Napier Anderson November 2009

Name: Karina Napier Anderson
Post: Kerou
Contact: 96.67.87.80

Brief Project Description:

The Ouirna Women Gardening Groups I & II of the Kerou Commune under the leadership of both the Mayor’s Office and the Center of Agriculture in Kerou, are increasing gardening and agriculture in their community. The two women’s groups convene daily to plant and farm vegetables to sell at local market, and hold monthly group discussions to voice concerns/needs. With the help of outside sources they are seeking expansion of crop varietals and increased productivity.

Upon my introduction, the women were lacking access to seeds and gardening supplies. With a basic lesson on accounting, myself and my work partner were able to demonstrate how a collection of group savings each week will help generate sufficient funds for purchasing needed goods. A group lock box and accounting book track and maintain all deposits. This simple tool spurred the next step: using seeds as an additional incentive for saving. Upon buying seeds in Cotonou, the groups were presented with the seed packets and the opportunity to make purchases. Each time seeds were bought the money went into the group’s savings box to be used for the acquisition of future materials. All seeds were bought and we’re hoping to set up a system with an outside buyer who can bring seeds to Kerou from outside cities.

Dates of Project: October – November 2009
Number of People Involved: 29

There are 27 female gardeners plus myself and my male work partner who helps translate local language. He is also learning the accounting techniques and accountability for the distribution of seeds. He and I will be expanding our work to two other villages with more women gardening groups of the Kerou commune in mid November.

Budget:

Item Number Unit Price Cost
Tomato Jaguar 6 packets 775 CFA 4.650 CFA
Carrot Shin Kurodo 6 packets 475 CFA 2.850 CFA
Lettuce B.B De Pai 6 packets 475 CFA 2.850 CFA
Eggplant Kalendo 2 packets 1.075 CFA 1.075 CFA
Cabbage KK Cross 8 packets 1.175 CFA 3.800 CFA
Gombo Volta 1 packet 475 CFA 475 CFA
Green Peppers 1 packet 2.425 CFA 2.425 CFA
Total Cost 19.200 CFA

Amount Requested: 19.200 CFA

Feedback:

We’d like to ensure that Ouirna Groups I & II and the groups that follow can appreciate and learn the accounting technique to augment their savings without the help of outside sources, though we understand it is unrealistic for the women to work independent of a partner – a partner who can help the groups purchase materials from larger cities (such as seeds, fencing materials, hoes, and watering cans). We will train at least 3 women in the skills of accounting for illiterates so the women can continue to save money independent of outside male members.

Comments

GAD Coordinator: I think this sounds like an interesting project, but I’m not sure I understand it fully. I think they are buying the seeds to resell to the group members, the profits from which go into a community chest that they can use for materials for the groups. Is that what you guys understood as well? I’m glad they are doing accounting and business training with the women. I think I have to understand the project better before I can recommend funding. Resubmit next month?
GAD Finance: Concerning the budget, Cabbage KK Cross 8 x 1175 CFA = 9400 CFA but the budget says the total is 3800 CFA. I agree, in general, the objective of this project is unclear. Resubmit.
GAD Specialist: I agree with you. I’m confused. Needs to be re-written and re-submitted.

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