ICT issues of rural women farmers

Glitches and oops! And Everything  was going so well….

It came as a shock to us that on getting to the village today, the president walks up to us with the phone in its carton; and held it like a prized possession only just pulled out from it’s hiding place. She tells us that the phone is not in active use because they have not succeeded in mounting a pole. For all we thought we knew, this phone had been used to call us a fortnight ago because the antenna and the connector enabled the women receive signal and reach us; apparently not. We are told that when they reached us on phone, they situated themselves on top of a hill where there is full service reception and after the calls were made, the phone and the women returned to their respective places of abode.

A few young men pass by and tell the women to get serious. They brag that if the project was given to men, every ‘pole’ would have been in place by now.

So we ask what the situation is with the pole; why has the pole not been mounted…and we are replied with silence and murmurings. I go to the house of the sole administrator and he promises to help us buy a pole tomorrow so from the women’s weekly stipends, they give him 2,500.00 Naira; approximately 15 dollars for the purchase and ‘installation’ of the pole.

The meeting turns into a sermon under a tree so to speak; we preach to the women on not relenting in their efforts to make this project work. Soon after, the secretary, Naomi Bamaiyi, hands us the minutes of the previous meeting along with the names of the registered members. We promise to call the women just to make sure the phone is working actively and also to keep them abreast with new developments.

In spite of the little setback, the minutes of the women’s meetings show that they are up to some good. Within themselves, they have started an “adashe” which is a local savings device. In addition, the president informed us of their meetings that hold fortnightly with or without our attendance….way to go, ladies!

Reported by Seember and Binta

Mobile Phone in women farmers’ hands

Another Training Day. Using a Mobile phone – Practicals

This Sunday, after a little contemplation, we decide with the women to test their new skill in the use of mobile phones. We would stay back in the city (Kaduna) and they would call our numbers as well as receive calls from us.

During the past week, with the assistance of the sole administrator, we had purchased an antenna and connector so that the mobile phone can receive network signal in the village. On getting to the village however, we realized that the connector was compatible only with phones such as Samsung R220 but we had purchased a Nokia brand. It should have been easy to exchange but Samsung r220 seemed to have been phased out from the Nigerian mobile phone market. After a long search we (with the much needed and appreciated help of the sole administrator) got an r220 samsung phone. Yeah us!

Back in town, we start receiving calls from the women. Every woman tries to call the different contacts we had given them. We do not pick all the calls; (they learn what we call “flashing”) i.e. just as soon as the phone line is connected to the receiver, you terminate the call with the hope that the person will call you back. The women are really excited and they hope to apply this “flashing technique” in order to receive calls from friends and relatives in town. By so doing, they would also generate income; for every call any of the women gets, they get to pay a fixed charge of N10. Finally, the treasurer, who is also our contact person calls to thank us and the women disperse.

Luckily, we are getting enormous support from the village; especially from the sole administrator who made sure he was present at the meeting even though we weren’t there.

Reported by Seember and Binta

ORGANIZING & etc.; SETTING UP WOMEN FARMERS COOPERATIVE

It’s a good day!…something very different; something that has never occurred in the history of our visits to Gwagwada happened today….on arrival all the women are seated, awaiting our arrival! What’s more, they seem more than pleased to see us ’cos as our vehicle approaches, they all stand up and begin to dance in three straight lines. Dressed in their Sunday’s best, the parade is a welcome befitting to royalty so we are highly honoured. After pleasantries are exchanged Binta expresses our appreciation and congratulates the women on their early turn out; which for us is a good indicator that they are ready to take advantage of every opportunity this project offers; starting today.

We go into the agenda for the day which is teaching the women how to use mobile phones. As we bring out the phone, it’s obvious these women are excited. The singer starts a praise song and all the women chorus out loudly and enthusiastically. After two minutes, Binta reminds them of the benefits of the club owning a phone; she tells them how useful it is in getting useful farming tips from other farmers, government representatives, agricultural extension workers, colleagues from other markets and of course, the radio station. She further proposes that the club use the phone as a means to generate income by placing a charge on received and dialed calls. All the women agree to this suggestion by nodding and saying “eh” which means “yes”.

Binta removes the phone from its wrap and carries the women through the stages of fixing the sim card and battery. The phone is switched on and a few women assist in the explanations. Unfortunately, the antenna has not been purchased so we are unable to receive any network signal. However, the antenna which will be purchased by the sole administrator will be handed over to the president in the course of the week so that come Sunday, everyone can practice using the phone; so we tell the women.

After the short training, the phone is handed to the president of the club, whose name is Asibi; in whose custody it will be kept. 

 We inform the women of an election of new officials in 2 months in order to give everyone a chance at leadership and recognition of efforts. The women thank us and after bowls of “fura da nono” (yogurt and gruel) we depart.

Today went so well; I must say that it felt like “Christmas or Salah”.  Binta and I were in one accord…we always work together but today, we were in accordance with the women of Gwagwada and we all worked together in the spirit of oneness towards making today fulfilling. The unity of spirit with which we worked gave me a lil something to think about. Initially I was worried about being marked out for activity with minimal results but today I got the insight that it is the activities and efforts of time past that has brought us this far; never again will I take activity for granted. See you next week!

Reported by Seember

Getting organized is no joke.

The promised day (Sunday) is finally here. We had had a word of assurance that today, these women will be readily available for us. So at half past midday, we set off to Gwagwada. Not surprisingly, our meeting place which is under a mango tree is void of human life and so I head staright to Lami’s (The coordinator). Quickly, she sends for the women and one by one they start to come. Binta (ARDA’s P.O) is pissed and does not spare them….telling them that such behavior is inconsiderate and against our culture of how you treat guests. They apoplgize profusely and a few of the women protest, saying that they headed straight for the mango tree but met no one so they decided to go back home to which Binta further responds; saying  that they should have waited because we are not the ones to be waiting for them. Very easily, Binta changes from the scolder to a friend and carries the women along in an engaging speech on the reason for our visit which is to officially set up a radio listeners’ club which will also double as a registered association so that they can learn from each other and improve their livelihoods by learning various adaptation skills as well as getting assistance from farm experts. The women are further admonished; as they have been told before, to put their whole hearts into this project so that they can obtain the maximum benefits and in turn, pass on the knowledge to other women within, and in neighbouring villages. If faces were written placards, we could tell that the women were moved and they were also happy that in deed, the organization was being formally set up; and immediately! One of the main de-motivators for the women was that people always came and promised; the government always promised but nothing ever came out of the promises. So hopefully, seeing that this project had come this far in so little time seemed to diminish their skeptism…the project was taking shape in their lifetime!

Agbada Association first group photo

Between ourselves, Binta and I suggested interim officials; explaining that all through the focus groups and the theatre for development days, we have noticed people who we thought should serve as forerunners; the women nodded enthusiastically and we introduced the officials to them and what is required of each official.  After the group photos and individual passport photographs, the women were left alone to do their thing.

At first it had looked like it would just be one of those days with so much activity and so little achievement but it turned out very beautifully in the end. We paid a visit to the sole administrator and blessed him with the title and role of  “Patron”. We set up a meeting for Sunday with the women for the training on how to use a cell phone to make and receive calls as well as for receiving useful farming information and updates from the agric departments and the radio program.

organizing women farmers’ listeners’ club

19/05/09  Challenging but plenty to learn as usual.

It is 8:30a.m and our cab is about hitting the not so freeway to Gwagwada. Be warned cos this is not your regular cab (depending on the part of the world you come from). This must be, has to be the oldest Volkswagen model….a hatchback that is literally falling apart. Pix don’t lie and even if they did, trust me, this one is telling nothing but the truth.  We (all the passengers and the driver are riding the African way; sorry the Nigerian way; Two people in the front seat and 4 people at the back; just as tight as a pack of sardines.  You see, this is life as we have come to know it and we are indifferent to the fact that the cab is a wreck (except for the painful part where my dress gets hooked on an exposed nail and tears). As rough as it might seem, I’m so glad to have gotten this ride cos it’s saved me a couple of hundreds… So off we are to set up the listeners club.

 …And 5 hours later….the ride back to town is not half as crappy as the cab; Brand new, tear-leather Peugeot. Generally, people (myself inclusive) are a pain up somebody’s butt but this man giving me the ride redefines PAIN. So what happened back in the community? What took us 5 hours to set up? ABSOLUTELY NOTHING! As usual the women were no where in sight and who can blame them? After all there is a need for any activity that would reap the immediate benefit of setting dinner on the table. At the women’s suggestion, the meeting has been shifted to Sunday. I did not mention where all the women were. There’s this thing called “YASHI”. It is sand from the river bed so all the women in the community go and dig deep and these huge trucks come and gather what they have packed;  Such hard labour and so little pay. A pail costs 35 cents and some of the women have to walk a long way to offload.

The good or not so good part is that everyone wants to know what this young girl in a gypsy dress and cameras is about.  Where are you taking pix of us to? Were you sent here by the government…a little diversion here; what really is the government?  I try to explain for the umpteenth time to these new sets of people about the listeners club where they can work together to help think themselves. I further explain the radio program that would be a means for them to get information with regards to farming and they go, “Oh, great, see you on Sunday”….one woman sneaks up to you, insists on carrying your bags and tells you about her daughter who needs a hair dryer to open up her salon and all I can do is listen and pray that somehow, perhaps, the club would indeed build their capacity so that some of their needs would be met. …another tells me about her daughter who can only sit for one of her exams….real women, real hardworking women with real needs and I can only thank God for more time to think and pray about giving the women a mind frame that would actually help them help themselves. Another wants a job; says she can teach; and I think that perhaps she could that within the scope of the club and get remunerated.  The best gift to these women would be capacity building… I mean, if they could grasp the concept of empowerment and be able to stand on their own two feet and help others who can’t….passing on knowledge…growing from knowledge and experience…developing your instincts…progress development…we will get there.

Focus! That is what we need so that we do not try to do everything and end up doing nothing. We must try to make the listener’s club very effective…and in that aspect, actually better the livelihoods of these women….one step at a time….

Later in the evening, Aunty Comfort, sent a msg saying that an hour of time would cost 43,000.00 which is way above what we have budgeted. So, she is yet to grant us a convenient time to see her because of the Governor’s entourage; hopefully we can negotiate. We might also need to cut the time to 30 minutes and make it very effective.

Because the women have not elected officials, we cannot register them and open the account.

Time Plan:

Sunday……election

Monday…..registration of women

Tuesday…opening of account

Sunday….phone training

The women also suggest that the radio program run over the weekend (Sunday precisely); in the evening……

 We would pay the radio station a visit  on  Monday the 25^th, to try and negotiate the price and also allocate time.

Reported by Seember

Theatre for Development Activity Report

REPORT ON THE TFD ACTIVITY FOR MAJELISSA  MATAR MANOMA

 HELD AT

GWAGWADA DEVELOPMENT AREA, CHIKUN LOCAL GOVERNMENT, KADUNA

FROM 23/04/09 to 02/06/09

BY

NYAGER, ELIZABETH .A (DR)

Theatre For development is a community oriented communication activity that uses inter-personal and horizontal channels of communication for effective development communication. It is participatory, and therefore relevant, inclusive and effective for development communication.

The inclusion of TFD as one of the strategies for the implementation of the GENARDIS project in Gwagwada village of Kaduna State is therefore, an important decision made clear to us on our first day in the village. We observed that, although previous contacts through research were made to this settlement, attitudes towards this project needed to be changed if any impact was to be made in implementing the project.

TFD uses a specific format for reaching out to communities even though each given situation determines approach. TFD may take the following format:

• Researching Community (target community).
• Identifying development Issues
• Prioritizing these issues
• Developing drama skits to capture these issues through rehearsals
• Performance of developed drama
• Follow up activities

At all the levels of this format, participatory learning is enhanced so that message dissemination becomes a concrete and enduring agent for attitude change.

The TFD work in Gwagwada village however, started at the second level in our format. A baseline research had already taken place and some development issues identified. We still needed to identify and confirm these issued through participatory and instigative discussions with the community. Also, we needed to identify members of the community with whom we would be working.

The first day of our contact with the community was therefore, geared towards identifying these groups. Through the assistance of a contact person in the community, we first mobilized the women and then the men. We enlisted fifteen women and six men for the activity.

Day one therefore, afforded us a familiarization tour of the community. We first visited the area administrator who was very supportive of the work. He directed us to a women’s leader who became our contact point with the women.

DAY 2: MONDAY

Having previously arranged to meet by 10a.m daily, we arrived the village to begin the exercise of the day; a mini workshop. This was to acquaint participants with each other and with the project goals. It was kind of plenary so introductions were made and video taped. We seized this opportunity to both break barriers and begin to introduce ICT by inviting one of the women to use the video camera. Assisted by one of ARDA’s program assistants, she did a portion of video recording of that day. The project was introduced by making reference to previous contacts e.g. Melissa’s work and Dr. Sola’s baseline research. They were made to understand that this was a build up on previous efforts. Since TFD uses cultural forms of the people for communication, we invited a local musician who played traditional tunes for warm up exercises. This local music with its accompanying dances became part of the TFD activity for the rest of the week. A few drama skits were tried out around the identified development needs of the village. Some of these were lack of fertilizer, lack of water, lack of access roads to fertile farmlands etc. From our discussions with the women, we however perceived that the most pressing issue was to tackle their basic attitudes towards perception of ‘development’.  Other issues identified were the issue of deforestation and gender roles and relationships. This day, being the day in which we consolidated our planning of the activity, we succeeded in identifying two groups to work with; a women’s group composing of 15 women and a men’s group of 6 men. It was agreed that the women’s group would meet daily from 10a.m while the men’s group will work from 2p.m. Thursday’s meeting with the women was however cancelled, as the village weekly market-day falls on that day. It was decided therefore, that we would use that day to do a public performance at the market square using the men who would meet by 10a.m, rehearse and go on to the market square to perform.

DAY 3: TUESDAY

Rehearsals intensified for both the women’s group and the men’s group.

DAY 4: WEDNESDAY

Rehearsals continued for both groups

DAY 5: THURSDAY

This was market day. Rehearsals were held with the men’s group from 10a.m. Performance held later at market place. Attendance was good.

DAY 6: FRIDAY

Rehearsals for both groups; Fine-tuning of messages for the grand performance.

DAY 7- SATURDAY

Brief rehearsals and Grand performance; the performance again took place at the market square. Attendance was not as good previously. However, since this event was covered by Kaduna State Television (KSTV), it was assured of a wider audience when broadcast. Again, because TFD offers learning opportunities even during rehearsals a greater audience is ensured throughout the whole process. A question and answer session followed this performance when the audience was given the opportunity to seek clarification on issues raised in the drama.

FOLLOW UP

The TFD activity can be an on-going process for the entire duration of this project. Any of the various levels in the format identified above can be used as opportunity for the application of forum Theatre, an active component of TFD for instigative discussion and development of drama skits. These may not necessarily end up in a public/grand performance but will be used to entrench and emphasize needed and identified development messages. This is what comprises the follow-up component of TFD.

SUGGESTIONS

1. Future engagement with the community should endeavour to build upon the gains made in building relationships with both the women and men’s group. These have all been mobilized through their participation in the TFD activity and so have become acquainted with the goals and objectives of the project. They could therefore become channels for reaching out to the whole community with the project’s goals and objectives.

 The gap created by an absentee extension worker in the community should be filled if possible. This gap may be responsible for the observation we made on the very first day we arrived the village. We observed that although previous contacts through research etc had been made to this settlement by ARDA personnel, very little was ‘visible’ by way of impact and awareness. We therefore realized that attitude towards the project was the overarching challenge to be tackled through the TFD activity. We believe that the TFD, to a great extent, succeeded in placing the project‘s feet more firmly on Gwagwada village.

GLOSSARY OF SKITS DEVELOPED AND PRESENTED

Both groups had four skits each. The idea was that two working groups should complement each other as well as reinforce some of the ideas raised in discussions to be tackled in the drama. Identified issues were therefore to be tackled from differing gender perspectives. The skits also emphasized the idea of embracing innovation and development.

THE WOMEN’S SKITS

A development sensitive woman meets various women; inviting them to a development forum. Many are not interested but she continues to persuade.

COMMENT: This skit actually attempted to capture the various attitudes we encountered in the village on our arrival.

SKIT 2: At the forum-a meeting of women. We see the same women but changing attitudes are reflected as some are more open and willing to the issues being raised. One central issue; the issue of starting a cooperative club was discussed. Some of the women are still skeptical.

SKIT 3: At the home of an elderly female farmer who did not attend the meeting. She is visited by almost all the other women. They come in turns, but it turns out they all try to give her various views about the forum meeting. They share with her the issues raised one of which was the promise of a cell phone to the group.

COMMENT: This was conceived to sensitize the women towards the next activity and planned goal of the project.

SKIT 4: Two women come back from the river with dirty water. They are encountered by two other women who ask them why they are only just coming from fetching water. Did they not get up early? They are asked. They go on to discuss the difficulties of getting water which generates into pointing out the number of chores they cover in a day thus drawing up a virtual work diary for women in the village.

COMMENT: This among other things was to highlight the issue of water scarcity and its problems for the women thus leading tp a discussion of gender disparities.

THE MEN’S SKITS

SKIT 1: A visitor is arrives the village (presumably Gwagwada). His name is ‘DEVELOPMENT’. With expansive gestures, he introduces himself, also stating his purpose for coming to the village. He is looking for men of like-mind to partner with so they could bring ‘development’ to the village. He attempts to reach out to various types in the village; various trades and occupations.  He meets a trader, a blacksmith, a carpenter and a farmer.   Again like the women, they display various attitudes most of them rejecting his invitation to a meeting. Only the farmer is receptive towards Mr. Development and promises to try and convince the others to come to the meeting.

SKIT 2: At the meeting; the various trades and occupations attend again as represented above. The same variety of attitudes is captured but ‘again’ some attitudes begin to be changed towards ‘development’.

SKIT 3: Farming and climate change issues are raised and through acting out approaches, suggestions are proffered for tackling the matters arising. For example, the issue of deforestation is demonstrated as a problem to be tackled by afforestation.

SKIT 4: Two boys at a street corner discuss the issue of women being given a cell phone to use. They deride the idea openly until the elderly farmer who is open to ‘development’ arrives and educates them on the usefulness of this phone to the women. He becomes the spokesperson for ‘selling’ this project objective of giving a voice to the women in Gwagwada village.

FINAL WORD

Since all stake-holders are supposed to be part of the evaluation of this project, and since the TFD activity was also a training opportunity for some members of the team, TFD can continue to be used to at the level of the listener’s club meetings. Cultural songs and dances can continue to be used to mobilize the women. The women could even be encouraged to get their own musical instruments.

Theatre for Development process continues

Day 5 and 6 TFD

REPORT ON TFD PERFORMANCE BY GBAGYI WOMEN FARMERS IN GWAGWADA, CHIKUN LGA, KADUNA.

After the initiation of women members into the new women farmers’ forum and the voluntary  participation of the community in a week long theatre for development exercises and drama rehearsals,  Saturday was fixed by the members (time and date suitable for them and the members of the community) to perform on stage their stories as well as what they have understood to be the objectives of this project.

The village head (Gora)had earlier apologized for his absence at the performance, as the day fixed clashed with the Gbagyi people’s cultural day and as the head of a village, he would have to pay homage to the Sir Gbagyi (The traditional chief of the Gbagyi tribe). Nevertheless, he was thrilled that his people had been selected for this project and had always expressed his appreciation during previous visits.

The stage performances were held in the market square by both the men and the women group. The stage was created after the two gender groups danced to the tune of the Gbagyi traditional music played by the community drummer and a female singer; the duo gradually enticed the villagers with their magnificent music.  After a good-sized crowd had gathered, the coordinator introduced the participants and what they were going to do.  The women came on stage first. Their drama skits raised issues on the unending daily work load of women, the unavailability of clean water, poverty, the use of mobile handsets, formation of cooperative societies for women farmers and hygiene management skills.

The men’s skit complemented and built on the messages that were portrayed by the women. They discouraged poor and negative attitudes by some men in the community which might pose as a challenge to the development of women and the entire community at large. The drama was excellently performed and there was a huge turn out of audience; both the Gbagyis and the Fulani people were present.

The dramas clearly spelt out the objectives of the project and the audience had a chance to ask questions such as;

• Purpose of the of the project
• What the project is actually focusing on
• The target audience
• The special packages available for farmers in Gwagwada
• If we would be able to help solve the problem of water

I expalined what our role is in the project and what role they are expected to play on their part.

After the Q&A session with the audience, the two groups came together and danced and some of the members of the audience joined. After the dancing exercise, we drove up with our Gwagwada drama troop to our meeting spot underneath the mango tree at the Reverend’s backyard. We gave the participants their snacks entitlement and promised to be back soon to inaugurate the new members of the listeners club.

Report by Binta Zara Ibrahim (ARDA’s Production Manager, North)

 

DAY 4-TFD

Thursday, being a market day, the women did not rehearse their drama sketches because they all went to sell their stuff. The men, as arranged rehearsed their play after which the dramatists and the entire team moved the play to the market square. As a tool for mobilization, the drummers beat and song right to the stage which drew the attention of the villagers. Then, the man performed their play in front of a large audience.

At the end of the play, Binta restated the aim of the drama and encouraged everyone to be a part of the radio program. She also announced the grand performance that would be held on Saturday.

Finally, two male villagers asked questions or rather, mentioned that the major problem faced in the village is lack of water.

Reported by Seember

Theatre for development

DAY 2-TFD

The rehearsals started at 10:45 with a song raised by Luka, the drummer. The women danced in a circle for several minutes after which we acted out some new drama sketches.

SKETCH ONE

Two young women walking to the market complain about the hard economic times and the little profit they make from selling their firewood and other products. An older woman approaches them and tells them to attend the scheduled meeting. The young women refuse; saying that they have never benefited from these meetings in the past, so they would not attend; after all, the meeting wouldn’t pay their bills or put any money in their pockets.

The older woman approaches two other women also going to the market; after much persuasion, one woman agrees to attend while the other refuses and walks away.

SKETCH TWO

The meeting coordinator (who is one of the village women) is sitting alone under a tree wondering aloud if any of her women would show up for the meeting. Finally, the woman who was asking people to come for the meeting joins her and they exchange pleasantries. A few other women join in then the coordinator explains to them what the meeting is about (the project). They ask questions and she educates them further on the project telling them to encourage other women to participate in the forum.

SKETCH 3

A group of women are chatting together in the evening. They start to talk about the GSM that was promised to their women group. One woman is so excited and mentions that she loves the idea because she would really want to call her friends and family. Another woman reminds her that it is just one phone and wonders who would be in charge. They decide that any of the officials in the group will keep it. They keep talking about hiring the phone in order to load it and making calls to the radio station. Then the oldest woman in their midst says she doesn’t care about phones because she is too old and the other women help her see the importance of the mobile phone in getting information.

SKETCH 4

Two women walking back from the stream are approached by two other women. They put down their pails (buckets) and the other women scream because the water is coloured. One of the women tells them to wake up earlier. Another woman says she wakes up early but it isn’t much help anymore. They begin to lament about how they have to wake up earlier everyday to get water, how they have to travel farther for firewood and generally about how hard life is. One woman says that perhaps with the women’s group, they would be able to work together in improving their present situation.

SKETCH 5

A stranger (representing development) is seen approaching a shop owner; telling him about a development meeting. The shop owner rudely tells him that he doesn’t have any interest. The man approaches a carpenter who is not rude but also declines being present at the meeting. The man approaches a humorous blacksmith who listens to him and makes him laugh but refuses to be a part of the meeting. Finally, he approaches an elderly man coming from the farm that listens carefully and thanks him, promising to be a part of the meeting. The elderly man also mentions some of the problems they face in the village and welcomes the idea that within themselves they can find a way around those problems.

SKETCH 6

The elderly farmer is able to convince all the other men to attend the meeting so they come but are very impatient and skeptical about the project. One of the men leaves but the others stay back and listen.

SKETCH 7

The elderly farmer is cutting down a tree and is approached by the stranger who encourages him and shows him how to plant trees after cutting them down to prevent desertification.

SKETCH 8

Two young men are making jest of the phone that was given to the women; saying that the women would be unable to manage it; no one would want to go and call, they would not get the hang of the operation, they would misplace it…….then the elderly farmer passes by and they bring him into the conversation; he rebukes their attitude and reinforces how useful it would be to the women for the radio program and also in generating income. The development worker joins in and tells them to show more respect towards women; he mentions all the things women do and praises them thus subduing the taunts from the young men.

 

 

Communicating through theatre and performance

DAY 1…. TFD

The ARDA crew (Elizabeth, Seember and Nda) arrived Gwagwada development area by 10:30a.m and none of the women with whom we had spoken seemed to be in sight. In fact, the village looked like no one was expected there. So I went to the lady coordinator’s house (Lami) and received the sad news that she lost her mother the previous day.

On reaching our regular spot (under a huge mango tree), two women had gathered and were going on about the drummers wanting to know what they would receive at the end of the program. Nice way to start. After a while, they grumbled and left not wanting to be a part of anything. Luckily, a few other women came over and we were able to talk them into staying for their own good. I don’t know what exactly made them stay, but they did. Then I saw some young boys and I went over to chat with them. One of them (Yohanna) advised me to talk to their pastor in order to get drums since the other drummers had refused to “work” without pay. Luckily, the pastor spoke English so I was able to tell him in many words how beneficial this project could be and possibly, even bring other projects. So he thanked us and offered prayers for the smooth take-off of the program and willingly gave us his drums to use. Thank God!

After Yohanna arrived with the drums, the women were up to five then, Lami decided to go and ask an old man for his Kabulu (their local drum) because she said they couldn’t dance to the regular drum as they would want. So together, we went and spoke to the kind old man and he agreed to let us use his Kabulu…yeah finally we were making progress!

The old drummer (Luka) who wouldn’t drum without pay suddenly appeared with his own Kabulu and suddenly it looked like the party was going to be huge. 

On their own, women started coming, the boys also took strategic positions. Luka started drumming and without being told both women and men began to dance…the party had just began!

 After the warm up, everyone was ready to listen to what we had to say and we briefed them on the project; letting them know that we intended to use their cultural entertainment forms to showcase their experiences on the farm and in their household as a result of climate change.

 After explaining the project in brief, Ladi Sarki sang one of their cultural songs and all the women started dancing with a few men joining in the dance.

 After that session, the men and the women acted out scenes that have taken place in the farm, in the forests and at the streams. The men showed us in a drama how they cut down trees and replant while the women demonstrated the lack of water in their streams. We discussed these issues after which a comprehensive list of all the participants was drawn and we went back into town.

Listening & Learning

Baseline Activity Day 2

9:00a.m and we are on the expressway once again. But this time, we are headed to a place called Sabo; a suburb of Kaduna where the district head of Gwagwada resides. After losing our way a number of times, we finally reach the dwellings of the District head. Much to our disappointment, the Sa Gbagyi (as the district Head is known) has gone for an impromptu meeting at the State’s government House. Luckily, the extension worker whom we contacted the previous day is there and so we interview him for 9 minutes. At the end of the interview, we are told to come back later in the evening so we head towards Gwagwada to complete our questionnaire administration and possibly carry out a few focus group discussions. We find our reps at work administering the questionnaires when we arrive. Just as soon as the last questionnaires are filled, Lami, our female rep, gathers the village women. The women come one after the other so we wait for  over 30 minutes until the number of women is up to 12. In the interim, we are offered a sumptuous meal of rice, fish stew, boiled eggs and fura da nono (local yogurt prepared by the fulanis) by the sole administrator.  The sole administrator also chats with us and shows us different women planting corn on his farm land who will be paid 1.75 dollars each at the end of the day.

 As we wait for the women, the male reps are able to gather the men who come all at once and so the men ask us to start with them since they are ready. The men are able to come in a group, because already, they are gathered for a community meeting whereas the women are individually busy with their various chores. The focus group begins and the men are quite vocal save for a few who are a little withdrawn. However, as the discussion heats up, even the more reserved of the group speak up on issues bordering on access to farm inputs. The men also profess to assist their wives in their activities when it comes to post farming activities. The discussion goes on for 25 minutes after which we serve the men light refreshment and thank them for their time.

 As soon as the men are done, the women relocate from underneath a mango tree 30 feet away to the mango tree where the meeting would hold. The discussion takes off immediately with a general question asked to all the women to answer one after another. At first they answer in “Yes and No’s” but very soon, they go into details in their answers. A particular woman goes all out to express her struggle in providing food that is rich in ingredients and tells us how her husband eats the food without bothering to ask how she was able to make provision for it. Another woman tries to hush her but she is determined and spills her guts. Her openness does the magic and the ice is broken. To our excitement more women relate their experiences and the discussion gets very intense. At the end, we explain our purpose and tell them of the participatory theatre to which they agree to be a part of.

 In 40 minutes, the focus group discussion for the women ends and after many thanks, we head back to Sabo. By this time the sun has set but we do not want to take any chances since the District Head’s movements are unpredictable.

45 minutes later, we arrive the chief’s house and luckily, he is available. He welcomes us with malt drinks and a very engaging interview ensues. 15 minutes later, we thank him for his time and he promises to offer us support in whatever way he can. He also asks us to assist the community in getting help in areas of dry season farming  and the Dr. Sola explains to him that we hope to act as intermediaries and give the people a voice so that they can get help form the appropriate quarters.

On departure, we discuss the way forward which is sorting out collected data and transcribing interviews into English which Dr. Sola assigns to me.