By: Haruna Kuyateh
Toroba Baobab Youths Association in partnership with Njawara Agricultural Training Centre (NATC) recently commenced the use of compressed earth blocks to help mitigate the effects of climate change and enhance resilience building.
The association is among other three associations which Njawara Agricultural Training Centre supported with equipment and tricycles from the European Union project – Global Climate Change Alliance (GCCA).
Commenting on the project, Mama Manneh Executive Director of Njawara Agricultural Training Centre said the project would support youths in supplying compressed earth blocks to construct office space in Kerewan for SOLICITA federation, 2 storage facilities in Kekuta Kunda and Balingho for fish processors. This will help to discourage the use of sand and promote climate smart and resilient building, he added.
He stated that NATC built partnership with EU funded project, Action Against Hunger (AAH) through green economy as they realized the significant of building capacity of youths to take lead promoting the use of the earth block. Added, that such collaboration has imparted on youths development in skills acquisition.
He described the youths Association as the only sustainable group working with NATC which the youths focus on the development and promoting compressed earth blocks production.
Musa Loum Treasurer and Supervisor of the Youths Association on earth blocks production hailed NATC for their immense contribution in building the capacity of youths on block making, provision of tricycles and machines.
He disclosed that a member of the association benefitted from overseas training in India on earth blocks production and this has greatly help the association in the drive to strengthen human resource at village level.
However the earth block production has created a source of income for youths and control rural urban migration in the area. The initiative has enabled youths to effectively contribute to community development and jobs creation.
The association so far produced over 7000 blocks of 30 x 15 sizes and available at Toroba for sale and also ready to partner with institutions and organizations for supply.
The move aim to encourage youths to stay at home and contribute to community works,Jaila Gaye vice chair of Lower Badibou District Youth Committee disclosed while she added that the program has strengthen women participation and break social barriers in construction works, which is predominantly male dominated area.
She noted that the involvement and participation of women and girls has given them opportunity to ensure women rights are respected. Madam Gaye reiterated that what a man can do a woman can do it to the fullest.
She however commended Njawara Agricultural Training Centre and Action Aid International The Gambia, Agro Ecology and Eco Restoration Practices and EU project for providing small ruminants and poultry birds to three youths in Toroba.
