The spirit of Transformational Community Development (TCD) is flourishing within the Bankim cluster, as the Bankim and Nguingklo communities work diligently to improve their living conditions. This strong sense of camaraderie has been built over more than a year of dedicated effort, led by Elodge and Amadou. Their journey with TCD began unexpectedly when they attended a menstrual hygiene training workshop.

The training inspired renewed hope for the future of the Bankim community. Reflecting on the experience, Elodge shared, “I came to the meeting accidentally, and since then I have been encouraging the coordinator to come to our village, as we were suffering—especially from a lack of potable water and essential health training. My heart was lifted when he promised to come and then fulfilled that promise.”

Bankim is a diverse community composed of Tikar, Mambila, and Mbororo ethnic groups who live together harmoniously. The community was originally displaced from the Mape Dam site when their settlements were submerged by rising waters in 1987. The current settlement, which is less than 40 years old, continues to face significant adaptation challenges.

The community’s health infrastructure is inadequate. Although Bankim has a health center as well as primary, secondary, and high schools, the health center remains poorly equipped. Water, sanitation, and hygiene conditions are alarming, with approximately 80% of the population practicing open defecation. Water testing conducted at household and community sources revealed high microbial contamination, rendering the water unsafe for drinking. As one of the community’s queen mothers lamented, “We do not have a choice; we drink and fall sick all the time. What else can we do?” In the short term, residents are advised to boil water before drinking while long-term solutions are pursued.

December marked a turning point for Bankim and Nguingklo, bringing renewed hope with the drilling of two deep boreholes—one in each community. Construction is currently underway on an elevated water tower, stand taps, and other essential infrastructure. A solar-powered submersible pump has been installed, and water is already being used for construction purposes. The sight of clean water gushing from the borehole sparked excitement, particularly among women and children. By the end of March, we aim to complete both the infrastructure and community training, enabling a large portion of the population to access clean, affordable water.

Drawing from their Transformational Community Development (TCD) training, Elodge and Amadou mobilized the community into functional development groups. These groups now play a vital role in supporting project implementation by providing accommodation, subsistence, and in-kind labor for technicians. Looking ahead, a TCD worker has been identified to oversee community training and reporting. Continued training will be essential to ensure the long-term sustainability and impact of TCD.

Thank you!

Written by Mirabel, GHNI Volunteer