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2012 Annual Report - Share, embed or download your copy.

Missed the 2012 annual report? You can now read it here, download, embed to your website or share online. Enjoy

ICOD Action Network Annual Report 2012 by ICOD Action Network

Our unique Model

ICOD Action Network believes that the best and last solutions to every challenge are those developed from within communities or sustained by local communities if developed by NGOs or government. ICOD Action Network brings together innovation, community development and sustainability to create lasting social change in rural communities. ICOD Action Network partners with communities to build sustainable responses to communities challenges. 

Innovation and Education

With the establishment of a solar powered Internet Center in 2010, communities now have access to better online information resources. ICOD ACTION NETWORK believes that access to information and literacy is critical to personal and economic empowerment, so our programming is centered on easing communities access to information.

In many of the communities where we work, ICOD Action Network  has  become a vital resource for farmers, women and youth  and our projects have provided a forum for communities to share skills and ideas.

Community Development

ICOD Action Network operates on the belief that communities are in the best position to assess their own needs and strengths and generate the best responses to overcome them. It is critical to our model that we partner with communities  and fully involve them in all projects. ICOD Action Network staff spend time educating communities about our model, level of participation required and setting long-term goals.

Community participation

An important part of our model is establishing true partnerships with communities. In addition to ICOD Action Network investment, each community contributes own resources  - no matter how small, to tackle identified problems. Communities have always contributed training venue, local resources, schools and religious institutions have also provided training venues during our farmer engagement sessions. As a result, everyone in the community feels invested in the success of our projects. Participation has helped communities embrace ownership and management of all projects implemented by ICOD Action Network.

WHY OUR MODEL IS WORKING

• Engages community leaders, local experts, volunteers, our staff and other development partners in collaborative practices to overcome challenges.
• Energizes community motivation and engagement through discussions and active participation in our activities. 
• Uses information technology to connect communities to “outside world” to learn, share and network.
• Sets clear expectations and provides opportunity for teamwork, contribution and use of local resources.
• Builds a new group of local leaders and inspires them to continuously mobilize and encourage communities to take part in development initiatives.
• Develops local leaders critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Offers space for ICOD Action Network staff and communities to analyze progress, evaluate impact and set new targets
• Builds a collaborative practice within communities, and beyond
• Integrates structures for assessment and data-informed practice that communities understand and embrace.
• Our model is a concrete model for sustainable community development. 

Change of our website address.

Hello Family,
Are you aware that our website was moved to a new address? We are now at www.icodactionnetwork.org

We apologose for the inconvience caused.

ICOD Action Network Team

Five Thousand Trees

When ICOD turned five years old they decided they wanted to do something big… they decided to plant five thousand trees. After being denied money from multiple donors to support this project, instead of giving up, they found another way. 

Jack fruit trees in a nursery bed

They decided to connect with youth groups, children think of the now, they think about the food they want to eat for dinner and what they are going to do tomorrow. Adults, they think about the far future, how they are going to pay for their children’s university fees and how they are going to get food on the table. So they reached out to schools where the students were involved in environment and agriculture groups. 

A child with a Jack fruit tree donated by ICOD Action Network

They asked the students “if you could plant any tree what would you plant?” they almost all answered “Fene” also known as Jack fruit. So they started collecting seeds and planting them in nursery plots. Once they have sprouted and started to grow they take the seedlings to the classes and do permaculture training on how to plant their trees, take care of them, and encourage them to grow. Once the Jack fruit are matured they will not only provide shade, but also fruit which can feed the family and give them something to sell at the markets for additional income. It was very exciting to be involved in planting the seeds for tomorrow.

Source: GlobeMed at Arizona State University

ICOD Action Network - GlobeMed at Arizona State University House and Sanitation Project update #2

Enjoy this set of pictures from the assessment and tell us your favorite.

ICOD Action Network - GlobeMed at Arizona State University House and Sanitation Project update #1

Do you know how we selected the household we are constructing a new house and pit latrine in partnership with GlobeMed at Arizona State University? Here is how we did it #UNIQUE; 50 households affected by HIV/AIDS we selected in the first phase of the planning process. Our staff and local leaders selected 10 out of the 50 that were either moderately or critically vulnerable. Out of the 10 households that our staff and local leaders visited and assessed using the Vulnerability Index, one household headed by a widow was finally selected after a community Dialogue that was attended by Lyantonde District leaders, our staff, village local leaders and community members. Here are some of the pictures from the households assessment.