The GoBifo Project is administered by the World Bank to strengthen social capital in the pilot Districts of Bombali and Bonthe. Being rural-based, GoBifo is drafted within the ambit of Sierra Leone’s decentralization programme. GoBifo is a krio word meaning:  to move forward.

The project started in 2005 and the approach is designed to increase social capital in grass roots communities in post-conflict Sierra Leone in order to promote more inclusive and effective development.

GoBifo enhances the linkages between government and communities to strengthen Sierra Leone’s nascent democracy and promote more sustainable development outcomes.

A women's soap making project at Moyowa village in the Bonthe District

It also seeks to reduce communities’ dependence on donor funds by empowering them to guide the development process according to their individual needs and priorities. The Project is sponsored by the Japan Social development Fund (JSDF).

Three years after its commencement, beneficiaries of the project in Bombali and Bonthe have been giving their views about its impact in their communities.

All GoBifo communities with on-going and completed development projects maintain that the project is addressing their needs. They consider the GoBifo strategy of direct community financing through commercial banks, as the best option for addressing their community development challenges.

They maintain that by procuring their project materials and transporting them to their villages, storing their project materials themselves and hiring and paying their own contractors etc, restores and builds their self confidence, and self-esteem. Discussions with the communities reveal that they are addressing their development priorities and needs with the small amount of monies they are receiving from the GoBifo Project.

A house built for Traditional Birth Attendants at Wulai, Bonthe District

Involvement of GoBifo staff in village planning and other participatory activities from the initial stage to the implementation stage, has helped beneficiary communities to make true reflections on what the development challenges were and how to address them.

Beneficiaries have specifically commended the pit latrines with drop holes project. To them this project has contributed immensely to cleanliness within their communities. With cassava grater machines, GoBifo communities process the tubers into foofoo and garri (local food stuffs). These are consumed and sometimes sold to outsiders from satellite villages that pay more for the services of the grater machines. The proceeds are used to buy fuel for the machines, pay school fees and contribute to community accounts for other development challenges.

The fishing projects, mostly run by women, are also considered income generating projects. Again, some of the proceeds go to the community accounts for the future development of their communities.

In Bendu 1 and 2 in the Bonthe District, the village chief and chairman of the Village Development Committee once said:

“We like the GoBifo approach because it gives us confidence and helps us improve on other activities that are appropriate for human development. The approach is not selective; this way, everybody in GoBifo communities is always involved in planning and development. We manage and take ownership of the projects upon completion”.

© Copyright 2005, IRCBP.