SAWBO Communications | Monthly Newsletter | February 2017

View this email in your browser

DRAWING A BETTER WORLD

RESETTLEMENT GUIDE FOR PEOPLE AFFECTED BY DAM DEVELOPMENT

We are proud to announce the release of our newest animation about resettlement. This animation explains the process of resettlement due to a large development projects such as a dam. It shows the rights affected communities have during this process. International Rivers, a global organization focused on protecting rivers and the rights of the communities that are dependent on rivers, contacted SAWBO to collaborate and create this animation. We are happy to have worked with a great team of individuals to create an animation on such an important topic.

Individuals (left to right): Ange Asanzi, Rudo Sanyanga, Josh Klemm, and David Gordon
Photo credit: International Rivers, Africa Team

In 1985, International Rivers was formed in California, USA, by a small group of volunteers to protect the world’s rivers from the challenges of dam projects and amplify the voices of dam-affected communities, who were bearing the costs of rampant dam development. Over time the organization has transformed and expanded into five regional programs operating from Brazil, India, South Africa, Thailand, and China.

The Africa program was registered in South Africa in 2013 and has offices in Pretoria and currently has four staff members, Rudo, Ange, Josh (Policy Director based in Washington DC), and David (Program Supervisor based in Berkeley). The program focuses on regional and national threats to rivers while connecting these threats to larger issues of human rights, food security, energy poverty, health, and climate change. To boost our capacity and effectiveness, we work closely with local, national, and international partners to reach affected people on the ground and advance our goals. Our work is informed by the needs in the field, by research, and by the opportunities available to instill change.

Developing the resettlement guide and getting the animation produced was one of our most exciting projects in 2016 and 2017. We give credit to the University of Washington School of Law students and our allies Lien de Brouckere, Kirk Herbertson, and Jennifer Lenga-Long who worked with us to make this idea a reality. It started as a project specifically to support the Inga 3 communities but we soon realized its potential to sensitize dam-affected communities throughout the African continent and beyond. SAWBO has been a great partner who helped us get where we are. We hope and believe that this product will reach many people and help empower them.

- International Rivers, Africa Team

ANIMATIONS IN OUR VIDEO LIBRARY

We have over 550 different animations in our Video Library, with over 60 different topics, in more than 100 languages variants. Here are a few highlighted animations:

POSTHARVEST LOSS: SALT TESTING FOR GRAIN MOISTURE LEVELS IN FON (ACCENT FROM BENIN)

This animation explains a method to test if your grain has a low enough moisture level for you to store it. This technique utilizes salt to help determine the moisture level in your grain.

NATURAL INSECTICIDE FROM NEEM SEEDS IN KANNADA (ACCENT FROM INDIA)

Naturally occurring insecticidal compounds can be extracted from neem seeds and sprayed onto crops to prevent pest insect damage. This animation explains how to prepare the solution necessary for spraying on the crops.

MICROFINANCE 6: HOW TO HOLD A MEETING IN SPANISH (ACCENT FROM URUGUAY)

This animation explains how to hold a meeting. We discuss the core activities that need to occur at all meetings. This is the sixth out of six microfinance animations in this animation series.

CHARCOAL WATER FILTRATION IN ASANTE TWI (ACCENT FROM GHANA)

The following animation explains the process of developing charcoal filtration systems using sand. It is a simple process that helps to remove many, but not all, pollutants in water that can otherwise cause health problems.

POSTHARVEST LOSS: BAG TRANSPORTATION IN FRENCH (ACCENT FROM DR CONGO)

This animation explains how to transport grains using best practices for bag transportation. It deals with how to prepare the truck beds and the use of tarps to minimize postharvest losses during transportation of the grain.

WE ARE WORKING ON IT

These are some of the projects we are working on that will be available soon in our Video Library. Please help us work faster and reach our goals. A donation of any amount is greatly appreciated, and goes a long way towards ensuring the completion of these and other projects.

SHARING KNOWLEDGE USING THE SAWBO DEPLOYER APP

This animation will show how the SAWBO Deployer app can travel with our collaborators to help spread knowledge to many people and communities across the globe.

POSTHARVEST LOSS: IMPROVED BEAN PRODUCTION

We are creating an animation that shows several steps you can take to improve your bean production. Common beans are an important source of food and income for farmers and families.

LINKS
OF
INTEREST

GLOBAL PULSE DAY REPORT

SAWBO was happy to participate in Global Pulse Day last month. The official highlights report is now available. Please follow this link to see how people and organizations around the world celebrated that day.

ZIKA PERSISTS IN SEMEN, BUT VIRAL SHEDDING STOPS IN MOST CASES IN A FEW MONTHS

A new study suggests at least half of men who have been infected with Zika will emit traces of the virus in their semen, but in most cases that viral shedding stops after about three months.

DONATE TO SAWBO

YOUR DONATION WILL GO WHERE IT IS NEEDED MOST.

SAWBO RELEASES ALL OF OUR ANIMATIONS FREELY FOR ANY EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES. IF YOU HAVE THE MEANS TO DONATE, PLEASE CLICK HERE. YOUR DONATION WILL HELP US CONTINUE TO MAKE CONTENT AND TO PROVIDE THAT CONTENT FREELY TO THE WORLD.