BACKGROUND

 

The general aim of KIBEC is the consolidation of Peace and the promotion of Social and Economic Development of Kissi Bendu through Cooperation.  Conscious of the situation in Africa and the Mano River Union (MRU) an organisation such as KIBEC is necessary.  KIBEC was founded in 1996 and was registered with the Ministry of Social Welfare, Youths and Sports as an Indigenous Local Voluntary Organisation in Freetown in 1997 under the name: Kissi Bendu Development Association (KIBEDA).  With time, KIBEDA was converted into Cooperation as a result of the philosophy of the Founders, with the name Kissi Bendu Cooperation International (KIBEC).   KIBEC is well aware that food, medication and shelter all stand top on the priority list of the government. Firstly, in the capital city then the provisional headquarters especially after the ten years of war. Notwithstanding, small urban and remote communities  such  as the Kissi Bendu Community do not benefit from the Government and such situation do not augur well for the population in  smaller towns and villages in the countryside.

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 ​​​​This does not in any way or manner disqualify these needs as being unnecessary, on the contrary. KIBEC as a Cooperation looks into the future needs of the Koindu population and the entire Kissi Bendu Community.  Needs that if met now, would eventually create channels whereby the individuals themselves will meet their other basic needs all by themselves. As such KIBEC works on projects which will facilitate the realisation of these long-term needs with the view of equipping the target population in being self-reliant. It is true that the conflict in Sierra Leone has truly ended. This has already led to an influx of returning refugees and internally displaced persons back to their towns and villages. Among these, are the Koindu residents scattered all over the Sierra Leone and the diaspora.  Some are still unable to return, living as internally displaced or as refugees in other countries due to the fact that their houses had been destroyed, there are no jobs and the lack of social and economic activities to be engage in.  Those who have already returned have no choice but to accept the situation, as they find it extremely difficult in accepting the truth that, eventually they as once victims are now living with their former perpetrators or ex-combatants.

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It is also true that the secondary effects caused by the violence will often involve a reduced standard of life for dependants, acute mental agony and in many cases continuing trauma. It is for sure that those who mourn will have to cope with the effects of violence over the long term.  But there is a very large number of others who would face the continuing effects of serious injury, and these include both the injured themselves and those who care for them. It is true that the entire country and especially the little towns and villages (in this case the Kissi Bendu community, the very place where the war first started) will have to start from zero. It is the aim of KIBEC to work towards improving the standard of living in the community, especially the children and women who are really affected by this infamous war and who suffered the most during the years of war.  These women are left with nothing with which to care for their children especially in terms of paying their school fees and buying the necessary school accessories, as such many of these children can’t attend school and they have to help their parents or guardians in the farms and petty trading in other to raise resources for their livelihood.  

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​The future of any nation is determined by the state of its children, their education, opportunities and experiences.  Considering these and the circumstances related to the years of the civil war in the country, KIBEC thought it well to lay a secured foundation for the children of the Kissi Bendu community.  With these in mind KIBEC has decided to set up some projects to help ease the process of healing, reconciliation and re-integration and to facilitate development and reconstruction in the Kissi Bendu community. Cooperational projects like KIBEC is of vital significance in Kissi Bendu rural community where everyone will participate for a better future.

 

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​The objectives of KIBEC are to ensure that:

 

v  Our community people are conscious of the causes and consequences of under-development and poverty which they have been suffering during the past decades.

 

v  To motivate, encourage and support community-oriented development programs which are beneficial to the people using all available resources.

 

v  To create a healthy environment by facilitating equal opportunities for both men and women by eliminating gender biasness; encouraging women participation as equal partners in the community developmental projects.

 

v  To reduce the high rate of illiteracy within the community by helping the community in rebuilding the war-ravaged Kissi Bendu Secondary School regains its academic status of Excellency and all the primary schools in the entire community.

 

v  To work with the people to create a pleasant and healthy environment that will give rise to full       

 

 development of a united and healthy Kissi Bendu Community. Encouraging people to resolve disputes through methods which do not involve the law courts, such as negotiation and mediation.

 

v  To promote an awareness and provide a forum for the presentation of innovative ideas to benefit the local inhabitants and the Kissi Bendu Community.

 

v  To provide a means for cooperative activities socially, economically and spiritually, such activities may include, but not limited to: the holding of competitions, carnivals, exhibitions, scholarships, supply of school materials and fund raising.

 

v    Our community people, (children, youth, men & women) are empowered socially, economically and spiritually

 

v  KIBEC aims to act as a promoter of unity among the sons and daughters and as well as well-wishers of Kissi Bendu community in the Diaspora.

 

v  To empower the community for the full participation of our people in all matters affecting them including civic education, food security, poverty reduction, good health, governmental subsidies and gender issues which has been one of the major issue the community suffered during the past decades.

 

v  To create possibilities for trade and business relationship with other regions within the country and abroad.

 

 

 

If we all work together as a unify team having Kissi Bendu in mind, eventually, through this, Koindu and the entire Kissi Bendu community will recover from its present deplorable state to its former glorious days or better.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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