Posted by Abdul Rashid

Upper Bambara Forms Chiefdom Peace Mothers Executive

Fambul Tok facilitates the formation of Chiefdom Peace Mothers executive in Nganyahun section,

Nganyahun Peace Mothers Executive

Pendembu town in Upper Bambara chiefdom on 24th February 2021. A total of twelve participants from all the six Sections, two from each section, were present.

Madam Lucia Brima team leader Fambul Tok thanked all participants for honouring their invitation to the meetings and also thanked them for their continuous participation with Fambul Tok all this while.

She said Fambul Tok has formed peace mother group in as all six sections in upper Bambara chiefdom and all the peace mothers are doing very well in their normal activities over the years adding that it’s now time to form the chiefdom peace mother executive that will over see the activities of the sectional peace mother groups.

She also Said, sometimes peace mother groups in some sections will keep off their normal activities and slowly die down but the chiefdom peace mother executive will now serve as an Auxiliary body that will re-organise the group in order to kick start their normal activities.

She went on to say that the chiefdom peace mother executive could also serve as a mediator between peace mother groups. Whenever minor conflict arises among them the chiefdom Peace Mother executive will step in to stabilise the situation.

During the formation, Madam Hawa Musa, Peace Mothers chairlady for Bambara section thanked Fambul Tok for coming up with a beautiful initiative. She said, the sectional peace mother has been great in all sections in the chiefdom with regards to peace and development but the formation of peace mother group at chiefdom level has being the gap for a long time.

She also said, before now, there was no upper level peace mother group to advise and encourage them to continue their activities but with the formation of chiefdom peace mother executive this will salvage the situation. They will serve as an umbrella body for overseeing the activities of all sectional peace mother groups in the chiefdom.

Finally, she thanked Fambul Tok for their continues engagement in the chiefdom.

Posted by Abdul Rashid

9 Disputes Resolved At Mobonor Bonfire

Fambul Tok facilitates bonfire ceremony at Mobonor section, Kongbora chiefdom, Moyamba, southern Sierra Leone with funds from the African Transitional Justice Legacy Fund.

Mobonor Truth-telling Bonfire and Reconciliation

There were traditional dances, masquerades and drumming prologue the actual confessions. A total of about 500 people from all sectional villages witnessed the 2nd March ceremony.

Section Speaker, Samba Lamin in his welcome address said: “peace is a key tool for sustainable development and that is what Fambul Tok is bringing to our section”. He said the section was relatively peaceful since Fambul came. He continued that the cooperation shown by all villages towards the bonfire ceremony clearly “shows that Mobonor people are ready for peace”. He ended by welcoming Fambul Tok staff and all neighbouring villages to the bonfire ceremony.

A total of nine cases were resolved by the reconciliation committee among which was between Martha Lassayo and Pa Samuel Maggay. Martha explained that when Pa Maggay’s goat ate her rice she took no punitive action. On the contrary, she was the one who was taken to the chiefs by Pa Maggay when her own goat ate pa Maggay’s groundnut and huge amount of money was claimed from her. So she refused to speak to him since then. Pa Maggay refused to accept the claim but the reconciliation committee stepped in and advised both parties to control their animals. They were reconciled and are now in speaking terms.

At sunrise, they offered both Christian and Muslim prayers and food was shared among people.

Posted by Abdul Rashid

Mokerewa Academy Holds Orientation for 50 Peace Club Members

Orientation Programme

Fambul Tok Field Staff Joseph Kalokoh During Orientation

Fambul Tok on Tuesday, 2nd March 2021 conducted an orientation for 50 Peace Club members for the Wan Fambul Schools Program at the Golden Academy of Sciences Secondary School, in Mokorewa village, Njawa section, Moyamba district.

Fambul Tok District Schools Coordinator, Joseph P. Kalokoh facilitated the orientation along with the two teacher-coordinators from the school. Mr Kalokoh in his statement said: “The schools program is an effort to see young people actively involved in peace building within their schools and the wider communities. He proceeded that,” members of the clubs are called “peace champions” because they are the ones taking the lead to disseminate peace messages in and out of their schools and therefore should be ready to lead by example.” He added that, “he expects club members to work closely with their two teacher coordinators”. He ended by admonishing peace club members to uphold the criteria that enhanced their selection and that their behavior as members should be shaped round those criteria. And values of peace

Acting Principal, Mr. Richard Mustapha Nabieu said he was delighted for the restart of the schools program in his school. He recounted that his school benefited a lot from the programme, as he was one of the coordinators before the Ebola virus disease interruption. He encouraged members to influence change in the behavior of their sisters, brothers, friends and relatives. and show high level of commitment towards the activities of the club.

Ishmail Kpaka of JSS 2 gave a vote of thanks on behalf of club members. He thanked Fambul Tok and the teacher coordinators for selecting them into the peace club.

Posted by Abdul Rashid

Fakunya Sets Up Peace Mothers Chiefdom Executive

Fakunya Peace Mothers Sectional Representatives

Fambul Tok Moyamba field officers, with support from African Transitional Justice Legacy Fund, facilitate Chiefdom Peace Mothers executive formation in Fakunya Chiefdom on Friday 26th February 2021.

Present at the executive formation were Peace Mothers representatives from all eleven sections in the chiefdom. The overall reason for having the Chiefdom executive includes but not limited to: strengthen the work of peace mothers groups, provide networking among other groups, supervise and monitor the activities of sectional groups.

The following Peace Mothers were elected in to executive positions:

  1. Mariama Turay- Chairlady
  2. Josephine Nyayepeh- Vice Chairlady
  3. Sandra M Sesay- Secretary
  4. Rebecca Lamin- Treasurer

The elected Chairlady, Mariama Turay, thanked Fambul Tok and partners for setting up the chiefdom Peace Mothers’ executive and promised that they will work diligently to bring peace and cohesion to their communities.

They agreed to meet at Maninga section on the 5th February 2021 for their first rotational meeting.

Posted by Abdul Rashid

7 Conflicts Resolved At Gibina Section

Fambul Tok, with support from African Transitional Justice Legacy Fund (ATJLF), facilitates truth-telling, healing and reconciliation ceremony at Gibina Section in Kongbora Chiefdom,

Healing and Reconciliation

Gibina Truth-telling, Healing and Reconciliation at Bauya Court Barray

Moyamba district, southern SierraLeone on Thursday 25th February, 2021.

The truth-telling and healing ceremony was held to redress minor conflicts among section people. The reconciliation committee resolved a total of 7 cases. Notable among the cases was the one between Pa Samuel Nabieu who accused his late friend’s son, Lansana Koroma, of not talking to him for over a year. Responding to the allegation, Lansana Koroma said Pa Samuel Nabieu used to tarnish his character to his late father. He continued that because he did not want confrontation with Pa Nabieu that was why he kept to himself.

In the end, the community offered prayers for sanity in their section.

filed under: News

 

Posted by Abdul Rashid

Dasse Chiefdom Forms Peace Mothers Executive

Fambul Tok on Wednesday 24th February facilitated the formation of Chiefdom Peace Mothers executive in Dasse Chiefdom, Moyamba district, southern Sierra Leone.

Peace Mothers’ Coordinator Elizabeth Yolimatu Kolugbonda facilitated the formation. She said the formation of the Chiefdom Peace Mothers’ executive was an effort to further strengthen the sectional groups. She acknowledged the difficulties women face in their various sections but encouraged them to stay united and dedicated. She added that they as peace mothers have a lot to offer to their communities and forming a chiefdom executive was a very important step towards fulfilling that role.

Dasse Peace Mothers Meet to form Chiefdom Executive

During the formation process the executive positions positions were distributed as follows:

  1. Grace Kalokoh – chairlady
  2. Ngadie Kamara – vice chairlady
  3. Musu A Kajua – secretary
  4. Mamie Koroma – Treasurer

Groups gave updates on their sectional activities. Peace Mothers’ representatives from Taninihun Gomoh section Musu A Kajua said their group has 25 bushels of rice and gives seed loans to members on interest. She added that they have Le 5,253,000 at hand from paid labor and contributions.

Madam Grace Kalokoh, the elected chairlady, said she started working with Fambul Tok in 2016 and that she was an example of the numerous women empowered by the organization in the many national conferences she attended. She called for unity among members. Their first rotational meeting is on the 5th March at Domboma section.

Posted by Abdul Rashid

Kasunko-Kakalian Chiefdom Peace Mothers Formation

Fambul Tok International (FT) facilitated a chiefdom Peace Mother (PM) formation in Kasunko-Kakalian Chiefdom in Koinadugu District for 10 sectional Peace Mother’s representatives on the 12th February 2021. Participants were drawn from all five sections in the chiefdom: Limba, Fadugu Madingo, Fagama, Dalsalam and Kakalian.

The specific objectives of the session are: to enhance proper coordination amongst the Peace Mother’s groups at sectional Level; to strengthen and promote cordial working relationship amongst Peace Mother’s; and to provide oversight and guidance for sustainable activity plan development at chiefdom Level.

Kasunko-Kakalian 10 Sections Representatives

A member from the Chiefdom Executive, Ballay Mansaray, in appreciating the role of Fambul Tok in changing the lives of vulnerable women said,” Fambul Tok we shall never forget your work in Kasunko-Kakalian Chiefdom in changing our behavior as community women taking the back seat , waiting for the men to plan for us . We are not challenging them but we work together as partners. Fambul Tok have reduced violence in our homes and we now feel empowered to take care of ourselves and contribute to our chiefdom development plan. We are grateful.”

FT Hawa Conteh explained that the purpose of the formation of the peace mother group at this level was geared towards women’s empowerment. She encouraged participants to listen keenly in order to grasp everything that was being said. Hawa Conteh advised participants to go back to their respective sectional groups and work hard more than ever before so as to create the necessary impact as leaders in their various communities.

Posted by Abdul Rashid

26 Madrifeh CWMC Members Get Mediation Training

Fambul Tok (FT) on 19th February 2021 facilitated the training of 26 Community Welfare and Mediation Committee (CWMC) members drawn from 13 communities across Madrifeh Section, Diang Chiefdom, Koinadugu District in northern Sierra Leone. They were trained on various topics such as Mediation, Reconciliation, Communication, Transparency, and Leadership alongside dramatizing contemporary issues for their better understanding.

Host town chief, Pa Kulie Koroma welcoming participants said FT intervention was timely as the chiefdom has a host of issues including conflicts among mining companies and local artisanal miners. The miners saw the companies as encroaching on their communities’ traditional livelihood space. Land dispute among communities was another burning issue in the chiefdom.

The community representatives elected the new Madrifeh CWMC executive as follows:

  1. Chairman – Bockarie Tholle – Fogo village
  2. Vice chairperson – Madam Sunkarie Kargbo – Bod Os village
  3. Secretary – Alhaji Saccoh – Bikor village
  4. Treasurer – Sheik Sulaiman Sankoh – Bod Is
  5. Public Relations Officer 1 – Hassan Koroma – Herekor
  6. Public Relations Officer 2 -: Saio Thollie – Fogo village
  7. Advisor 1 – Mohamed Saccoh – Gbenekoro
  8. Advisor 2 – Tamba Koroma – Dankan village
  9. Auditor – Sheku Turay – Fogo village

The CWMC Vice chairperson, Madam Sunkarie Kargbo of Bod Os village, reiterated the loss of local household income because of the activities of the mining companies and called on women in the chiefdom to close ranks and support the work of the Madrifeh CWMC.

The date and venue for their first rotational was also agreed.

Posted by Abdul Rashid

Malen GRC Sets Up 5-Man Stakeholders Dialogue Committee

Malen GRC

Malen GRC Meeting

The Malen Grievance Redress Committee (GRC) in its monthly meeting on Monday 22 February 2021 has set up a 5-man committee to facilitate a chiefdom dialogue on security and other issues bordering on the peace and stability of the chiefdom, in Ngandorhun Malen village Lower Pember section in the Malen Chiefdom, Pujehun district.

Madam Adama Senge Chiefdom Mammy Queen and member of the GRC said: “The security problem is a great concern in the Malen Chiefdom”.

Mr Alhaji M Bawoh, member of the Malen Land Owners Association (MALOA) and member of the GRC, stood up and highlighted the burning issues between the community and Company:

1.The security threats as most farm guards and other military personnel harass and intimidate the community people in their back yards in search of stolen fruits from the Company’s plantation.

  1. The marginalization of some community people in terms of decision-making.
  2. Increase in teenage pregnancy,
  3. Disrespect for cultural places as farm guards enter secret society bush in search of stolen fruit from the company
  4. Unfair judgments during arrests of community people as suspected for stealing the fruit from the plantation.
  5. The missing of a woman 9 days ago in a village called Gbagba
  6. Covid-19 related issues

Patrick S Alpha of SOCFIN explained to committee members that there were sub contacted security companies in SOCFIN that did not follow their standard operating system (SOPS).

John Caulker, Executive Director of Fambul Tok, stated that the solution to the highlighted problems was with the committee because they have the local solutions to solve their local problems.

Fambul Tok international facilitated the GRC monthly meeting together with UNDP Sierra Leone and WFP Sierra Leone in the implementation of the United Nations Peace Building Fund (PB F) Localized Resource Based Conflict and Increasing Community Resilience project in Pujehun District.

A total of 25 people (9 female and 16 male) were in attendance. The chiefdom Grievance Redress Committee are inclusive structures with the mandate to resolve ongoing resource based conflicts as well as identifying and resolving potential conflicts.

Posted by Abdul Rashid

Kamajei Chiefdom Elects Peace Mothers Executive

Fambul Tok International-SL on Wednesday 16th February 2021 facilitated the formation of chiefdom Peace Mothers executive in Kamajei Chiefdom, Moyamba district.

Section chief Patrick Demoh acknowledged the work of Fambul Tok in establishing peace and unity in his section and the chiefdom at large and praised the support of the African Transitional Justice Legacy Fund (ATJLF) to the activities. He encouraged the women to be united and stressed, “Unity is strength”.

The rationale behind the formation of the Chiefdom Peace Mothers executive is to support, strengthen, monitor and supervise the work of sectional groups in the chiefdom according to Fambul Tok Joseph Benjie. He added that the chiefdom executive also has the responsibility of lobbying and advocating on behalf of the sectional groups. He ended by admonishing the women to select members that were capable of handling their activities.

The result is as follow: Margaret Lamin- chairlady; Mamie Koroma- Vice chairlady; Iye Ngegbe-Treasurer; and Lucinda Lahai- Secretary

Peace Mothers representatives, from all seven (7) sections in the chiefdom, witnessed the formation of the executive. The sectional Peace Mothers groups are involved in fundraising activities to support to support their sectional activities. Mogbuama section for instance, have raised Le 890,000 and are involved in revolving loan scheme.

The new chairlady Margaret Lamin thanked the women for the confidence they placed on her. She said in order for the executive to succeed sectional groups should be very dedicated to their activities. Madam Lamin pledged support towards the progress of Peace Mothers groups in the whole of the chiefdom.

The chiefdom is faced with a lot of transitional justice problems including, ritual murder, rape, lack of quality education and teenage pregnancy.

Their first meeting is on the 5th March 2021 at Ngeigombu section, Senehun village.