Dialogue on the Future of Africa!

May PEACE Prevail in Sierra Leone!
May PEACE Prevail on Earth!

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Minutes Of Meetings
With Our Rural Partners

CADS Sierra Leone's Meeting With The Lower Koya Communities at Masoko Village

Date: January 28, 2002
Location: Masoko Village

CADS Staff in Attendance: Brima Wagen Kamara, Ingham B. Carew, Chad B. Simmons, Mdm. Isha N. Deen

CCDEO Staff in attendance: Mark Abdul Saccoh

A meeting was held Sunday January 28, 2002 between CADS and the Lower Koya Communities. There were hundreds of people in attendance. Several villages within the vicinity of Lower Koya sent representatives to this important meeting.

The issues on the agenda were as follows:

The CFS strategy
The Visit of Chad Simmons
The establishment of cooperative societies
A. O. B.

The chairman of the occasion was the headmaster of the D.E.C Primary school, Masoko Village, Mr. Tommy K. Momoh. In his opening remarks, Mr. Momoh expressed dissatisfaction over the problems the war caused for their community of Masoko, and other communities in the vicinity of Masoko which affected the results of the Communal Farming System CADS brought to them in 1998. The chairman hoped this year would be different trusting that his community and the country as a whole should never experience war again.

Mr. Momoh also opined that CADS should do more in terms of bringing needed assistance to their communities, as their communities lacked everything. Mr. Momoh warned if immediate action is not taken to help their communities all the villages in the Koya area would be wiped out by hunger and disease. He went on to say the people of Koya want to work. They want to cultivate large acreage of crops, but they lack the tools. They lack the seeds. And they do not have money to buy fertilizers.

Mr. Momoh therefore urged CADS to do more for their disadvantaged communities than it had done for them in the past.

Remarks of the National Coordinator, Mr. Brima Wagen Kamara: The National Coordinator, Mr. Brima Wagen Kamara, explained to the people of lower Koya to continue to show some patience as the center also rely on funding partners to fund our programs. He intimated them that CADS does not have ready cash to fund programs but rather what we do is to initiate projects which we send to the donor community for funding. And until this finding is received before they could get the benefit. But over the years, the National Coordinator lamented, donor contribution to the Center's objectives was nil. He however told the good people of Masoko that CADS intends to stay with them and is determined more than ever before to revive all programs especially the communal farming systems (CFS) approach, and that all previous affiliate member associations should activate there membership and make their needs known to the center.

Mr. Kamara spoke in detail about the CFS approach as a very unique initiative which would ensure the sustainable development of farming activities in the Koya region, ensuring also individual economic prosperity, as well as overall community development. The national coordinator indicated to our rural partners that follow up meetings will be held as soon as possible to get all previous affiliate associations of CADS to update their affiliate status by renewing all joint venture agreements with CADS Sierra Leone.

The coordinator emphasized the fact that the center is still committed to making a difference in the communities of Lower Koya. He informed them about the progress being already made in the Gbonkolenken Chiefdom this crop season. And he went on to further telling them about that the center will now engage into more dialogue through the holding of several meetings, seminars, etc to know what are the needs of their community and how we can all agree on a project(s) and should find ways together to actualize and implement the project(s).

Mr. Kamara however opined that the center's ultimate responsibility is to use its expertise to be able to convince donor partners to fund all projects they would all agree on.

The National Coordinator gave emphasis to all present that CADS has a genuine commitment to improve the plight of its rural friends and compatriots. He appealed to all to put hands on deck and to be courageous that CADS will eventually succeed to extend to them more needed assistance.

Remarks of the Agricultural Project Coordinator, Mr. Ingham B. Carew: Mr. Carew, who is the Agricultural Project Coordinator, told the good people of Masoko that, with the end of the war in the country, CADS will work harder to bring more needed resources to the communities of lower Koya. He spoke about Chad B. Simmons whom he said is an expatriate from USA and has come to help us in our community development work. He admonished the gathering to be steadfast and focused so that in the not too distant future we can all realize our dreams. He spoke about the on-going cooperative societies which CCDEO and KADEF - SL have been conducting in the area, which CADS has agreed to support as well.

Remarks of the International Volunteer from the United States, CHAD SIMMONS: Mr. Simmons emphasized on the need for people to work together in order to be able to bring back the glory of Sierra Leone. He stressed on the importance of meetings and that it is only through such meetings that rural communities will be able to know their problems. He said meetings should be held very often even within the communities themselves so that the problems affecting them will be brought to light. He expressed satisfaction about the hospitality accorded to him. He said we cannot only embark on Agriculture as the only way forward but rather, others issues such as health, education and other related issues should also be the communities utmost concern. People should learn to communicate to be able to know their common problems. He said if the communities meet often and were able to identify a problem then CADS will come in to pursue a project in that respect and if funded then you the people would realize the benefit. Once again, he was very happy to meet with the people.

Remarks of the Women's Development Coordinator, Mdm. Isha N. DEEN: The Women's Development Coordinator, Mdm. Isha Nonoh-Deen also spoke to the community, encouraging them to have faith and to trust the genuine work of CADS and its partner organizations, CCDEO and KADEF-SL that sooner than later, with God's blessing CADS will be able to bring the assistance they need to give them a hand-up. There were many women in attendance and she admonished her colleagues to work hard and to cooperate with CADS for the betterment of their communities.

Remarks of the National Director of CCDEO, Mr. Mark Abdul SACCOH: Mr. Saccoh spoke on the Union of the three organizations. He told the audience that we now have a CADS that is more energetic and constructive, especially in terms of pursuing the goal of securing funds for the communities to help them rehabilitate from the traumas of the war these countries had suffered over the years. Mr. Saccoh emphasized the benefits of the union of CADS with CCDEO and KADEF-SL, that as from now onwards, where there is CADS, there is also CCDEO and KADEF-SL, and as the old adage goes -- UNITY IS STRENGTH, so, Mr. Saccoh reassured the communities that, this time around more resources will be brought to the people of Koya rural. Mr. Saccoh told the audience to trust CADS and its partner organizations -- CCDEO and KADEF-SL, because with the American volunteer, Mr. Chad Simmons, also with us, we all will work to better understand their problems and from which one can formulate policies to help them.

Mrs. Hawa Bangura, a native of Masoko moved the vote of thanks. She stressed on the hunger and starvation plaguing their respective communities. She further opined that they are in dire need of material support from Institutions like CADS - Sierra Leone. Apart from Hawa Bangura, there were also several reactions from the floor, all related to the hardship in the communities for which they really need help.

The meeting started at about 12 noon on Sunday and ended at 4:00 pm

To Know More About Our Programs, Send Us an Email at: CadsIntlPrograms@aol.com or Call Our CADS Global Network -- USA Office at:
1-720-351-5520 or Our CADS Sierra Leone Headquarters at (232 22) 224839.