Madam Kajue was bold to state that having learnt from Fakunya people’s planning process, she personally invited Fambul Tok to cascade the process in her chiefdom. She mentioned the efforts of the people of Dasse that ensured ebola did not affect communities but quickly emphasised that there are lots of challenges in terms of developing the chiefdom in the post ebola era.
She called on traditional leaders and community members in all fourteen sections to support the process to the fullest.
Fambul Tok Documentation Officer, Sheku Koroma gave a brief background of the organization. He disclosed that Fambul Tok is a healing and reconciliation program but now the new approach in the post ebola era focuses on inclusiveness and ensures that communities participate and are fully involved in peace and development processes.
He mentioned that this new phase is piloted in Kailahun,Moyamba and Koinadugu districts, adding that with additional funds,Fambul Tok will roll the process to other districts in the whole country. Koroma explained reason for the chiefdom meeting, adding that it was called for stakeholders and community members in chiefdom to approve Fambul Tok engagement in Dasse for Fambul Tok led people’s planning process.
During a session to identify some of the gaps that affect progress in the chiefdom, community members expressed disgust over failure of some organizations to address felt needs of the chiefdom According to them; fake non-governmental organizations have been exploiting poor people by extorting money for projects.
On the roles of communities in the post ebola era, the people of Dasse said having learnt from their bitter experience they are now ready to develop their villages even in the absence of external support, adding that it is more sustainable. They supported Fambul Tok approach of community inclusiveness and pledged to provide physical support
The people, with support from their Paramount Chief, unanimously agreed to establish a committee to monitor activities of any project implementing partners in the chiefdom. They also resolved to report any abandoned work to the Paramount Chief or to the head offices of contractors.
