TRIANGLE project

The Nuba Mountains lie in the centre of Sudan and cover an area of about 45,000 square kilometers. They exist mostly in state South Kordofan. There is a population of about 2 million, consisting of both Arabic as well as native African communities.

In the region a civil war ended in the mid-eighties between the mainly Islamic North, and the Christian/Animistic south. De numerous communities scattered over the hills and mountains have developed a unique culture over the centuries, untainted by external influences.

Goals overview

As of now there is a maximum of one harvest a year. A second harvest can be made possible if rain from the rain-season is used during the dry season, which will improve the quality of life in the region. This will also result in improved overal health, as well as reduced child mortality. It will further provide an example to local NGO's and others to show them the possibilities of this kind of water harvesting.

Current status

Community mobilization for the realization of both projects has already started. In Lumoraign bricks are ready, and rocks, sand and gravel is available. In Kumoraign people have started making bricks.

Project plan

The TRIANGLE projects started in June 2005 and are partly funded by Cordaid, Impulsis, industrial organizations, banking-institutions, schools and individuals. In the Nuba Mountains people have suffered for 20 years because of a terrible civil war. After having endured murder, rape and destruction of agriculture fields and buildings, it is impossible for the people to start a new life, and generate new income without outside help. There are refugees that would like to come back to their homeland, but so far there has been a lack of facilities to rebuild their lives. Every family is taking care of three, four or five orphans, often children of murdered relatives. At this point every small farmer has just one harvest. Depending the raining season the harvest is just enough for themselves and perhaps a small amount to be sold. At times there is not enough harvest, which results in many cases of starvation. People have lived through 20 years of war followed by 20 years of no development at all. Now need help to improve their lives; not just bringing knowledge and education but also investment in schools, materials and water harvesting.

Abdo held a “marionettes project” in 2008, where a lot of women from different districts enjoyed teaching people how to make puppets. The puppets were used for education about topics such as child soldiers, circumcision, alcoholism and more. It was the first time they met and had discussions about cooperation. A board member in Leira will teach feeding in Shuwaya and more connections between villagers will result, bringing all of them new ideas. Teachers will teach healthcare at the primary schools and Centre for Women and the elder students will be involved in the Pilot Agriculture and Water Harvesting.

Expected outcomes

• Reduce child mortality and improve general health
• Reduce poverty
• Stimulate and promote roof water harvesting

A management structure owned by women has been established. Each ‘Centre for Women’ already has an elected management of 3 women.
All the locally involved women are owners of the Centre for Women, including the agriculture pilot field and water reservoir.
The community is responsible for making the bricks, bringing rocks for the foundation and sand and gravel. For buying cement, gutters, pipelines and the labour costs of the builders (Stichting) Abdo Foundation is responsible.