Development for Africa is Moving Forward!
(Dr. Aisha Fields has returned from West Africa and will talk live on Uhuru Radio Sunday, January 27th at 4pm Eastern)

Earlier this month, members of the All African People's Development & Empowerment Project travelled to Sierra Leone, West Africa, in order to officially launch a number of development projects in the country.

As part of this trip, facilitated by the Africanist Movement of Sierra Leone and West Africa, AAPDEP officials carried out project assessments for clean water, community healthcare and agricultural projects, participated in community meetings, and met with leaders of the Gbanelolo and Oloshoro communities.

AAPDEP projects are set to begin in Gbanelolo and Oloshoro in March of 2008 with the building of community-sized rainwater harvesting systems and a number of community-wide health trainings on how to prevent, identify and treat waterborne diseases.

Gbanelolo, which means "meeting place" in the language of the Temene people, is home to over 500, most of whom are subsistence farmers. In Gbanelolo, AAPDEP's African Corps of Engineers, Scientists & Healthcare workers will also work to develop 30 acres of land into a community farm whose produce will be used for community consumption and sale.

In Oloshoro, a coastal community home to over 2000 people, AAPDEP is also working to develop a community healthcare project to address the high rate of infant and maternal mortality. Sierra Leone has the highest rate of maternal mortality and one of the highest rates of infant mortality in the world.

Thanks to all who have supported the launching of these important projects. Please spread the word as we move forward to make this vision of sustainable development and community health a reality. For more information, visit www.developmentforafrica.org.