Different members of the community of Ngan-Ha have separately expressed an interest in a granary. The project idea was first mentioned to Elena by members of a local women’s group, Femmes de Manfou. (The picture shows members of Femmes de Manfou with Jill during our visit in late-2008!)
The community of Ngan-Ha responded to the need of a granary by appointing a committee to work on the project. The Committee for Development – Comité de Gestion pour le Développement de Ngan-Ha – contains 15 members selected by citizens in each of the 15 “quartiers” in the village of Ngan-Ha.
Each group member is responsible for informing members of their “quartier” of progress on the granary project and they are also charged with collecting community contributions from members of their “quartier.” As necessary, the group will hold meetings with the entire community to inform citizens of progress on the project and to ask for their input.
Once the project is completed, the Committee will hold regular public meetings to discuss the budget for revenues from the project, as well as receive feedback as to how the granary is being managed. The committee will also send bi-annual financial and progress reports to the local authorities including the Belaka or Chief of the village, and the Sous-Prefet of Ngan-Ha, a locally-based federal official. (The Committee for Development poses for a picture.) Note that women, often marginalized in community discussions and decisions, are active members of the committee.
The Belaka (Chief) of Ngan-Ha and Elena’s Cameroonian Counterpart, Saidoo, have also contributed significantly to the planning process and will also be involved with implementing the project. Community members are contributing financially to the project, attending community meetings. Some of them will also provide the labor needed to build the granary. (The picture shows Saidoo, his wife Dee-Dee, and Elena.)
