Brikama Nema Diaspora (BRIND)
Brikama Nema Diaspora is a group of residents from Brikama Nema living in the Diaspora. We are a community of 227 members mainly from the United States, Germany, Sweden, The Gambia, and other parts of Europe and Asia. Our vision is to transform and improve the quality of life in Nema in 3 to 5-years through partnerships with individuals, businesses, agencies, and international organizations across the world.
History
August 18, 2020, a group of youths from Brikama Nema and the Diaspora, formed a WhatsApp platform called “Brikama Nema Diasporian’. The group’s objective is to bring residents of Brikama Nema and those living in the Diaspora to collaborate on development initiatives desired by the community. On November 3, 2020, the group adopted a constitution and completed a formal registration as a non-profit organization called Nema Kabilo Development Association (i.e., NekDA) under the Company’s Act 2003 of the Republic of The Gambia. Around the same period, a Diaspora segment was formed called Brikama Nema Diaspora to reevaluate and strategize a communication plan between the community, regional government, and international stakeholders. A fundraiser was initiated including a roadmap for the formal kickoff in 2021. Since then, the two groups have raised over $8,000 from 160 donors and subscribers.
Vision
Transform Brikama Nema into a model City for development in the West Coast Region of The Gambia by 2025 while safeguarding the religious and cultural aesthetics of the community and natural habitat.
Mission
Rehabilitate, build, and modernize the road infrastructure in Brikama Nema by:
1. Collaborating with community, local government, and international partners to construct or rehabilitate existing infrastructure in Brikama Nema.
2. Acquire and transform the 166,000 square feet of land located at the Old Commissioner’s residence into a recreational center with programs for youth and women entrepreneurship.
3. Promote the socio-economic wellbeing of youth and women in Brikama Nema through sports, recreation, and professional networking events.
4. Draw synergy from the diaspora through advocacy and funding to support the development initiatives of Brikama Nema and its surroundings.
Short-Term
1. Partner with the local community and regional government authorities including Brikama Area Council to install a minimum of 200 solar streetlights by July 15, 2021, at the darkest intersections of Brikama Nema.
2. Grade and compact sections of the road infrastructure where rainwater poses a serious risk to the population and ecosystem in 60 days
3. Remove and clear hazardous waste within 200 feet of residential areas by July 31, 2021.
Long-Term
1. Construction of a 15-mile road network with standard drainage systems linking the residents of Brikama Nema with access to clean and reliable water; sanitation, and critical infrastructures such as healthcare centers, marketplaces, and public service facilities.
2. Work with regional and central government authorities to acquire and transform the 166,000 square feet of land located at the old Commissioner’s residence in Brikama Nema into a recreational center with programs for youth and women entrepreneurship.
Funding
Required funding towards the full implementation of the program is estimated in millions, however, the group is working with regional government authorities to purchase and install 200 solar streetlights in the next 45 days. The average cost per solar streetlight with poles is estimated at $100 or $200 each.
Justification
1) Brikama Nema is the administrative capital of the West Coast Region. It is also the main transport hub to all major towns, villages, and the entire sub-region of the West Coast Region. Because of the geographic location of Brikama Nema, it has the potential to create employment opportunities for youths and women to support the local economy.
2) Brikama Nema has one of the worst internal road networks in the region making it almost impossible to access critical infrastructures, such as healthcare centers, marketplaces, and public service facilities in the rainy season. A good road network in Brikama Nema means improved access to the health center, the market for safer nutrition, and easy access to public safety institutions.
3) Brikama Nema is densely populated and faces urban disaster risks such as floods, fire, and illegal dumping of hazardous waste. Because of this reason, stagnant water from heavy rainfall has become a serious risk to the population and ecosystem. Torrential rains and floods have also contributed to the degradation of waterways that could lead to the destruction of life and property. Therefore, building a standard drainage system that links the residents of Brikama Nema with clean and reliable water; sanitation, and critical infrastructures is necessary.
4) In the last decade, many families in Brikama Nema ached from the massive exodus of youths and women attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea through the Sahara into Europe. Many died and others raped or enslaved as they raft their way into Europe in search of economic opportunities. A recreation center with engineering programs, sports, and entrepreneurship will boost the socio-economic wellbeing of youth and women in Brikama Nema.
5) Brikama Area Council's main source of revenue comes from property rates, refuse collection, and municipal maintenance. Revenue from parking meters under this project at busy intersections means more revenue for the Council with less overhead cost on maintenance. A good road network in Brikama Nema will facilitate the free flow of trade between towns and surrounding villages. Trade between towns and villages will contribute to the development of the local economy and create new revenue streams for the Council.
6) The current Car Park is centrally located and possesses all the attributes for a Transit Hub that can be transformed into a mixed-use facility for residents of Brikama. The ingredients are there for intracity bus and taxi service for Brikama and her surrounding villages.
7) There are also unconfirmed reports of criminal activity around the vicinity of Brikama, ranging from allegations of theft, and rape against women vendors during wee hours of the morning on their way to the market.
Because of these concerns, Brikama Nema Diaspora in partnership with Nema Kabilo Development Association (NekDA), the Brikama Area Council, and the Governor of West Coast Region (The Gambia) is on a mission to design, engineer, and build modern infrastructure with the help of our associate GEOBPRO – an urban planning and engineering advisory group based in the Netherlands.
Together, we hope to exceed our target by July 15, 2021, to fund the installation of 200 solar streetlights, purchase 15 loads of gravel, and six (6) loads of sand to grade and compact neighborhoods in Nema where stormwater from heavy rainfall a concern for public health and safety. Brikama Area Council will fund 60% of the total contribution raised and provide equipment and material to compact busy intersections identified by the community. The Brikama Nema Diaspora will fund 30% of the target contribution of which 26% has already been raised. We need your help to raise the remaining 10% on behalf of the community so that we can complete the work.
