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Activity 3

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How does Oxfam work with people to overcome the causes of poverty?

Rokia Traore lives with her children in northern Mali, West Africa. Her life was devastated when the seasonal rains didn't come, killing the family's animals and crops. Her husband went to the capital city to earn some money for the family, but she hasn't heard from him for a few months. But after a "cash for work" scheme run by her community with support from Oxfam, she is beginning to get her children's health and education back on track. Now she faces the difficult decision of whether or not to give up her family's small piece of land and way of life (and community support that comes with it) as the rains are becoming less and less reliable.

Oxfam is in the region, working with local community organisations and other aid agencies to see how they can support Rokia and others in a similar position to get some control back over their lives. The support offered to Rokia is varied, and they each benefit her family in many ways. 

Here is what happens next…  (click the different scenarios to see what happens)

  • Rokia starts a new business

    Rokia is given a business loan which she uses to set up a kiosk in a nearby town to earn some additional income. 

  • Rokia rejuvenates her land…

    Oxfam provides Rokia with tools, seeds and more training on irrigation techniques (based on learning from other pastoralists in West Africa). The rains eventually come and her land is fertile again. Rokia is happy that if the rains fail next season, they will be better able to deal with it.

  • Moussa comes home…

    When Moussa failed to find work in Bamako, he felt powerless and unable to return home without being able to support his family as he'd promised. But when the rains finally came, he rushed home to tend the land. Through Oxfam Unwrapped, the Traore family's animals are restocked. They have a bit more control for now, and are more likely to withstand the effects of drought in the future.

  • Other families don’t face the same situation…

    Oxfam supports community leaders to get their voices heard by the Malian government. Then Oxfam pressures the government to 1) develop food reserves to feed families during periods of food shortages, and 2) provide better access to fertile land for animals to graze on during the dry season (this kind of land is usually allocated to sugar plantations). Oxfam also works to challenge prejudices about rural dwellers within the government, and also through the media.