By: Fatou Krubally
A transformative parenting training session, targeting male caregivers was Saturday held in Sukuta as part of the Monetizing Waste for the Promotion of Organic Fertilizer (MoWPOF) project’s broader effort to empower families and improve child welfare.
The initiative, which aligns with SOS Children’s Villages’ evolving mission, aims to tackle the root causes of child vulnerability by promoting active fatherhood and equitable household responsibilities.
Cherno B. Cham, the social secretary of the BDC and a participant in the training, shared how the session changed his outlook as a father. Married since 1997, Cham recounted his longstanding involvement in supporting his wife during pregnancies, including accompanying her to appointments and helping during deliveries. However, he admitted that certain chores like cooking and sweeping were tasks he had overlooked.
“Now, I understand how important those small things are. When you help with such chores, your wife feels appreciated,” Cham said.
Cham emphasized the responsibility of participants to spread what they’ve learned to others in their communities: “We are the privileged ones. We should now filter down the information to the rest who couldn’t attend.”
Alieu S. Bojang, project coordinator of the MoWPOF project, explained that the training was part of a strategic shift by SOS Children’s Villages towards strengthening families instead of just providing alternative care to vulnerable children.
“We aim to support families so that they can take care of their children themselves,” said Bojang.
The MoWPOF project integrates sustainable agriculture, promoting the production and commercialization of organic fertilizer with gender empowerment and parental sensitization.
Bojang pointed out that during a preliminary assessment, many women reported being overburdened by household duties, which affected their productivity in the gardens. The training was tailored to address this imbalance by encouraging fathers to take on more domestic roles, thereby giving their partners time to pursue income-generating activities.
While Bojang acknowledged that societal norms can be slow to change, he believes that raising awareness is a vital first step. “It takes both parents to raise a child effectively,” he said, stressing the emotional and economic benefits of shared responsibilities.
To ensure sustainability, the project includes follow-ups and monitoring to track the implementation of the knowledge gained. Post-training evaluations and feedback from spouses will help measure the real-life impact of the sessions.
So far, trainings have been conducted in Sukuta, Tabajang, and Fatako in Basse, targeting male caregivers in each community. Although success stories are still emerging, Bojang is optimistic about the long-term impact.
“We are planting the seeds now,” he concluded, “and with time, we expect to see the fruits in stronger families and healthier, happier children.”
The MoWPOF Project is a 3-year initiative funded by the European Union and implemented by SOS Children’s Villages in The Gambia.