segment of the population. In addition, this group of young people is very sexually active, and 75% of apprentices and master craftsmen in the Lacs Prefecture are illiterate– illustrating the need for a customized approach to educating them. The project’s main goal is to reduce the incidence of HIV infection among sexually active men and women in the Lacs Prefecture through training and awareness promotion.

Educational Development

The construction of a secondary education school for the villages of Bagbe, Agove and Dokplala in the Badja province of the Ave Prefecture is needed. The project aims to improve the school infrastructure through the construction of a school that will serve the educational needs of these three villages.

Community Development

Improving the pre- and post-natal health of mothers and children in the village of Nyitoe-Zupke is much-needed. By building a drug store and small health center in the village of Nyitoe (pilot project) and other satellites in different villages in the near future, thousands of people will have access to health care, thereby improving the quality of life of children and women. Seminars and training workshops for urban and rural communities are also part of the activities. The end goal is to meet the health and the educational needs of these marginalized communities.

V-GLOB has been implementing projects on different aspects of development since 2001. In 2004, V-GLOB started a project on HIV/AIDS prevention by distributing 400 copy books with HIV/AIDS prevention messages and gave away 900 packages of condoms to boys in high schools in the cities of Nyitoe-Zoudpé and De Bagbé.

Health promotion activities focus on adolescents and young adults in cities with the greatest prevalence of STI/HIV/AIDS. The prevention activities are focused on the at risk populations: Sex workers, MSM, people confined in prison, and pregnant women. The innovative element in this project is to offer access to quality integral attention to men, women, and children, including access to free and universal antiretroviral treatment.

Senegal: In partnership with Association pour le Développement Balancé et la Gestion de l’Environnement [The International and Rural Organization for Balanced Development and Environmental Protection, Incorporated (INROBADEP, INC)]

Building the INROBADEP, INC Center

INROBADEP is currently building a pilot service center in the village of Kaparan that will serve the County of Bignona, Senegal.

Constructing a Health Center in Kaparan

This goal of this project is to rebuild the Health Center of the village of Kaparan, in the County of Bignona, Senegal because the current state of the building has been declared beyond repair.

Health Safari Project

The aim of this program is to implement preventive health education initiatives in the county of Bignona, Casamance, Senegal. Region of Ziguinchor Healers Association ( Association des Guérisseurs de la Région de Ziguinchor) is open to all traditional healers of the region of Ziguinchor, Casamance, Senegal. The association provides direct services in various areas of human well-being. Members of this association seek to work closely with research oriented scientists and anthropologists interested in traditional healing practices. INROBADEP, INC, through the health education program, works with this association to educate rural population. INROBADEP, INC also collaborates with the association to provide direct healing services to farmers.

Technology Harvest Project

Technology equipment is being collected to increase public schools' capacity to establish and sustain educational programs and promote knowledge sharing. Donations of new and used computers and accessories are being collected to be disseminated in public elementary and secondary schools in Senegal.

Sierra Leone: In partnership with Hands Empowering the Less Privileged (HELP-SL) [NGO helping victims fof rebel war in Sierra Leone through community enrichment programs]

Since Sierra Leone has moved away from the emergency phase and entered into the transition phase towards consolidating peace and stability for development, this project focuses on giving assistance to vulnerable women and children in remote areas who are still affected by the consequences of the conflict.

Women's Shelter Project

This project will pursue the implementation of a shelter program designed to help women who became breadwinners as a result of losing their husbands or men folk during the war. A good number of the vulnerable households headed by women in Pujehun District will benefit from rehabilitated shelters through the provision of corrugated galvanized iron sheets, roofing nails, assorted wires, cement, windows and doors, and technical device.

Water and Sanitation

Water and sanitation are a major problem in the region, especially in Sierra Leone. The Water and Sanitation project will help construct 20 wells and over 200 latrines in the Pujehun District reaching out to 30 settlements in Sowa, Pejeh, Barri and Panga Kabonde Chiefdoms where there were not any wells or latrines before.

Community Health

This project will construct one Health Center at Tambeyama, Barri Chiefdom Pujehun District to serve 13 villages from Barri, Pejeh and Gallinas Perri Chiefdoms All the villages affected are 2 miles equidistant from Tambeyama.

Training and Income Generation

This project will provide small business development training to 100 vulnerable women entrepreneurs in Pujehun District. At the end of the training, it will establish a transparent and accountable revolving loan scheme to be managed by the group leaders.

Household Food Security

This planting season, 250 vulnerable women will be given agricultural inputs for food production. The inputs include seeds, tools, fertilizers, pesticides and farm equipment.

United States of America

The IIJD addresses the urgent needs of the poor through its Global Poverty Initiative program which targets the education, health and nutritional needs of disadvantaged and needy populations. These projects are designed to empower people by encouraging them to be the main actors in finding and implementing solutions.

In the United States, the IIJD’s local programs are designed to impact virtually every aspect of daily life for individuals classified by income guidelines as “poor”, financially and economically disadvantaged, or underserved.

Along with other organizations in the field, the IIJD develops people's capacity for self-help and works with disadvantaged populations, new immigrants and poor communities to find lasting solutions to poverty and to build better community integration. By assisting new immigrants and the needy, we help them achieve their American dream and provide them with the necessary materials to satisfy their basic household needs for housing, a decent living, and social, cultural and political integration.

Income Tax Assitance

The IIJD’s Tax assistance Program provides training in a basic understanding of the financial system and the instruments and resources available in this country. Our clients also learn some basics about taxes and taxation in the USA.

Since 2005, more than a hundred individuals have been given processing assistance, taught to file their own income taxes, and instructed how to effectively manage their hard earned income. Our clients are also encouraged not to borrow against their tax returns through exorbitant interest rates. Through our local program, the mission of the IIJD is to be a valued community partner in the culturally and linguistically diverse Dudley Square area, as well as the greater Massachusetts area.