BACKGROUND
Nigeria presents a unique development challenge. Its striking income disparity – so much poverty in the midst of so much wealth – is difficult to comprehend and must inform any attempt to alleviate poverty. Nigeria has one of the largest land areas, oil, and other natural and human resources, in sub-Saharan Africa. However the economic policies implemented in the 1980s and 1990s and a number of other political issues have had significant adverse impacts on the nation’s economic growth and welfare. The country ranks 152 in the World Poverty index (Human Development Reports, 2003, UNDP. 2003), with rural poverty higher than urban poverty, and it is estimated that half of all rural women are living below the poverty line.”Development Issues in Southern Kaduna
The Federal Republic of Nigeria is comprised of 36 states and 1 territory, which are divided into 6 geo-political zones: South-South, South-West, South-East, North-East, North West, and North-Central. Kaduna State is in the North Central zone, approximately 2 hours from Abuja (the capital of Nigeria), and is made up of 23 local government areas with a population of about 5 million people. Kafanchan is the local government headquarters of Jema’a local government in Southern Kaduna State.Fantsuam Foundation is located in BayanLoco, a peri-urban slum of Kafanchan, Kaduna State, but our activities and our vision extend beyond Kafanchan toward the whole of Southern Kaduna. There are a number of development challenges faced by residents of Southern Kaduna, the priority being the reduction of poverty. The lack of jobs and income infrastructure including safe housing has also contributed to the poor health sector, and many residents do not have access to affordable and good health care facilities or services. The rural urban migration has led to the brain drain of many professionals to the urban areas to seek employment.
Of the key development areas that Fantsuam Foundation has identified in Southern Kaduna, in this strategy paper, FF is defining three priority areas in which they will focus their efforts for the next three years: Sustainable Livelihoods, Health and HIV/AIDS, the latter of which will be mainstreamed through all of our activities.
