21-11-2023 | di COOPI

RCA. Amadou Aboubakar and the newly found purpose of his days

Amadou Aboubakar is 40 years old and has always been involved in sheep breeding, caring his cattle with dedication. Five years ago, rebel groups invaded his village, Zemio, in the South-East of the Central African Republic, looting his houses and robbing him. A dark period began for Amadou and he did not think he would find a way out.

"I was a cattle farmer, but unfortunately, armed groups stole all my sheep. This situation gave me a real nightmare! I had nothing left, I could no longer take responsibility within my family and I was desperate. I had completely lost my dignity."

 

Then, the EU-funded RELSUDE Socio-Economic Recovery Programme - I LA TENE TI TO NA MBONGO “Tous ensemble pour le sud-est" gave Amadou a chance to start again, with a modest new sheep farm. As he tends one of his new herds, he tells us how he has regained hope and the will to work hard to support his family.

 

"My life has undergone profound upheavals, but I have now found a purpose to pursue and I remain confident for the future. My current situation is very different from yesterday and I am no longer the person I used to be."

Every morning, Amadou sets off with his goats in search of grass, making sure to lead them to areas suitable for their food and to provide them with enough water. In the evening, he tries to bring them safely back within the confines of his property. The daily challenges are many and mainly concern the lack of medicines for the sick animals and the lack of adequate shelter for the sheep, but Amadou points out:

“COOPI's assistance will be a valuable support to return to my activities as they were five years ago. I will devote myself fully to what I am currently doing because I believe in a promising future.”

The RELSUDE project was set up with the aim of reinforcing the relationship between the State and the population in a country, the Central African Republic, where, according to OCHA, the population continues to pay a heavy price. The South-East prefectures, where the project is located, are the most vulnerable and isolated areas of the Country, ravaged by conflict and internal violence for more than a decade. Since access to infrastructure and basic services, such as water and health, is very low, and at least 50% of the Central African population suffers from food insecurity, significant needs have been identified in almost every sector.

The RELSUDE project is in fact a multi-sectoral project, promoting socio-economic recovery and reconciliation by strengthening the livelihoods of local economic actors and encouraging processes of mutual and community solidarity.