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APRODEPIT
Action pour [1: Promotion dz: Rmourre: dc: Organimtiam d: Dq‘erm’ d: I’Enm'ronntmmt rt de [a Pim'mlmrt integrét au Trlma'
PROFILE: - f T I
ganisations de Dcfensé dc l’Environnement et de la Pisciculturc
integrée au Tchad (Action for the Promotion of Resources for Organizations Defending the Environment and Integrated Piscicul— ture in Chad), or APRODEPIT,' observed its first decade of existence and service to people living along the Chari River in southern Chad. Government representatives, including the Minister of the Environ— ment and Water, the Minister of Planning and Cooperation, and the Minister For Social Action and Family, attended the festivities, as did representatives of local and international nongovernmental organizations, the European Union. the Canada Fund, and the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization. The occasion was joyous, as APRODEPIT had made significant contributions to the region it serves and there was much to celebrate.
The organization’s story began in 1985, against a background of decreasing water levels in rivers and lakes, harmful practices such as
In May 2002, Action pour la Promotion des Ressources des Or-
' The organization was formerly known as I'Association pour la Promotion et le Developpcmcnx dc la Pisciculture integrée au Tchad (the Association for the Promotion and Development of Integrated Pisciculmre of Chad). but changed its name in 2003.
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120 THE BAHA’f WORLD 2002-2003
Mm harvestfish firmed wing APRODL-‘P/‘l": environmentally sound methodrt
the use of dynamite to kill fish, the disappearance of various aquatic species, and a lack of protein in the diet of the people living in the region. In response, a group of 12 families, seeking to find solutions to these serious problems, decided to band together and promote fish breeding. The efforts of the initial group were encouraging enough for it to enlarge the circle by creating a structure that would be national in scope, and so APRODEPIT was formed. A few years later, in 19-92, it was recognized by Chad’s Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry for Planning and Cooperation as a nongovernmental organization.
Like other Bahé’f—inspired social and economic development ac— tivities and organizations, APRODEPIT has focused on building skills and capacities in individuals and communities so that they are em- powered to contribute to their own processes of development. The
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“honor and distinction of the individual,” according to the Bahé’f writings, is to “become a source ofsocial good,” since it is the role of all peoples "to carry forward an ever-advancing civilization” that is based on the principles ofjustice and unity. To contribute to such a great enterprise, individuals need access to knowledge; they need to acquire skills; and they need to develop attitudes and qualities that will enable them to lead productive lives. The community; in turn, provides an environment that brings individuals together in constructive, ptinciple-based collective action. The task of Bahé'f- inspired development eHorts is to assist individuals and communities to find ways to apply principles and teachings to their particular situations.
Recognizing that both participation by the local population and decentralization of the areas of jurisdiction are necessary for the achievement of just and sustainable development, APRODEPIT’S approach has been to provide information, training, and encour— agement to local populations so that they can organize their own groups and unions to take action for the protection of the natural resources on which they depend. To this end, the organization has established offices for regional supervision, trains field officers, and sponsors general meetings with those involved in the management of the waters.
APRODEPIT’s aim in all of this activity is twofold. First, it sup— ports fishermen’s and fish breeders’ cooperatives in technical aspects of farming and raising fish, including fish-bteeding techniques and the sustained management of fishing resources Second, it seeks to protect resources by raising the awareness of fishermen about eco— logically sound fishing practices, by training them in conservational techniques, by providing groups with nonptohibited equipment for conventional fishing, and by promoting adherence to Chad’s fishing regulations.
By 2000, APRODEI’IT had set up 172 fish farming projects in lakes, creeks, and artificial ponds in villages throughout southern Chad. With its headquarters in Sarh, 0n the Chati River, the organization’s three main branches—the Chari—Baguimi, the Moyen—Chari, and the Mayo—Kebbi—have developed the capacity to support some 250 fishermen’s groups, training field officers and promoting the diversification of self—financing activities.
222 THE BAHA’f WORLD 2002—2003
During 2002, APRODEPIT’S efforts to organize the fishermen into groups and to assist them with microcredit loans to acquire materials and tools led it to educate 150 leaders of local organizations about national fishing regulations and the code for responsible fishing, to carry out campaigns to promote the sustainable management of fishing resources in 71 riverside villages, and to conduct extensive studies to understand the economies of villages that depend largely on fishing. Another important aspect of the organization’s work is to visit heads of the districts and make them aware of the deteriora— tion of the fishing and other natural resources in their areas. To this end, consultations were held with traditional chiefs, and 12 heads of cantons were visited by 2002.
Focusing on the strengthening ofwomen’s capacities, APRODEPIT has helped women to build upon the base of the renewed fishing and fish—brecding resources by encouraging them to buy fish from the farmers, to smoke and cure it, and to sell their products for a profit at nearby markets. To assist the women’s groups that have undertaken these activities, APRODEPIT has offered training in smoking and cut— ing procedures and has promoted the development of a savings and credit system for the women to finance their own activities. To date, some 150 women’s organizations whose members sell fish and fish products have been eligible for microcredit loans.
As part of its ecological program, APRODEPIT has built consensus in the community to set aside 80 designated creeks exclusively for fish breeding. It has supported supervision of fish reproduction areas in the Le’ré and Tréné lakes. The organization has also had success in conserving the region’s wildlife—notably, in fostering the increase in the hippopotamus population in Moussafoyo from 2 to 50 within 10 years. (Hippos are seen as a keystone species, since they transfer nutrients from land to water. Fish, for example, feed on various in- vertebrates that eat hippo dung.) As a result of APRODEPIT’S efforts, the gbvernment designated a large tract of [and a5 a National Nature Reserve, and in 2001 collaboration between the government and fishermen’s groups resulted in the placement of an additional five square kilometers of ecologically delicate land in Barh—koh under APRODEPIT’S care. APRODEPIT has supported participatory manage- ment of the reserve at Gnala, as well as the planting of orchards and trees and the establishment of market gardens in the region.
APRODEPIT 2.2;
To pursue a wider range of community development goals, APRODEPIT has expanded its ac‘ivities to Focus on the education of childrcn and women, including unmarried mothers and young girls. These chorrs, likc APRODEPIT’S other activities, which are all founded on Bahé‘f principles. also have an approach that is strongly based on communiry participation. One particular aim is to help men view women as capable partners in devising and implementing so'cial and economic projects in the region. The eventual goal is to curb illiteracy, misery. and ignorance among the underprivileged.
APRODEPIT has supported education through a variety of mea- sures, including providing outreach and assistance to other groups and helping esmblish village schools. One such initiative. undertaken at the request of local elementary school authorities, has been the facilitation of training for more than 400 teachers ofchildren aged 2 to 6 and of adults, as well am refresher courses for teachers and admin— istrators in several kindergartens in the region. At an experimental nursery school, thousands of children, including those enrolled and many others from the surrounding area, have been vaccinated against diseases such as meningitis. poliomyclitis, smallpox, TB, and
Childrm crle/Irdrc‘ at :1 mlmttizm rntmony in one o W)! rdumliorm/ 87 . projrm supported by AI'RODEI’II.
224 THE BAHA’f WORLD 2002—2003
APRODEI’IT support: meetings like the one pictured here, aimed at strengthening women} capacitiex.
whooping cough. Lectures, discussions, and training sessions on the control of AIDS have been offered to the public.
In addition, literacy training and vocational programs such as sewing and dyeing have been offered. More than 100 women have participated in the microcredit program Fonds de soutien en matiére de population, with the aim of supporting revenue—earning microprojects and activities, particularly to equip those who finish their training in sewing.
At its IOti’l anniversary celebrations, members of the various groups working with APRODEPIT and the field officers who serve them shared the pleasure of their successes with the public of Sarh and with invited guests. Discussions conducted and facilitated by people directly involved in the projects focused on the role of civil society in the decision—making process, particularly in relation to the Challenges of managing fishing resources, to fish breeding in natural lakes and creeks, to the management ofa community reserve, to the curing of fish, and to the Bahé’i’ approach to development. Displays 0f permitted and prohibited fishing equipment and a market offer— ing various food products and crafts made by women’s groups in
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APRODEPIT 2.17
the region were also featured, along with sports activities and dancs from various groups throughout the week.
APRODEPXT looks forward to developing its existing projects further and to undertaking more projects in partnership with other agenda—whcther studying the condition of lakes and species of fish in the arm it serves, managing the preserves under its care, training more people in fishpond development, fish breeding, and resoui‘cc management, or ofl'ering more support for community schools, Given the expansion of the organization’s scope over the first IO years of its existence. possibilitia for assisting the people ofsouthcrn Chad to build on their sum look promising indeed.
