A total of one hundred Peace Mothers of  Heremakono section,Sengbe chiefdom,Koinadugu district have embarked on monthly fund raising for the construction of the first community market in Gbenikoro village.

According to the group’s chair lady,Sundu Marah, they agreed during one of their meetings to identify one of the most felt needs affecting the entire section. She stated that during that meeting, suggestions came up to build a community market and unanimously Le5,00 was tagged to be a seal for every member to pay at the end of every month. Sundu disclosed that   it was not  an easy start  but as time went by women did everything to contribute.

Financial Secretary, Fatmata Marah disclosed that Le2,000 has been collected and as they continue women are willing to ensure the market project becomes a reality.She mentioned that Peace  mothers support orphans to pay school charges, adding that peace mothers always respond to community needs.

Kadi Jabbie highlighted soap making venture, agricultural activity such as rice farming and small scale revolving loan pursued by peace mothers in the section. She called on Government, organizations and all those who hail from the Chiefdom to assist rural women especially towards the very first community market in that part of the country. She said women walked long distances with perishable goods but with the construction of a market in the central of the chiefdom, they will make lots of savings

1. Madam Manteneh Koroma (Women’s leader)

Reported a matter against one Yarie Sesay (another woman) who owed some amount of money and had failed to repay for a couple of months now. She explained that she doesn’t want to take the matter to court as the CWMCs had promised to resolve the matter.

In response, Yarie Sesay accepted owing the amount and explained that her failure to reapy was not intentional but die to destruction of her crop by cattle during the dry season. She requested the elders to plead with Madam Manteneh and promised to pay after the rains. She accepted and matter was resolved.

2. Madam Hu,ba Sesay (CWMC and Community Chairlady)

Reported two burning issues: the first has to do with men neglecting their responsibilities of taking care of homes and thereby leaving the burden with women. She also expressed concern over the existence of multiple disputes among women in the community over issues that has to do with petty quarrels over children, petty jealousies and failure to comply to the rotational farming visits.

The elders promised to find solutions to the issues together with FT structures.

3. Saio M. Sesay (a teacher)

Raised concerns over the lack of respect for elders and local leaders in the community. He pointed out youths of nowadays are negatively influenced by the social media and negative peer groups by not showing respect to elders. He noted that something needs to be done to save the future of the community and customs and traditions of the people.

The Youth leader promised to engage his members on that concern.

4. Ferenkeh Kargbo (town muzein who calls community to Muslim prayers)

Expressed concern over community members not taking religious activities; especially prayers very seriously. He noted that most of the people, especially young people do not observe regular prayers.

The chiefs promised to keep encouraging and talking to their members to be more prayerful.

Lessons Learned:

The following were key lessons learned from the bonfre.

1. The township is politically divided but culturally united as the people work as a team in facilitating the bonfire
2. The bonfire prepared the ground for the General Village Meeting and VDC formation

III.          The bonfire motivated the people to undertake a community healing and reconciliation ceremony involving sacrificing of a goat and pouring of libation

1. The bonfire also created an opportunity grievance redress and peace promotion for the effecting grounding of PPP in the community.