How does a small yet rapidly growing non-profit/for-impact organization tackle the enormous and recalcitrant problems facing rural West Africa?  Start small and think big.

In the small rural village of Tantiaka, BARKA is collaborating with villagers to determine a village-based micro-model for sustainable development.  This model is designed to be replicable and scalable.   It is a multi-year project with 3 distinct phases to determine a set of best practices for eradicating extreme poverty:

Phase 1

• Water, Sanitation & Hygiene
• Women’s Empowerment
• Creating Global Partnerships

Phase 2

• Sustainable Agriculture (Permaculture) & Reforestation

Phase 3

• Healthcare, Microfinance & Access to Energy

La Petite

The name of this small village, “Le Petit Village”, is Tantiaka.  It is known to locals simply as La Petite.  This is the region of the Gour’mache people (the people of the horse) who speak the potentially endangered language of Gulimanchema.  In numerous trips here since 2005 BARKA has formed a relationship of friendship and trust with this village.  In 2005 and again in 2006, Ina & Esu had the privilege to work with the King of La Petite, a wisdomkeeper who was over 100 years old.  In March of 2007, the king sent word to Ina & Esu that he was ready to die and that he wished to see them again.  Weeks later, when BARKA’s co-founders finally arrived, the king rejoiced, said “Alhamdulillah“, and expired as Ina & Esu walked into his compound.  The king had waited for them.

After the three-day funeral ritual, which BARKA funded and documented in video, the king’s son bequeathed to Ina & Esu a large parcel of land on which some of BARKA’s agricultural projects will take place.  BARKA has maintained strong ties with the king’s family.  Their compound is where BARKA stays when they return to La Petite.  The king’s wife has been instrumental in calling village meetings and introducing BARKA and its work to the wider community.  In 2009, as an expression of their cooperation and solidarity, women of the village each brought a mud-brick for the construction of a traditional hut for Ina & Esu situated alongside the king’s family compound.

Through these deep personal and spiritual connections, a plan for development has unfolded that far transcends a personal mission and lays the groundwork for sustainable impact on a regional, national and international level.