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| International Project - Barako Family Health and Education Centre |
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Background |
The Barako Centre is located in Burco, in the Toghdeer region of Somaliland. Togdheer is the largest region in the self-declared Republic of Somaliland, and Burco, the capital city, encapsulates approximately 500 villages within its administrative authority.
During the civil war of the 1990s thousands of the inhabitants of the Toghdeer region were forced to abandon their land, animals and livelihood and flee to distant lands to live in destitution and hardship. The cessation of hostilities meant major strides were taken to rehabilitate the area, including the rebuilding of some schools and government buildings. However, due to the scale of devastation caused by the conflict, most of the basic amenities of the city - including water, electricity and sanitation - are still not functioning or functioning to a limited capacity. In July of 1999, the Development Director of BWHAFS, Shamis Dirir, went to assess the area and was saddened by the lack of facilities in terms of healthcare, education and economic systems, and especially by the treatment of women.
In December of the same year, Shamis returned to Somaliland to establish the Barako Family Health and Education Centre, in order to address the problems and obstacles to development faced by the people, in particular the women, of Burco.
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Barako is a sister organisation to BWHAFS, with a structure and ethos derived from the latter's long experience of working with the grassroots to eradicate FGM, to promote good health and well-being, and to advocate for the Somali community in London.
Similarly, Barako`s main aim is to improve the health and welfare of women and children who are suffering the consequences of FGM and simultaneously to promote the eradication of FGM in tandem with the local community.
However, Barako also realises that in order to tackle the issue of FGM, it is necessary to take a holistic approach by addressing the most pressing health and social issues facing the people of the Toghdeer region.
Image: Woman pointing to the Barako Centre
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The objectives of the organisation include; |
- Establishing an immunisation programme for the children of the region
- Raising the awareness of the local population about the health problems resulting from the practice of FGM, as well as other health education programmes, including sexual health
- Providing an academic education and a library to benefit all the people of Burco, in particular, disadvantaged youth
- Stimulating discussion amongst different groups, including women, elders, religious leaders and local youth, about FGM to build on the positive attitude change currently taking place
- Educating health professionals and traditional midwives on the damaging psychological, health and social problems resulting from FGM
- Empowering women to become self-sufficient and self-reliant by providing education, training, business loans and workshops
- Mobilising and advocating for women's rights and integrity; for example, by giving advice about the problems of early marriage to young girls
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The particular target groups of Barako are;
- Families who have been displaced by war
- Women who are economically disadvantaged
- Young illiterate girls and boys from poor families
- Women and young girls suffering from FGM related health problems
- Early-married young women who have been subjected to violence or abuse
- Drug addicted young boys with no caring guardians
Image: Group of children in Somaliland
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Specific activities and projects by the organisation include;
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- The Jo Bryant Clinic - A clinic for girls and women experiencing negative health consequences as a result of FGM
- Awareness campaigns on FGM, locally, nationally and internationally, including an international five-day forum held in Hargeisa, Somaliland
- Setting up a support group for young women to rehabilitate them after violent early marriages, including providing education and basic skills programmes to promote self reliance
- Establishing a library for public use
- Provision of health information packs, including information about sexual and reproductive health and HIV/AIDS
- Stimulating discussion amongst women about health issues, domestic violence and harmful traditional practices
- Management, confidence-building and income-generation training for women
- A small loans facility, aimed at women who wish to set up small businesses
Contact:
Tel / Fax: 00 252 7313379
e-mail - barhealthed@hotmail.com
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