By Kumba Leigh
A critical component of The Gambia RISE Project is the social safety net, which aims to enhance the lives and livelihoods of the poor and most vulnerable groups. It entails cash transfer, skills development and behavioral change.
The Gambia Daily caught up with some project officers in the project intervention fields in URR, CRR, LRR, NBR and West Coast Region while they are on the roll-out of the cash transfer exercise, to shed light on the programme.
Yusupha Jawo, the National Nutrition Agency’s Senior Nutrition Field Officer in the Upper River Region, explained that the Nafa component of the project is backed by Social and Behavioral Change Communication (SBCC) strategy to ensure the project implementation is a success.
He said the programme includes SBCC, which also entails Positive Playful Parenting (PPP) activity; education and training on business, as well as cash transfer activity.
Mr Jawo further explained that the cash transfer process involves three activities: payment, verification, and grievance redress.
Fatou Gibba, Director, Department of Community Development, said their mandate is to supervise and put smiles on the faces of the vulnerable and poor communities. She noted that the cash transfer is meant for the extremely poor households, and that each beneficiary is entitled to three thousand Dalasi.
“We have not come across any issues since the commencement of the process. This shows that there is effectiveness, and coordination between partners,” she noted.
For his part, Modou A. Sowe, Environment Safeguard Specialist, Ministry of Finance, Central Project Coordination Unit, highlighted the scope of this project component. He said it incorporates foundational learning, TVET, the Nafa cash transfer, procurement, as well as emergency response.
Kebba Jatta, Regional Social Welfare Officer, Upper River Region, Social Welfare Office, underscored the significance of capacity building and social and behavioral change communication.
Sarjo Keita and Kaddy Bah, both of Nyankoi, shared positive stories on how Nafa cash transfer positively changed their families’ livelihoods.
Sarjo Keita, a beneficiary for eleven months attested that the project has greatly impacted her life, in particular in upgrading her business.
