ICA International

ICAI Board Report:

The ICAI Board met for the first time in January with its five newly elected members, Adufu Yawo Gator (Togo), Charles Luoga (Tanzania), Lisseth Lorenzo (Guatemala), Svitlana Salamatova (Ukraine) and Shizuyo Sato (Japan). Outgoing board members were also invited to join the meeting as we reviewed 2014 and looked forward to the year ahead.

We discussed possibilities for a face to face meeting in the first part of 2015, at which point we could get clear on our individual expectations, intentions and roles, as well as our common vision and goals as a Board team. We are looking into scheduling our meeting alongside an ICA regional gathering or other event, such as a potential East Africa gathering in Tanzania in April or May, to limit costs and provide an opportunity for ICAs in the region to discuss what they'd like to see from the Board in terms of support and engagement and how to activate more regional projects. We would welcome other suggestions from the network on how to ensure that members get best value for money from the costs of a face-to-face ICAI Board meeting.

Staci Kentish     staci.kentish@gmail.com   
 
(ICAI Board Secretary)

WINDS and WAVES Editorial Team:

COTE D'IVOIRE:

English translation below

Le Mardi 13 janvier 2015, Monsieur l’Ambassadeur OMAGARI Hideo, Premier Secrétaire de l’Ambassade du Japon en Côte d’Ivoire s’est rendu à Agboville dans l’optique de rencontrer les autorités politiques ainsi que les populations des villages sélectionnés pour la réalisation de projets de réinsertion au profit des jeunes. Outre, Monsieur le Premier secrétaire, l’on notait la présence de Messieurs SANAGO, Assistant de Coopération à l’Ambassade du Japon en Côte d’Ivoire, et KOUAME Konan Eugène, Directeur Exécutif de l’Institut des Affaires Culturelles de Côté d’Ivoire (ICA-CI).

L’appréhension de la situation sécuritaire et socioéconomique de la localité au lendemain de la crise postélectorale et l’opérationnalité desdits projets à travers la mise en œuvre des activités étaient les objectifs visés par la mission.

Celle-ci a débuté par une visite de courtoisie aux autorités politiques d’une part (I) et d’autre part aux bénéficiaires (II).

I / Visite de courtoisie aux autorités politiques d’Agboville Il s’agit du Conseil Régional de l’Agnéby-Tiassa (A) et de la Mairie d’Agboville (B).

A / Conseil Régional de l’Agnéby-Tiassa
Au Conseil Régional de l’Agnéby-Tiassa, nous avons été reçus par le Professeur N’GBESSO, 3ème Vice Président, Messieurs N’GORAN Andromy, Directeur Général de l’Administration et ABE Sylvestre Lucien Responsable des projets. Après les civilités d’usage, la présentation de l’objet de la mission par Monsieur KOUAME KONAN Eugène, Monsieur l’Ambassadeur a souhaité avoir une idée de la situation sécuritaire et économique de la Région de l’Agnéby-Tiassa dans son ensemble. Sur le premier point, Messieurs NGBESSO et N’GORAN Andromy ont rassuré leur hôte quant au fait que la région a été fortement épargnée par les différentes crises sociopolitiques qui ont secoué la Côte d’Ivoire, bien au contraire, la région fut le refuge de milliers de déplacés du fait de la guerre. Puis, ces derniers ont fait remarquer à Monsieur l’Ambassadeur que ces différentes crises ont eu des conséquences désastreuses sur l’économie de la région, notamment la faillite de plusieurs entreprises, entrainant du coup un accroissement du taux du chômage, surtout au niveau des jeunes. Le Professeur N’GUESSO a au nom de Monsieur M’Bolo Nando Martin, Président du Conseil Régional de l’Agnéby-Tiassa vivement salué l’action du Gouvernement du Japonais en faveur des populations rurales d’Agboville. Ainsi, après avoir présenté toutes les potentialités, dont regorge la Région de l’Agnéby-Tiassa, il a souhaité que le Japon continue d’apporter son appui à la localité à travers la mise en œuvre d’autres projets qui permettront de soulager les populations dans la mesure où le budget du Conseil Régional (environ 720 000 000 FCFA) (144 000 000 yen)  est insuffisant pour faire face aux nombreux besoins identifiés pour les quatre (4) départements que compte la région de l’Agneby-Tiassa.  

B/ Mairie d’Agboville
Nous avons ensuite été reçus par M. YAPI Yapo Charles, 3ème Adjoint au Maire Chargé des Affaires Sociales et Culturelles, représentant M. ACHO N’cho Albert, Maire de la commune d’Agboville. Trois préoccupations ont été soulevées par Monsieur le Premier Secrétaire de l’Ambassade du Japon en Côte d’Ivoire à savoir la sécurité, l’économique locale et l’insertion des jeunes. M. YAPI Yapo Charles a confié à son hôte que les populations vaquent paisiblement à leurs occupations à Agboville. Toutefois, il avoue qu’Agboville éprouve de nombreuses difficultés économiques. D’où le nombre élevé de chômeur, principalement les jeunes. Concernant l’insertion professionnelle des jeunes, il reconnait que des efforts sont faits par la municipalité. Cependant, l’action ne pourra pas permettre d’inverser la courbe du chômage à Agboville, compte tenu des ressources financières disponibles et les besoins énormes d’Agboville en infrastructures de base de tout genre. Il a donc vivement remercié Monsieur le Premier Secrétaire de l’Ambassade du Japon en Côte d’Ivoire et le Gouvernement Japonais pour l’intérêt qu’il porte à Agboville et a souhaité que cette coopération dure et s’étende à d’autres domaines.  

II/ Visite de trois villages bénéficiaires du projet et d’un site de cultures de légumes

Il s’agit des villages de Bonikro, d’ Aboudé-Dadié et d’Aboudé-Vincent (A) et d’un jardin d’aubergine (B)

A/ Visite des villages de Bonikro, d’Aboudé-Dadié et d’Aboudé-Vincent
Trois (3) villages sur six (6) ont été visités par la mission. Il s’agit de Bonikro, d’Aboudé-Dadié et d’Aboudé-Vincent. Tous les chefs de ces villages, les Présidents des jeunes, les Présidentes des femmes et les populations étaient présents et même ceux des villages non visités. Après avoir remercié leur illustre hôte pour son déplacement dans leurs villages respectifs, des séances de travail ont eu lieu. Les échanges ont surtout porté sur la gestion et de la pérennisation de ce projet communautaire. Les populations ont exprimé leur adhésion et leur implication dans tout le processus de montage du projet. Elles avouent avoir été sensibilisées par à plusieurs reprises par Messieurs KOUAME Eugène, Directeur Exécutif d’ICA-CI et Wayne, Co-Directeur d’ICA-Japon lors de son passage en Côte d’Ivoire en Juillet 2014. 

Les populations des villages visités, ont évoqué leurs difficultés quotidiennes et soumis plusieurs doléances à Monsieur l’Ambassadeur.

A  Bonikro, le président des jeunes, porte parole des villageois a fait savoir à Monsieur l’Ambassadeur que leurs différentes initiatives ne sont pas soutenues, les familles sont démunies et les produits ne sont pas valorisés, d’où les pertes post-récoltes importantes au niveau de l’agriculture vivrière, notamment les racines et les tubercules.

A Aboudé-Dadié, le Chef du village ANON a fait remarquer que les jeunes (hommes et femmes) manquent cruellement d’outils de travail (machettes, dabas, limes, arrosoirs, moto pompe, etc) et de suivi encadrement technique pour la réalisation de leur jardin. Il confie malheureusement que les ressources tirées de la vente du café et du cacao sont largement insuffisantes pour permettre aux villageois de faire face à leurs différents besoins primaires tout au long de l’année. Ainsi, plusieurs décès de femmes et d’enfants sont déplorés en raison du non-paiement d’ordonnances médicales de 500 FCFA (100 yen). Au nombre des doléances, le Chef du village d’Aboudé-Dadié a souhaité que le village qui compte 875 habitants soit électrifié.

SEANCE DE TRAVAIL A BONIKRO
  
  

VISITE DE SEANCE DE TRAVAIL A  ABOUDE-DADIE
  

VISITE DE SEANVCE DE TRAVAIL A ABOUDE-VINCENT 
  
  

  

  

  

Les populations des villages visités ont été heureuses d’accueillir Monsieur le Premier Secrétaire, représentant Monsieur l’Ambassadeur du Japon en Côte d’Ivoire et lui ont exprimé leur profonde gratitude pour les actions que mènent son Gouvernement en Côte d’Ivoire et particulièrement pour le choix porté sur leurs modestes villages. Elles ont remercié également Madame SHIZUYO Sato et Wayne ELLSWORTH ainsi que Monsieur KOUAME Konan Eugène pour leur volonté et leur détermination de réinsérer leurs jeunes.

English translation

On Tuesday, January 13, 2015, Ambassador Hideo Omagari, First Secretary of the Embassy of Japan in Ivory Coast went to Agboville with a view to meet the council and the people in the villages selected for implementation of reintegration projects for young people. In addition to the Prime secretary, we noted the presence of M. Sanago, Cooperation Assistant at the Japanese Embassy in Ivory Coast and M. KOUAME Konan Eugène, Executive Director of the Institute of Cultural Affairs of Cote d 'Ivory (ICA-CI).

The concern for the security and socio-economic situation of the town after the post-election crisis and the functioning of these projects through the implementation of the activities were the objectives of the mission.
It began with a courtesy visit to the council authorities on the one hand (I) and the other beneficiaries (II).

I / Courtesy visit to the political authorities of Agboville

This is the Regional Council of Agnéby-Tiassa (A) and the City of Agboville (B).

A / Regional Council Agnéby-Tiassa
At the Regional Agnéby-Tiassa Council offices we were received by Professor N'GBESSO, 3rd Vice President, N'GORAN Andromy, General Manager of Administration and the Head of Lucien Sylvestre ABE projects. After the usual courtesies, and the presentation outlining the object of the mission by Mr. Eugene KOUAME Konan, the Ambassador wanted to get a sense of the security and the economic situation in the Region Agnéby-Tiassa as a whole. On the first point, NGBESSO and N'GORAN Andromy their host, reassured them of the fact that the region was spared the highly different socio-political crises in Côte d'Ivoire. On the contrary, the region was home to thousands displaced by the war. Then, they pointed out to the Ambassador, the various crises that have had such disastrous consequences on the economy of the region, including the bankruptcy of several companies, resulting in an increase of the unemployment rate, especially for youth. Professor N'GUESSO warmly welcomed the action of the Government of Japan and its interest in the rural population of Agboville. Thus, after presenting all the potentials that abound in the Region Agnéby-Tiassa, he hoped that Japan continues to provide support for the community through the implementation of other projects that will relieve the population of the short fall in the budget of the Regional Council (about 720 million FCFA) (144 million yen) as it is insufficient to address the many needs identified for the four (4) departments that make up the region of Agneby-Tiassa.

B / Mayor of Agboville
We were then received by Mr. Yapi Yapo Charles, 3rd Deputy Mayor in charge of Social and Cultural Affairs, representing Mr COHA N'cho Albert, Mayor of the town of Agboville. Two concerns were raised by the First Secretary of the Embassy of Japan in Ivory Coast: security, local and the economic integration of young people. Mr. Yapi Yapo Charles told his host that people go about their business quietly in Agboville. However, he admits the Agboville region is facing many economic difficulties, hence the large number of unemployed, mostly young people. Regarding the integration of young people, he recognizes that efforts have been made by the municipality. However, they have found it difficult to reverse the trend in unemployment in Agboville, given the available financial resources and the enormous needs of Agboville for all kinds of basic infrastructure. He therefore warmly thanked the First Secretary of the Japanese Embassy in Ivory Coast and the Japanese Government for its interest in Agboville and hoped that this cooperation will extend to other areas .

Three of the six villages were visited by the mission. This is Bonikro, of Aboudé-Dadié and Aboudé Vincent. All the chiefs of the villages: youth Presidents, Presidents of women and populations were present, even from those non visited villages. After thanking their illustrious host for action in their respective villages, working sessions were held. The discussions focused on the management and sustainability of this community project. The people expressed their support and involvement throughout the project design process. They say they have been impressed on several occasions by Messrs KOUAME Eugène, Executive Director of ICA-CI and Wayne, Co-Director of ICA-Japan during his visit to Côte d'Ivoire in July 2014.

WORKING SESSION IN BONIKRO
  
  

The visit of the delegation to the village of Aboudé-Dadié helped to confirm the difficulties facing the people of villages with a population of more than 875 people. This village does not have electricity and young women and boys who grow vegetable crops have only sprinklers for watering their vegetable plants. The Head Anon listed several challenges at its group meeting. He even stressed that villagers can die for want of 500 f CFA (100 yen), because often after the sale of products such as cocoa and coffee there is not enough money to properly meet their needs throughout the year. This is why he is very pleased to start this reintegration project in his village. He thanked Mr. Hideo Omagari, and asked him to kindly convey, to the Ambassador of Japan in Ivory Coast, his gratitude for choosing his village.

VISIT OF WORKING SESSION IN ABOUDE-DEE DEE
  

In the village of Aboudé Vincent, Chief aybe recounted the suffering experienced by its population of over 5125 inhabitants, all of them farmers. Their main income comes from farming, especially cocoa and coffee. They also produce their own food, both for themselves and sometimes for sale. Young people are growing vegetables but as novices without the technical support of a development organization, they are forced to work in small areas. The young people applauded when Mr. Omagari First Secretary announced that their mission was to visit with them and to collect information for a report to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. The ministry could then assess the project from the report of his field visit and determine the possible extent to finance it. The chief thanked the entire delegation and asked the Secretary to convey his sincere thanks and that of the whole population, to the Ambassador and the Japanese government. It also instructed Mr. Eugène KOUAME to thank Mrs. Shizuyo Sato and Wayne Elsworth for their great dedication and commitment to this project in their area. To mark the great friendship between the Village and Japan the Cheif offered cocoa pods for the mission, as the Japanese delegation had had offered him chocolate from the land of rising sun.

WORKING VISIT IN ABOUDE-VINCENT 
  
  

SITE VISIT TO VEGETABLE GARDENS (Egg plant)

  

  

  

INDIA:

More than 35 years after the Chikhale Village Human Development Project Consult, the community continues to host international guests and encourage uplifting service projects. In excess of 3,000 village residents, students, faculty and guests attended the 25th Anniversary Celebration of the Adivasi Ashram Shalla in Chikhale Village on Jan. 24, 2015. The Honorable Suryakanda Patil, ex Minister of State for Rural Development for the Government of India, a long-time supporter of the school, gave the opening address. She commended the faculty and students for their deep heart-felt commitment to providing high-quality education for tribal people. Three members of the village grampanchayat attended the event along with other supporters as well as guests from the US and Netherlands.

After the speeches from faculty and supporters were delivered, students were given awards for excellence in academics and sports. Commemorative plaques were also presented to long-time supporters including the principal and the cook who have been with the school since the day it opened in 1989. The highlight of the evening was the spirited dance performances by the students. For nearly three hours, groups of students from the various classes entertained the audience with classical dances that retold the great stories of the Hindu tradition, regional dances that portrayed life in Indian villages, contemporary songs from the silver screen and skits that made a social commentary on current events. The flashing lights and catchy music drew people from the village and surrounding areas. Soon the entire courtyard was full of people sharing the enthusiasm of the evening.

The 25th anniversary celebration began with the dedication of the e-Learning Center donated by the Rotary Club. The center includes an overhead projector with interactive learning programs for all standards. Along with the computer lab and the recently acquired internet connection, the e-Learning Center empowers the students and staff to participate in the Global Classroom. In conjunction with three schools in the US and a team from Emerging Ecology, the students conduct Skype conversations on environmentally related topics.

The Adivasi Ashram Shalla at Chikhale Village is a project of ICA India. After the ICA had completed ten years of village development work with Chikhale and nine other surrounding villages, a joint decision was made to start a school for tribal children. From the initial class of 15 first graders, the school has grown to 700 students from grades 1 through 12. The current staff is interested in compiling some of the early history of the Chikhale Village Development Project and the beginning of the school. People with photos or documents can send them to ashramshalachikhale@gmail.com, vijay.lokhande01@gmail.com or NStover@EmergingEcology.org.

Additional information about the Chikhale School is available on-line at icaindiapn.org/chikhale-ashram-school.php and emergingecology.org/global-classroom.html. You can also follow news about the school and the Global Classroom at FaceBook.com/EmergingEcology.

Written by: F. Nelson Stover, Emerging Ecology
Photos by: Rokus Harder and Nelson Stover

F. Nelson Stover           NStover@EmergingEcology.org

JAPAN:

Success! Our partnership project with Cote d’Ivoire was accepted today by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Japan!!! The Director of MOFA’s NGO Center said that this project will be a challenge to succeed, considering the low level of literacy in the project area, and that most NGO’s have not dared to take on this difficult task.

Eugene was elated when Shizuyo and Wayne called him and announced that our two year’s of work creating a proposed solution to integrated development had been accepted and would officially start March 1.  The project in Agboville region of Cote d’Ivoire is to develop 6 villages to have a modern basis for agriculture production, poultry raising, and agroforestry.  The learning centered project also will utilize ICA’s famous curriculums for Community Development and Leadership Advancement, along with social integration.

The Agboville region had most industry leave or collapse during the fierce warfare that lasted more than 10 years.  Agboville became home for thousands of disillusioned solders, resettling in Agboville from across the nation.  The Mayor proudly stated that now they have a diverse culture harmoniously living together.  What a great chance we have to re-invigorate 6 communities of eager unemployed youth.

We will use the most advanced learning system, having the students learn and shortly thereafter teach others, including friends and family members.  We will need help to strengthen the education system as well, raising the standards for vocational training. How can you assist Agboville villages?

Please dream about how you can involve yourself in supporting these 6 villages.  Enliven west Africa with a unique development supported and encouraged by the ICA’s peer to peer network. Think about holding a west Africa regional conference next November to spread the technology of profound development everywhere.

Track Eugene and team, along with those from Japan, as the challenges turn into success stories.

Please see our website at http://www.icajapan.org/ home-english/ for more. And watch ICA Cote d’Ivoire’s site too.

Wayne Ellsworth for ICA Japan         wayne@icajapan.org 

NEPAL:

January 2015: ICA Nepal started the year with lots of excitement and changes for the better. ICA Nepal is now operating from a new location, a new building and with a new team. Our new building is located at Kriti Marg Koteshwor (near Balkumari Bridge). The seven storey building has two well-equipped training/seminar halls, a library, and accommodation facilities for our volunteers.

ICA Nepal, in continuing its obsession for human development, we supported a fun filled mobile throwing competition organized by the Rotary Club of Rudramati on Jan 10 at Tudikhel, Kathmandu. The theme of the competition was One Village, One Women, and One Mobile. Mobile Throwing, recognized as an international sport which started in Europe, and then, when landing in Asia for the first time, ICA Nepal had the privilege to support and sponsor the program. The event was also supported by the Rotaract Club of Rudramati, the Rotaract Club of Rudramati Babarmal, and the Rotaract Club of Manohara. This innovative and well meaning idea was to promote communication with the remote rural area of Mugu District. The participants had to bring along a usable mobile phone or had the option to buy a phone at minimal cost. The event was coordinated by Dr. Tatwa P. Timsina.

With 255 participants in three categories, male, female and children, and with more than a thousand enthusiastic viewers, the competition was a huge success. We were able to collect 200 mobile phones which will be distributed to the needy women in Mugu District. Mugu district lacks communication facilities, and the idea came up as a social event to help the women who are in need of communication. ICA Nepal has always been committed to promoting activities that provide substantial help to people who are in need, and further, will always continue to be engaged in activities that assist human development and community development.

Similarly, ICA Nepal conducted a two day Social Artistry Leadership Training for National NGOs Network Group Against AIDS Nepal (NANGAN) on Jan 10 and 11, 2015, at our new location. The training was reported to be very effective and appreciated by all. The training was facilitated by Amba Datta Bhatta and Atma Ram Timsina.

UNITED STATES:

Following reflection on the year, the group was eager to have action-oriented goals and plan for events and discussions in 2015. Focus groups planned for four specific initiatives, including a Faith Forum, a roundtable with the City of Chicago, Sustainable Economies, and ISEIF and energy hubs. The "Is It Just Space?" discussions from the Oct.7 event continued to plan a Justice and Space event series, and smalls groups started to plan for events in the following topics: Houses of Worship and Underutilized Space, Justice in Our Streets, Place-based Education, Public Space and Cultural Diversity, and Transit and Accessibility.

Richard Alton          richard.alton@gmail.com .