Physical Health Guinea-Bissau Project #33309

Water, Health & Women's Empowerment- Guinea Bissau

by WellFound

Water, Health & Women's Empowerment- Guinea Bissau

Project Report | May 10, 2021
An Update From WellFound

By Steven Bratten | International Project Officer

Over a year ago everyone’s lives were turned upside down. We have responded to the pandemic, adapted to it and at long last can see a hopeful way out. We'd like to update you on how we have responded to COVID-19 in the communities we are working.

But first, we would like to thank you for your ongoing support over the past year. With your help, we have been able to successfully prevent any known COVID-19 infections from reaching the communities we have partnered with. We have empowered people with the tools and knowledge they needed to stay safe during the pandemic, as well as fight the economic impacts which have been widely felt the country.

Imilia now has her own backyard vegetable garden, where she grows onions, lettuce and other vegetables for her family

With socially distanced visits, our staff have provided essential information about COVID-19 and how to stay healthy to hundreds of households. For those not able to be reached personally, WellFound has taken to the radio. Our staff have been broadcasting reliable information on how to stay healthy during the pandemic, with our healthcare workers taking calls and answering questions. Many people in rural Guinea Bissau lack internet, newspaper access and phone signal so radio broadcasts are a fantastic way of reaching people who would otherwise not be receiving the information they need. We’ve helped to build handwashing stations at schools, households and in public spaces and have not stopped helping families to build their own latrines. During the hardest months of the pandemic when people were unable to access food, we helped to supply emergency rations to schools, and have now helped to establish vegetable patches in public market gardens and household back-gardens so that women may grow fresh vegetables for themselves and their families. These have been key in preventing widespread malnutrition as food has become increasingly expensive as a result of the pandemic.

We cannot express enough how grateful we are for your support, especially this year. This work would simply not be possible without you. We understand that it has been difficult for people to donate this year and even if you haven’t donated, simply telling a friend or family member about us would mean the world.

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Jan 14, 2021
The Importance of Giving

By Charity Otote | Marketing and Administrative Volunteer

The importance of giving

Time and time again we are encouraged to donate to charity: through online advertising, television adverts, offline campaigns and targeted leaflets. These efforts consistently emphasise the urgent need for donations. But why is giving of such importance?

1. Giving helps others

It sounds obvious but many of us simply do not understand how much of a difference giving makes in the lives of others. Often people feel that their small donation will not make any impact. However, no matter the scale, the most important thing is that you are giving at all. It does not always have to be a huge amount. For example, a £12 donation would provide someone in one of our communities with access to health promotion or fresh vegetables which could be potentially life saving. Can't donate £12? Remember it all adds up!

2. Giving motivates and empowers

Seeing the impacts that regular people can have on the lives of others is hugely motivating and can encourage others to donate too. Many are concerned that this impact will be reduced due to tax or administrative costs, however 100% of your donations will go directly to funding Wellfound’s projects.

3. Giving helps everyone-donor and beneficiary

Being able to improve the lives of others in a positive way is a privilege. Studies have shown that giving can significantly improve a person’s mood and create a sense of fulfillment. In addition, giving to others is extremely empowering and fulfills the social and moral obligation that we all have to help others.

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An example of the impact that your donations have can be seen when we started operations in the 5 communities of Nhamate, Ndambe, Tchil, Naga and Inghonho. Life was especially difficult for women who were forced to wake up very early in the mornings to walk long distances and find water before the sources depleted. The construction of wells in all five communities means they now have access to clean and safe water which is close to their homes and easily available. This shows how a few donations here and there can combine to completely transform peoples' lives. If you ever have doubts about the impact of donating to charity, think about waking up early in the morning, and walking for hours, carrying huge containers of water back and forth...every day

Now more than ever your generosity is so important. Thank you to all our donors. Without you, the work we do would not be possible!

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Oct 28, 2020
Foreign Aid-What We Can Do Right

By Charity Otote | Marketing and Administration Assistant

Foreign Aid

People want to make a difference and help others in any way they can. However, when giving to charity, it can be difficult to know exactly where your donations are being directed and whether your money is making a profound impact.

There are many problems associated with foreign aid and as a non-profit organisation we believe that it is important to highlight these issues. Often we can have the best intentions to help, but can in fact have the opposite effect by creating more problems than they solve if we are not careful and respectful. There are great benefits for people to be gained from foreign aid and if done well, it can work to serve communities.

In this report, I aim to talk through some of the problems that countries in West Africa face as a result of foreign aid and also share a few of the ways that WellFound tackle these issues by working to create sustainable change.

Dependency

A problem often associated with foreign aid is dependence. Countries and communities can become reliant on money from foreign sources which results in complacency. Receiving large sums at their disposal can mean that local business is not promoted which prevents development. However, foreign aid can also fuel independence by helping to improve infrastructure, health-care, agriculture and education. Such programmes set up by organisations can create long lasting change through sustainable methods.

By partnering with villages we are able to establish women-led market gardens which offer a sustainable source of income for the community. Projects such as this encourage self-sufficiency as villagers grow their own food and and start their own business. Educating and training is absolutely vital, and once communities have the knowledge and initial investment, they can become entirely self-sufficient.

As part of our work we provide training on safe water storage and well maintenance in order to prevent illness such as cholera, dysentery and typhoid. We encourage communities to adopt good hygiene practices which have been of particular importance amid the coronavirus pandemic. There is also great emphasis placed on women’s health, sanitation and skills which will allow people to make money.

Impact

Another problem that can arise as a result of foreign aid is what is referred to as the ‘duplication of effort’. This is when two different agencies arrive in the same village to carry out activites while neglecting another village in the same region that could also benefit. This results in certain countries or communities receiving help at the expense of others. Additionally, some countries do not gain access to the aid they need while others gain more, and there is little that the people can do to change this.

To tackle this issue, organisations should target areas where there are no other agencies present. Such locations, although difficult to reach, mean that the people in the areas we work are truly benefiting.

Partnership

The effect of aid is often limited because outside volunteers and programme officers do not fully understand the issues that occur in the country. When volunteers try to help, they focus on short-term, ‘band aid’ solutions, while the underlying issues behind these problems still remain. These methods do not improve the situation in the long run, ultimately leaving levels of poverty and inequality unchanged. In addition, there may be a cultural disconnect between residents and volunteers which leads to problems in the area left unaddressed. This is often a result of using volunteers that do not reside in the area.

At WellFound, we believe aid is most effective when it is carried out in partnership with local people, which is why all staff must be local to the areas they are working in and live in each village for long periods of time to fully understand village dynamics and culture.

Corruption

Foreign aid can create an environment that encourages corruption. Large sums of money are often cut off from those who are most in need of the aid, which is instead shared amongst those in positions of power. Money from aid has trapped many countries in West Africa in a cycle of corruption, slow economic growth and poverty. This aid can unfortunately be counterproductive in helping those in poverty, causing more damage than good.

WellFound has learnt from this and is committed to making your donations as effective as possible. The work we do ensures that 100% of all donations go directly to fund projects in vulnerable communities, helping people and maximising your impact. By providing grassroots solutions, with high value for money, little wastage and by putting the community at the centre of the decision-making process, we can ensure that resources are distributed fairly and effectively. Communities must be at the heart of the project and have complete ownership.

In truth, foreign aid can cause problems. However, it can also have an overwhelmingly positive impact and create long lasting change when used appropriately. Effective, long term solutions can better communities and improve the standard of living for many. With the help of donations, we can give more communities access to clean water and promote sustainable living.

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