Volunteers from the VOICE for Women and Girls Program provide gender training and learn from participants. The Gender Model Family promotes inclusivity to create a more equitable society and create a safe and empowering space for participants to explore and discuss gender-related issues.
The 4R Nutrient Stewardship project provided 243 small, practical tools to farmers. These included planters that helped with planting in neat rows and dibbling fertilizer evenly, solar knapsack sprayers that simplified spraying, and tarpaulins that protected grains from debris.
The 4R Nutrient Stewardship project introduced to smallholder farmers practices that hold the power to revolutionize yields. The project, now in its fifth year, embarked on a journey of change across 130 communities in the Northern and Savannah regions of Ghana.
The strength of the Co-operative Development Foundation of Canada is grounded in our mission - Acting on co-operative principles, we partner with communities to achieve sustainable economic and social development. This is at the heart of all strategic activities we undertake. Since 1947, CDF Canada became the focus for Canadian efforts to foster self-reliant, member-owned co-operatives in many corners of the world.
Resilient widow and mother of seven, Pobidan Naamo, is a member of the 4R co-operative and she witnessed the incredible advantages of 4R farming practices. Recently, she adopted them by planting her maize field in rows.
“There is something about Africa that never leaves your heart.” For Karen McBride, her words reflect her love for the continent and her commitment to volunteerism. Over the last decade, she has committed herself to improving the lives of others through volunteering.
Volunteers have an important role in co-operative development through the VOICE for Women and Girls program. Barb Kuzyk is one of CDF Canada's volunteers who recently returned from Malawi, and she shares her experiences in how she assisted co-operatives with strategic planning.
We are deeply saddened by the loss of our CDF Canada friend and supporter, Barry Gosnell, a cherished member of the co-op community.
While accessing water is a challenge for many communities in Ghana where women spend their entire day waiting to fetch water, the Tikpanjotub Co-operative sought to be the catalyst for change in their community. They used skills gained from the 4R Nutrient Stewardship project to successfully negotiate the construction of a reservoir.