Optimistic about the future - bring on 2021!

2020 has been a tough year for the world, but the communities BERUDA works with have dealt with the turmoil on top of a tough 3 years of local conflict, closed schools and displacement. However, we're optimistic about the future and as we make our way into 2021 we wanted to update you on some of the initiatives underway that will create a 2021 we can look back at as the catalyst for change.

In 2020, BERUDA created a number of initiatives designed to combat issues of poverty, youth disenfranchisement and health issues of local communities. Reaching out to donors, BERUDA has successfully received funding for projects that will bear fruit in 2021.

The Cayenne Pepper Project - an economic activity aimed at youth

Type Cayenne Pepper into google and it will predict the two words 'health benefits' - so well-known are its nutritional properties. Many people consider cayenne pepper to be the king of medicinal herbs, and BERUDA has decades of experience in training communities in medicinal herbs projects. In 2020 this has seen BERUDA working with 20 local women in the community to provide cayenne pepper seedlings to a soon-to-be constructed processing centre. A centre where a small group of previously unemployed youth are being trained to harvest, process, market and sell the peppers.

As of mid-December the project is well underway and it has proved attractive to the youth BERUDA were hoping to attract - young men who had taken to living in the surrounding bush areas and were vulnerable to recruitment by militia groups. The project is headed up by a young man just like them, which has helped the youth visualise themselves being a part of the project. One of the young men has even taken the initiative to invent a farm tool that will make cultivating the pepper a more efficient process.

BERUDA has realised that if it creates the right projects, they will prove useful as conflict resolution tools that can be replicated wider into other villages, seeking out influential youths involved in the conflict and encouraging them to learn, earn and gain a sense of purpose.

We look forward to updating you on progress from this and other ventures in the New Year.

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas wherever you are - may you be blessed with health and peace.

♥ From the team at BERUDA ♥