What was the Problem?
The ability of families to send their children to school in Djarkpanga is about more than education. There is no current provision in the school environment to provide food during the school day to the poorest families. This lack of basic sustenance causes some families not to send their children to school. The diaspora has sought (and provided where possible) to offer food to children during the time they attend school. In addition, they have reached out to families who are unable to feed themselves when the children aren’t at school. The current cost of meeting the needs of the entire community is beyond the means of the diaspora, but they seek to expand what they are able to offer as more resources are made available.
How did DDDT Help?
As and when donations are received the diaspora sends sums of £200 to the person in the community responsible for actually cooking the food. The local association, which has its base in Djarkpanga, takes responsibility for the care of the vulnerable population, poor children and students of the prefecture of the plain of Mô. There are 8 women who prepare the food for these children and the population. The women do the cooking voluntarily; at the end of the year, they receive a small gift in recognition of their selflessness. They then meet the most pressing needs first; based on local knowledge of which families really need the greatest help. In subsequent months, this help is provided to different families, as the range of resources available doesn’t cover even the basic needs of everyone.
This diet provided is typically porridge (specifically for the children), rice, spaghetti, tomatoes, and oil; a very basic diet, but meeting the needs of feeding hungry people.
How Has This Helped People in Djarkpanga?
Families receive, with gratitude, food which is provided for them. Without this, they are affected by malnutrition and starvation. Every donation received by the diaspora for this purpose is spent wholly on the food. No one receives any payment for preparing or distributing the food. So much more can be achieved with more resources.
