Sustainable Action For Community Development (SACOD)

Sustainable Action for Community Development (SACOD) is a not-for-profit local Organization with headquarters in Bamenda, in the North-West Region of Cameroon. SACOD is dedicated to community development and empowerment, with a focus on building the capacity of local communities in sustainable agriculture, environmental protection, and livelihood diversification. We engage communities to work towards achieving their own development objectives through mind-set transformation and inclusive empowerment. Since creation, SACOD has been keen on driving positive social change and rewriting the future of disadvantage groups especially children, youths and women using the Asset Based Community Development (ABCD) approach to development. SACOD has been actively working in the Northwest Region, particularly in Mezam, Boyo, Menchum, Donga Mantung and Ngoketunjia divisions since creation. We have effectively carried out community interventions in the Southwest particularly in the Tinto, Bessali, Bechati, Limbe and Kumba areas involving tree planting and sensitizing the population and school children on sustainable use of their natural resources. We have trained over 150 young single mothers in Limbe, Bessali and Bechati on home garden, livestock rearing, entrepreneurship and business skills to enhance their livelihood. SACOD implemented a trauma intervention project funded by Re-Alliance Network UK. the 7months project provided Psychosocial First Aid (PFA), counselling, group therapy, resilience building and Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) training, provision of reusable sanitary napkins and ongoing vocational training to some 05 young vulnerable program participants. The project equally provided training and resources to 22 persons (9 males and 13 females). These persons will serve as community psychosocial responders to ensure sustainability. The project had several positive outcomes, including improved social connection, emotional regulation and promotion of social cohesion among IDPs and host community members and ongoing vocational training of 05 young vulnerable girls in sewing and Cameroon traditional embroidery. Program participants have gained valuable context specific and cultural sensitive ways to cope with trauma. Despite some challenges, the project was able to reach 1278 (210 households), 529 males (41.4%) and 749 females (58.6%) including persons with disability and donated washing soap to all program participants while 53 young girls and women received 4 packets of reusable sanitary napkins and soap each that will last over six months. SACOD has also enhance the work of local councils through capacity building funded by International Communities Organization (ICO) amongst others. SACOD has implemented the Rubbish Revolution funded by UMI fund, a Community-Based Zero Waste Initiative was focused on transforming local waste management practices through active community participation SACOD is presently enhancing vocational training through rehabilitation of survivors by placement with external trainers.