Julia Taft Refugee Programme with US Embassy Abuja

Gender and Development Action GADA just completed a project with the U.S Embassy in Nigeria, in collaboration with the Bureau of Population, Refugees, And Migration (PRM) as the implementing partner of the FY 2020 Julia Taft Refugee Fund in Cross River State. Please see below, copy of close out letter from US Embassy.

The main purpose of the project was to build self-reliance, give life skills training for economic and social adaptability and enhance the quality of employability of South West Cameroon Refugee Women and Local Women in host communities of Calabar Municipality and Calabar South LGAs as this will enable their full integration with host communities.

A Needs Assessment was conducted in collaboration with UNHCR, Small and Medium Enterprises Growth and Development Agency (SMEDAN), The Cross River State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Cross River Women for Women (W4W) Community and the women identified areas of interest/focus for the training.

The Women underwent 6 months Vocational Training in Agriculture (planting of Cameroon Pepper, bitter gourd, cucumber, lettuce, Garden Egg, Paw Paw), Arts and Crafts (shoe making, beaded handbags, beaded necklace and hand bangles etc) and Cosmetology (makeup and headgear tying).

The essence of the training was achieved through the integration of the refugee women with the local women and the success of the vocational training is captured by the quotes and success stories from the participants.