IRT MAGAZINE Bridges v1. MAY 2015

DROP OF HOPE PAGE 30

IR ASSISTANCE TO REFUGEES PAGE 20

EDUCATION...

Hope...

MY MY

PAGE 28

KEBILLI,

SUCCESS STORY PAGE 24

www.islamic-relief.org

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EDITORIAL

In

spired by the humanitarian commitment to bridge communities to equal shares of descent life, Islamic Relief Worldwide spares no effort to contribute in noble activism regardless to the beneficiaries’ gender, ethnicity and creed.

Dr. Abdelmonem DAYMI Country Director ISLAMIC RELIEF TUNISIA

In fact, the catastrophic humanitarian situation experienced by Libya during the 2011 revolution imposed the existence of many local and international NGOs on the Tunisian-Libyan borders in response to the needs of the influx of the thousands refugees with different nationalities. Hence, the starting point of IRW existence in Tunisia. Thus, as usual IRW participated significantly in collaboration with UNHCR to support refugees escaping from Lybia during its revolution. After a long period of intensive relief work, IRW got more and more close to the Tunisian community and civil society and formulated a wide vision about the country’s socio-economic situation.

its effort into the creation of projects that tend to support the vulnerable category in the Tunisian society in different fields such as child protection, economic empowerment, and water & sanitation.

To guarantee the success of its projects and to further boost its geographical spread, IRW opened its Tunis office in addition to its Medenine office. Indeed besides its seasonal projects like Qurbani, Ramadhan and winter campaign, IRT implemented and is in the process of implementing sustainable programs such as “Support to Livelihoods” in Kebilli, “My Education My Hope” in Mednine and “A Drop of Hope” in 10 different governorates across the country.

It is worth noting that in line with its strategy, IRT is working in a total coordination with the governmental institutions at the local and national levels which is considered to be an asset for the organization that paved the way for the success of its projThe post Tunisian revolution ects in Tunisia. period was a fertile environment for the development of human- Finally, this magazine entitled itarian and social work since it “the bridge” tends to present was almost nihilistic in the pre- briefly IRT’s harvest of about two revolution period ,which in its years work in Tunisia from 2014 turn, made IRW believe strongly to early 2015 in an attempt to in the necessity of its stay in value the great efforts provided Tunisia in order to contribute in by the brave IRT team in coorthe development of the country. dination with and support of the Therefore, apart from its hard Governmental institutions, IRW work with the asylum seekers in Head Quarter, donors, stakeholdthe south of Tunisia in partner- ers and media institutions. ship with UNCHR, IRW developed

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#INSIDE IRT

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INDEX

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Building Relationships through Improved Delivery of Growing Essential Services” (BRIDGES)

MAGAZINE 6 BACKGROUND Islamic Relief currently delivers programmes that benefit vulnerable people in over 30 countries worldwide.Our work includes lifesaving emergency relief and early recovery, as well as development programmes that protect communities and improve the lives of some of the poorest families on the planet.

13 FOCUS ! »» p6

Islamic Relief Tunisia strategic priorities respond to humanitarian, economical and social trends in the country and emerging challenges.

20 ON THE FRONT LINE OF ...

Islamic Relief build strong relationship with UNHCR to assist and better integrate refugees in Tunisia.After four years working on assisting refugees and asylum seekers at different levels, from camp based assistance to the urban settlement approach, .

24 SUSTAINABLE PROJECTS

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It was not long before he and the other farmers began to see progress, as Islamic Relief gave them materials and tools to repair their greenhouses. He then used the seedlings and fertilisers provided by the scheme to plant fresh crops, and secured his first harvest within weeks.

28 MY EDUCATION ...

The Reading Campaign is our engagement and concern that talks about all the great things reading does for kids. Reading is essential to the quality of education, and to kids’ ability to play their role in the community.

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Orphaned and poor children are amongst the most vulnerable in Tunisia, a country in which some 15.5 per cent of the population are thought to live beneath the poverty line. When the cold winter months come, it is harder than ever for children from poor families to go to school ...

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Background IR-WORLDWIDE

Islamic Relief currently delivers programmes that benefit vulnerable people in over 30 countries worldwide.Our work includes life-saving emergency relief and early recovery, as well as development programmes that protect communities and improve the lives of some of the poorest families on the planet.

Islamic Relief is a network of 13 international organisations working together to deliver relief and development programmes.

Since its establishment in 1984 in Bermingham UK, Islamic Relief World Wide has long been serving humanity all over the word regardless to the beneficiaries’ gender, ethnicity and creed.

This is undertaken through field country offices established in 29

priority countries with over 1,800 staff worldwide and a financial growth, which almost doubled from £93 Million in 2011 to more than £180 Million in 2014. This great financial growth enabled our organization to effectively reach much more people in need and to play an even bigger role influencing International Decision Makers, at a time when humanitarian crises are increasing daily. Islamic Relief’s strategic focus areas are: Protecting Life and Dignity through enabling communities to reduce the risks and effects of disasters by preparation for their occurrence, hazard mitigation, and timely response through providing effective relief, protection

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and recovery. Mainstreaming and rolling-out DRR programmes and capacity building at a local and national level and climate change adaptation initiatives.

Empowering Communities and it is designed to alleviate poverty at community level through integrated and sustainable development.

Campaigning for Change focus aiming to support the marginalised and vulnerable to voice their needs and address root causes of poverty and suffering.

Strengthening the IR partnership which will build a governance system and infrastructure for the growing IR global partnership. IRW is a signatory to the code of conduct for the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and NGOs in Disaster Relief, Humanitarian Accountability Partnership and People in Aid

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RAISING OUR PROFILE ISLAMIC RELIEF GLOBAL STRATEGY 2011-2015

MAP IRW Together we have served humanity for over 31 years, striving to make the world a better, fairer place.

Looking ahead, we aim to build on our strengths, learn from our experiences and bring about real social change. Guided by our faith, we work to help vulnerable communities meet the big challenges in their lives. We do this by taking an integrated approach; looking at the wider context and causes of their needs and promoting sustainable development outcomes. We are determined to empower marginalized people with a strong voice that argues powerfully for the change they need to transform their lives.

Right across the Islamic Relief global family, our strategy focuses our resources, planning and programming on achieving these important aims. We will continue to

Our mission

work in partnership with those that share our vision of a world in which empowered and socially responsible communities respond as one to the suffering of others. We will also continue to develop as an excellent service provider and policy leader, representing our faith and providing guidance on a range of critical social issues.

Our Global Strategy 2011-2015 outlines how we aim to deliver on our promises and fulfil our duty to mankind, and ultimately, to God.

Exemplifying our Islamic values, we will mobilise resources, build partnerships, and develop local capacity, as we work to : • Enable communities to mitigate the effect of disasters, prepare for their occurrence and respond by providing relief, protection and recovery.

• Promote integrated development and environmental custodianship with a focus on sustainable livelihoods.

• Support the marginalised and vulnerable to voice their needs and address root causes of poverty.

• We allocate these resources regardless of race, political affiliation, gender or belief, and without expecting anything in return.

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Our vision Islamic Relief envisages a caring world where communities are empowered, social obligations are fulfilled and people respond as one to the suffering of others.

Our values We are guided by the timeless values and teachings of the Qur’an and Prophetic example (Sunnah), which recognise that people with wealth have a duty to those who are less fortunate. Our values are: • Sincerity (Ikhlas) • Excellence (Ihsan) • Compassion (Rahma) • Social Justice (Adl) • Custodianship (Amana)

irdigital.org

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WELCOME HOME

TUNISIA Home of the ancient city of Carthage, Tunisia has long been an important player in the Mediterranean, placed as it is in the centre of North Africa, close to vital shipping routes. In their time, the Romans, Arabs, Ottoman Turks and French realised its strategic significance, Tunisia always succeeded in making it a hub for control over bouncing back and proudly rising the region. against all odds to the rank of nations. Like a reed, Tunisia bends but never breaks; a model of resiliency and courage.

Tunisia is certainly a small country, but the determination of its people to shape its own destiny is immense. It takes its inspiration from the great Sociologist “Ibn Khaldoun” to the well esteemed national poet “Abou Kacem Chebbi”, who evoked the “will to live.”

The richness of Tunisia are its men and women with brave heart; its citizens shaping their everyday lives; its youth and elderly united and different, its doors are always open for foreigners.

From north to south and from east to west, the warm welcome comes with a sparkling glance and a smile.

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THE COUNTRY AT A GLANCE

Capital Tunis Government

Republic

Currency

Tunisian Dinar (TND)

Area total

163,61km²

Population

10,982,754 (2014)

Language

Arabic

Religion

Muslim 98%

Electricity 127-220V/50Hz (European plug)

Ghorfas

Life expectancy

74 years (men), 77 years (women)

Main exports

Agricultural products, textiles, oil

GDP per capita

US $4,316.7 (World Bank, 2013-14)

Country code

+216

Internet TLD

.tn

Time Zone

UTC +1

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‫ﺫﺍﺕ ﺃﻭﻟﻮﻳﺔ ﻟﻠﻤﻨﻈﻤﺔ‬ PRIORITY FOR IRT ‫ﺍﻟﻤﻜﺘﺐ ﺍﻟﺮﺋﻴﺴﻲ‬ MAIN OFFICE ‫ﻣﻜﺎﺗﺐ ﻣﻴﺪﺍﻧﻴﺔ‬ FIELD OFFICES ‫ﺗﻨﻔﻴﺬ ﺍﻟﻤﺸﺎﺭﻳﻊ‬ PROJECTS IMPLEMENTATION

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FOCUS COUNTRY STRATEGY AND PLAN FORWARD Islamic Relief Tunisia strategic priorities respond to humanitarian, economical and social trends in the country and emerging challenges.

must be bridged, and women are exploring new freedoms since the fall of the Ben Ali regime.

Unemployment affect more than 20% of the young population.

The social demands came from The revolution in Tunisia lead by remote regions where poverty civil society sparked the 2011 and unemployment rates are Arab Awakening — a dynamic high. Figures for extreme poverty historical moment that is trans- are also fairly high in these areas. forming the entire region. Wide socio-economic disparities Targeting the most vulnerable remain one of the main social areas in Tunisia challenges faced by Tunisia, despite the alleviation of poverty The northwestern region of over the last decade (from 32.4% Tunisia targeted by IRT country in 2000 to 15.5% in 2010). Global strategic plan poses the greatest inequalities have reduced, with Tunisian Regional paradox: this a decline in the Gini Index from agricultural region known as one 0.37 in 2000 to 0.35 in 2010 . As of the most preferred and richest a result, Tunisia is ranked 90th in of Tunisia is also the poorest the UNDP Human Development human region relative to other Index with a population of 11 regions of Tunisia: It is the region millions in 2014. Despite the where life expectancy at birth is decrease in inequalities at the the shortest (56-Avg. Nat. 60). national level, regional dispari- This region as defined includes ties have continued to increase, the four governorates of Beja, further polarizing the society and lead to the revolution of 2011.

Young people, who comprise 50 percent of the country’s population, led the revolution and play a vital role in the country’s transition Tunisia revolution reveled the huge disparities between region and that the Government neglect left public services in rural communities in southern and North West of Tunisiia.

An extreme urban-rural divide

Jendouba, Kef and Siliana; it is spread over 16,256 km2 or 10.4% of the national territory, while its population of 1,068,000 inhabitants in 1980, representing 16.8% of the Tunisian population.The new Government in 2014 initiated a broad program of emblematic reforms to strengthen governance and social accountability, including more inclusive and participatory approach which is fundamental for shared and sustainable growth and poverty reduction. Unemployment rate in some governorates of northwestern regions is more than the national figure.

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Feeling left out in Tunisia’s to light. While regions are making South, particularly for children significant progress in enrolling, and orphans for example, almost all children in primary education, major probThe Tunisian government has lems persist in the pre-schooling, managed to put in place strate- schooling and quality of teachgies and programs to provide a ing in disadvantaged areas of supportive environment for the the country are targeted by the well-being of children for over 50 strategic plan of Islamic Relief years. These achievements are in Tunisia. The finding of these visible in various fields includ- socio-economic disparities and ing those of the right to the pro- gender barriers are major chaltection of the right to education lenges to enable all children to and the right to health. However, access their rights. Of course, despite all these achievements, free and universal access to it is clear that progress on some school for girls and boys aged aspects were not at the rendez- 6 is reached for more than a vous, and many children are still decade. Similarly, the completion deprived of their basic rights as of a full course of primary edustipulated in the Convention on cation targeted by the Millennium the Rights of Child adopted by the Development Goal is considered United Nations in 1989 and since achieved with a net enrollment ratified by 192 nations, including rate of 97.7% for the age group Tunisia. of 6 and 11 years. However, it From this analysis emerges should be noted that every year a sense of urgency that the 60,000 à 80,000 children of comTunisian revolution has brought pulsory school age (6-16 years)

leave school and go to swell the ranks of the unemployed, the rate is already very high (15.2% INS).

Similarly, all children and young people do not seem to have the same opportunities for access to recreation. Those enrolled can enjoy recreational activities in institutions but all the school facilities are not equipped with the same level of equipment resulting in unequal access to recreation.

The reasons are related to economic and social difficulties that result in an increase in poverty calling for more intensive social interventions and better targeted social transfers to vulnerable groups and poor families. Lack of investment in favor of the child at a young age, often leading to irreversible situations and helps to accentuate the phenomenon of marginalization. Poverty, poor sanitation and lack of education are factors that deprive children of their dignity, dissipate their hopes and life threatening.

The situation of orphans in this context is even direr because of a private or relatives, they are left without protection, very vulnerable.

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Plan forward IR Tunisia for the coming 2015 will focus its interventions on Education, livelihood improvement, Urban refugee settlement , water Sanitation and hygiene improvement, WASH, disaster risk reduction and emergency response and Interventions The disaster risk reduction activities include building communitybased awareness and capacity on understanding of climate change and their warning signs, preparedness measures, and disaster response among vulnerable communities.

Pure drinking water and proper sanitation facilities will be established through implementing schools and community managed WASH projects.

IR Tunisia will be working to empower women and youth, especially in marginalized areas to develop productive initiatives that move forward the spirit of change that began with the Arab Awakening.

Every year 60,000 Ă 80,000 children of compulsory school age (6-16 years) leave school and go to swell the ranks of the unemployed.

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2014

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UNHCR REFUGEES ASSISTANCE

482,609 $ 37,000 €

593 BENEFICIARIES

IRW

IRW

QURBANI

190 FAMILIES

34,755 €

RAMADAN

1832 FAMILIES

IRW 20,000 $

327,150 $

SCHOOL FEEDING PROGRAMME

278 PUPILS

IRUSA LIVELIHOOD INTERVENTION IN KEBILLI 420 FAMILIES

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IRW

296,520.00

€

FLOODS EMERGENCY RESPONSE IN JENDOUBA 160 FAMILIES

27,368 $

IRSWISS

219,628.00

WARM ME UP !

WINTER CAMPAIGN

700 ORPHANS AND NEEDY CHILDREN

2015

IRUSA YOU MATTER TO ME

300 ORPHANS 50 WIDOWS

UNHCR REFUGEES ASSISTANCE

334 BENEFICIARIES

IRUSA 810,132.00 €

2,000,000.00

$

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DROP OF HOPE 12500 BENEFICIARIES

B&M Gates 1740,000.000 260,000.000 ROTA MY EDUCATION...

MY HOPE...

131390 BENEFICIARIES

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on the front LINE

of refugeeS INTEGRATION PARTNERS • Objective1: Peaceful co-existence with local community • Objective2: Population has optimal access to education • Objective3: Self-reliance and livelihood improved.

THE CONTEXT

The project objective.

Islamic Relief build strong relationship with UNHCR to assist and better integrate refugees in Tunisia.

After four years working on assisting refugees and asylum seekers at different levels, from camp based assistance to the urban settlement approach, Islamic Relief has gained very important experience in working as a partner of UNHCR in Tunisia. In this regard, IRT has achieved some of the set objectives, like in education, whereby refugees and asylum seekers children have been enrolled in Tunisian schools in the south. In order to pursue the urban local settlement program, UNHCR and IRT have decided to extend their partnership to support the persons of concern (POCs) in Southern Tunisia.

The main objective of the project is to strengthen refugees and asylum seekers urban settlements in Tunisia through providing access to formal education, language and IT courses and community services in southern of Tunisia. The specific objectives of the projects are:

Islamic Relief aims to work on facilitating the urban settlement program and assistance for the refugees and asylum seekers through the following actions: •Follow up and assistance to refugees who already started an apprenticeship programme and a micro-project in 2014 •Education for the refugees and asylum seekers children in the south and provision of need support to the related sector

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•Enrolment in language courses to reinforce their ability of communication and interaction with local community The project main achievements: Education: IRT managed to enroll asylum seekers’ children in Tunisian schools which proved to be a premiere. In 2013-14 school yea, IR team could enroll 49 refugee children as follows: 2 in pre-school, 38 in primary and 9 in pre-secondary educations. A follow up is conducted through the provision of the required school material, tutorial courses in French and Arabic as well as psychological support. The children were registered in Child centers, organizing trips and “GO and See” visits to practice different activities and interact with their Tunisian peers. Pedagogic instruction was also given to teachers in order to familiarize them with the context of refugees which facilitated integration for the target beneficiaries.

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Micro Projects: A business management training took place on December 2014th to encourage the refugees on starting their own projects and become self reliant.

Actually, 2 micro projects were delivered during 2014 for two refugees.

with the UNHCR, the IRT Child Centre could provide a recreational center in Benguerdane. The center aims to offer refugee children and youth with a suitable area to practice entertainment activities and creative skills within a safe and secure environment.

Job opportunities: it consists in integrating refugees and asylum seekers in the Tunisian labor market. In this regard IRT has conducted an Employment forum regrouping refugees, businessmen, government officials and representatives of all stakeholders involved in this issue on June 25th.

Trips: in order to let the refugees

familiarized with the local Tunisian traditions and culture, many trips to different resorts: Jerba, Matmata and Tozeur.

Vocational training: It aims at practical integration of the refugees in the new environment. In 2014, 15 refugees got training diplomas: fourteen in hairdressing and one in sewing.

Language and IT Training: In terms of languages and IT, twenty six refugees were trained in Medenine and Benguerdane.

December 14th: A trip to Djerba for children in coordination with Benguerdane Child Center.

Food Security: IRT in coordination with UNHCR has provided refugees with monthly cash assistance, rent fees for vulnerable cases, vouchers for Ramadhan and clothes in Eid. Recreational activities: Since November 8th, 2014, in cooperation

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Campaigning for Change: June 18th to 20th : Celebrating the World Refugee Day. IRT, UNHCR, TRC and refugees celebrated the World refugee day starting from June 18th to June 20th 2014 in Medenine.

Celebrating the 16 days of Activism campaign against Gender Based Violence:

December 25th: a trip to Djerba for youth refugees.

December 27th: 11 refugees’ children participated in a trip to Matmata and Douz Festival in coordination with Benguerdane child centre.

Emergency preparedness: Starting from August and during the first half of September, IRT was part of the UNHCR preparedness plan for the Libya Emergency. In the same framework, IRT has procured NFIs, kitchen sets and Hygiene kits and stored them in Medenine Warehouse.

On November 25th, IRT, TRC and UNHCR agreed on implementing activities in the framework of the celebration of the 16 days of activism campaign against gender based violence. The events started on November 25th 2014 and ended on December 10th 2014.

First aid for refugees in Tunisia Held in southern Tunisia earlier this month, the day-long session was delivered in cooperation with the Civil Protection Association. In total, 82 people took part in the training, which was aimed at refugees, asylum seekers and local people.

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support to livelihood intervention IN KEBILLI SUSTAINABLE PROJECTS sheets, backfill, seedlings, seeds and fertilizers. Thus, the total number of the direct beneficiaries reached 423.

Turning loss into success It was not long before he and the other farmers began to see progress, as Islamic Relief gave them materials and tools to repair their greenhouses. He then used the seedlings and fertilisers Islamic Relief Tunisia managed to respond timely to the storm that affected more than 332 household in Kebili. It enabled farmers to reduce risk through the rehabilitation of their greenhouses and build support to livelihood opportunities for youth and women by providing vocational training and toolkit.

less developed region. Promptly and strategically, the action progressed from greenhouse rehabilitation to livestock provision and training. Hence, The Support to livelihood Project in Kebili was implemented from early March to late December 2014 with a total budget of $327,000 covering over 423 direct beneficiaries.

IRUSA founded project in Kebili, South-West Tunisia, was initially an emergency response to support the small farmers whose greenhouses were extremely damaged by unexpected storms in 2013 and 2014. Yet, during the needs assessment, IR team found that the intervention should better be expanded to reach the vulnerable families, jobless youth and women of this Saharan and

Greenhouse Rehabilitation : During this phase of the project, 12 greenhouse damaged frames were reconstructed belonging to 12 beneficiaries from four rural suburbs: Istaftimi, Ras el-Aiin, Saiidan and Oum el-Farth .Additional number of farmers from other suburbs such as Bazma, Fouar, Limagues and Mansoura benefited from different farming subsidies like plastic

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“My project has become promising. With Islamic Relief, I turned my loss into success.” provided by the scheme to plant greenhouses. It is challenging, fresh crops, and secured his first but I believe with hard work and harvest within weeks. support I will do it. I feel quite satisfied thanks to this sustainable source of income which will Hedi Jlili already has plans to provide a decent life in these expand his two greenhouses in hard times, thank God. I am very Limegues, Kebili. thankful to Islamic Relief.”

Growing livelihoods in Kebili

more than he could afford.

Then, Islamic Relief introduced its livelihoods project in Kebili. The scheme would help Eziddine and other poor farmers to restore the livelihoods that they lost to the storm. At first, the farmers were skeptical, he says.

“I ignored the Islamic Relief coordinator [when he asked us] to Eziddine Menchaoui lives in believe in Islamic Relief’s comEsteftimi, in the suburbs of Kebili. mitment to support us,” explains His village is renowned for its Eziddine. “Fortunately, the Islamic palm trees, but Eziddine owns no Relief team visited again and fields. Instead, he relies for his convinced us to start up practiliving on green-house farming. cal measures.”

Ezzedine has repaired his greenhouses and is earning a living “My project has become promis- again. ing. With Islamic Relief, I turned my loss into success.”

In 2013, he and other farmers built greenhouses on land leased “I met the Islamic Relief team at the right time,” Father-of-seven Hedi Jlili agrees. He also lost his greenhouses when the storm hit. “They provided me with the required material to reinitiate my work.”

Receiving plastic sheeting, cucumber seedlings and fertiliser, Hedi was able to make his two greenhouses in Limegues productive once more – and he already has plans to expand.

from the government, on the outskirts of Esteftimi. But, when a strong storm hit later that year, Eziddine’s four greenhouses were destroyed. To replace them would cost up to 6,000 dinars “I hope to implement two other (almost GBP £2,060), and was

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Vocational Training was a Key element of the program. In other words, it bridges the beneficiary project to success. By receiving the relevant knowledge and skills, the trainees gained self confidence. As a result, their motivation was boosted and they further discover their ability to improve their lives through their own projects. Four training sessions covering the sectors of electricity; plumbing; tailoring and handcrafts have been organized to benefit 55 youth people of Kebili suburbs. By the end of the training, the beneficiaries acquired the target skills and were given the required toolkits and machines. This helped them to establish their own micro-project, a door step to be more self-reliant life and for a better integration into the local economy.

Women Empowerment: Far in the Saharan South-West of Tunisia, beyond the soft rolling dunes, there exist some scattered palm-tree oases. A visitor may believe, at first sight, that life there is as wonderful as that of fairy tales, offering equal shares of decent living and peace of mind. Yet, a large proportion of the dwellers belong to very law socioeconomic categories as they lack the minimum standards of living.

Most vulnerable are widows, unmarried and divorced women. Within the Support to Livelihood Project in Kibili, Islamic Relief Tunisia has given due consideration to such categories, which conforms to IRW goal of rural women empowerment. In fact, about 30 women from Faouar suburbs benefited from the goats distribution project representing 50 percent of the beneficiaries.

Roukaia Abdeladhim, a divorced woman from Gherib, Faouar, has been living alone in an old house since the death of her mother and stepfather. She has no living support but a monthly allowance of 120 dinars (less than $2 / day) which is not enough to cover her essential daily expenses. Roukaia has got five goats, one male and four females, from Kebeli project funded by IR USA. The small herd has proved to be helpful as it provides some milk.

She is very careful and keen to make

it more productive project “every day I clean the goat pen, feed the herd with some grass and hay or some bran to make it milk productive.

They are of good quality as many farmers told me. I will keep them and let their number double, and then I can start a livestock trading.”

Roukaia shows honorable sense of self-reliance and commitment to success: “I hate asking people to supply me with my daily requirements, it is humiliating. I like to rely on myself and on Allah. I would like to express my sincere thanking for IR, you have offered me the opportunity to do so.” Roukaia smiles with hope saying that “He who does well, he will never regret.”

In the training project, 75 percent of the trainees were rural girls.

They left school at early age and have since been doing housework.

According to them, IR commitment to stand for them has oriented their ambitions towards hopeful horizons. « I stayed at home since I had left school, and advocated my time to housework, but now I can see my life differently» Tailoring trainee, Kaouthar Hadj Omar from Sabria. “ It proved to be a successful experience and I hope it will be offered to a larger number of the rural girls”, Massaouda Ben Mohammed, handcrafts

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Impact on Government : During the closing ceremony, Kebili Governor took the initiative to express his impression: “ I am happier than the beneficiaries. There have been challenges to support the damaged farmers as the Tunisian law is not flexible to do so. Fortunately, with Islamic Relief we could find a way out. Kebili government has not benefited enough to support micro-projects and I doubted If we would do something valuable for Faouar region, unlike other governorates and regions.

Sincerely, your project here was not expected to reach such degree of success. Thank God, it is done. I thank you very much to take the risk and make it to the top. I would be very grateful if you could work with us for further projects. Your organization is famous for such success and I hope you contribute more in assisting the local associations for better development.�

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There is a bright hope shining from that smile. Share it, keep it, and care for it with childish insistance.. it will care for you and all humanity with Godly loveliness.

Light Rains - short story

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MY

EDUCATI O N...

MY

H O P E ..

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EDUCATION In cooperation with The Ministry of Education and The Ministry of Culture Islamic Relief is investing in education in Tunisia as part of a plan to build hope and ambition among young people.

The programme is built upon a strategic planning of educational capacity building throughout 2015 and 2016. It tackles two aspects. In terms of infrastructure, IRT will intervene to rehabilitate 14 schools, 14 public libraries and create two mobile libraries.

This will facilitate the task to implement the clubs, help schools organize a series of extra-curricular and sports activities to boost pupils’ interest in school, help reduce lateness and unauthorized absence and minimize early school leave among children.

Moreover, school teachers will benefit from special trainings to pave the way for implementing developed teaching programmes.

Libraries’ supervisors will also receive specific trainings which would facilitate library-related tasks and communication with pupils and students.As agreed upon in the MOUs, IRT will be in charge of providing the required equipment and logistics while the ministries will take in charge every content and programme related requirements.

Accomplished Tasks under “My Education ...My Hope...”

The Way to Success training programme, specified to the 14 public libraries supervisors in Medenine Governorate, progressed with full motivation and smooth interaction during the four sessions arranged in April, 2015. The trainees contributed cheerfully to the recreational discussions which valued the given lectures. Interactive workshops reflected the group good understanding and prompt response to apply the acquired skills in their libraries. Animation activities highlighted the attendees’ mood to frame the sessions in a positive atmosphere.

Amal Ben Mrad, Trainee,Gallala Library, Jerba “We have long been waiting for. In fact, we do not feel confor¬table at work due to the luck of related skill.

Via this training we will be improved and will do bet¬ter job with different activities. I am hopeful that after this session we will make our libraries rea¬der attractive.”

H e d i A m r i , t h e Re g i o n a l Commissioner of Culture of Medenine “ together we can create a tangible impact on the development of the cultural sector. We should look for further partnership opportunities” The Reading Campaign The Reading Campaign is our engagement and concern that talks about all the great things reading does for kids. Reading is essential to the quality of education, and to kids’ ability to play their role in the community. The Reading Campaign and the start-up of the clubs and extra-curricular activities have been launched since April 25th, 2015.

Hundreds of kids, readers, educators, librarians, and parents, from Medenine have worked together to celebrate the activity opening ceremony. This event addresses ways to ensure that all pupils have access to reading in all schools. The Reading Campaign is engaged in putting this exciting and motivating atmosphere in Medenine governorate.

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DROP OF HOPE WASH An inspiration of secure and safe education for the pupils of the most vulnerable communities and regions in Tunisia is the root objective to establish the “Drop of Hope” project.

with 12500 pupils as direct beneficiaries. Each tank capacity is between 5000 and 7000 liters which is enough for drinking, hand washing, sanitation activity, school cleaning and irrigation of trees.

The best incarnation of such is to supply the rural scattered schools with clean potable water.

As such, many water-related health diseases namely Hepatitis B, Tuberculosis and scabies will be avoided.

Under WASH programme supported by the IRUSA, IRT has drawn a sustainable planning to install water tanks in 110 schools in Kef, Beja, Jandouba, Siliana, Kaserine, Sidi Bouzid, Bizerte, Gafsa, Kairouan

Consequently, pupils’ frequency to schools will be more regular.

Need assessment activities has just been accomplished.

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SEASONAL PROJECTS PROTECTING LIFE AND DIGNITY School Feeding Project Islamic Relief Tunisia Lunched a 70-day campaign to kick hunger out of schools. Due to distance from schools and poverty, many primary school pupils get deprived of break lunch. During the project, Islamic Relief provided 18,250 snacks: fruit, yoghurt and biscuits. In total, 149 girls and 129 boys in the southern governorate of Tataouine benefitted.

Mabrouka Alhafyen, 7 years Mabrouka Alhafyen was amongst the children to benefit from the scheme at Ghorghar primary school. For the seven-year-old girl, attending school means a walk of nearly six kilometres – too far for her to return home at lunchtime to eat.

Ramadhan + Qurbani projects As part of IRT actions, seasonal projects like Ramadhan and Qurbani reflect the organization commitment to be at the target

communities’ expectation. Thus, strategic planning to determine the needy beneficiaries, specify the type of the subsidies and the way to implement is always drawn in cooperation with local organizations and officials. In Ramadhan 2014 (1800 food packs distributed) were distributed to beneficiaries in Kebili, Tozeur Gafsa (statistics required).

In addition, in the occasion of Aid al-Fitr, clothe parcels were delivered. Finally, 190 sheep alive were distributed during Aid al-Idha.

Emergency response to winter season in Tunisia In Islamic Relief’s latest project, North-West Tunisia, hundreds of poor and orphaned children have received warm clothing and blankets Orphaned and poor children are amongst the most vulnerable in Tunisia, a country in which some 15.5 per cent of the population are thought to live beneath the poverty line. When the cold winter months come, it is harder than ever for children from poor families to go to school – often leading to a seasonal dip in school attendance rates. Following the bad winter that hit the North West of Tunisia, IR Response IR Tunisia team initiated a quick intervention with high impact to assist orphans and the most vulnerable. The overall objective of this project was to provide the necessary

winter relief items, woolen blanket, winter coat, woolen hat, gloves, scarf, and socks for 500 children. Thanks to IR SWISS funding, the project, which took place in schools during February, helped 750 vulnerable children including 410 orphans to cope with the cold winter season in Béja, Jendouba, Le Kef and Séliana. As well as providing warmth, it also aimed to enable children to get more out of their education and build brighter future. IRW succeeded to respond to the basic needs in a very short time and the project was successfully implemented with the Ministry of Education and the local authorities. The project contributed to pupils’ attendance to school as well.

Flood-affected children have also benefited from the intervention.

Furthermore, IR Tunisia as part of its strategic plan is working on long-term programme for the same areas of intervention.

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YOUMATTERTOME!

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THEIR STORIES..!

Sheyma Boukari Seven-year old Sheyma Boukari is in the second grade at Bounayel School, Ain Drahem, Jendouba. Sheyma and her elder brother both have a disability that mean they shake and struggle to speak or write. Her brother is no longer in school, after being unable to pass his grade for three years.

Sheyma helped to concentrate at school

Mohammed and Mariem Mohammed and Mariem are orphaned children who are looking past their poverty to reach for the stars. Both want to be doctors when they grow up. Seven-year old Mohammed Ibrahim Mussa is predicted to score high marks in his exams at Tazerka Street School, Bardou, Tunisia. At nineyears old, Mariem El-Karsi already excels in sciences and dreams of fighting difficult diseases and saving lives. Both children received an Islamic Relief winter kit.

Winter kits for bright stars

Fedi Mejri Fedi Mejri, 12, is in fifth grade at Ain Hamraya School in Ain Drahem, Jendouba. He lives with his family in a hut several kilometers from the school. His father does not earn enough money to feed his children properly and to cover their educational needs.

You may not believe it, but truly Fedi told that he used to eat just once a day – a sandwich that he is given at school, which is the only reason he makes the daily trek to school. He had only old clothes and plastic boots to keep him warm, but then Islamic Relief provided Fedi with a winter kit. The package included a blanket, a winter coat and boots, as well as a hat, scarf and socks.

Fedi’s only meal is a sandwich at school

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IRBIGFAMILY

interview Can you introduce yourself?

I’am Ibrahima Chalaré, the new programme Manager for Tunisia.

I have been working since 9 years with Islamic Relief following other experience that I have in media and development sectors in West Africa.

What was your experience with islamic Relief?

My experience with Islamic Relief started in 2006 in Sahel region, namely in Niger, Chad and later one in Sudan. The context in Niger was dominated by the food crisis.The Tillabery region where IR is operating is prone to either temporal or chronic food insecurity. The population in the region live below the internationally accredited poverty line, around 63% in Niger. In general, the situation was characterized by the scarcity of food, the low access to quality health services, the lack of trained health workers, inadequate supplies and shortage of medicine. In addition to that, a destructive combination of drought and locust linked with the diminished crop yelds from 2004 have created a dangerous snowball effect for the 2005 and 2006 harvest seasons with a profound impact on subsistence farmers..As a result more than 1/3 of the population, around 4 million people with estimated 800,000 children were on the brink of starvation and 350,000 children at risk of dying soon if medicine and food do not arrive quickly.. The IR intervention focused in priority in health and

nutrition. The early and quick IR interventions were to reduce the rate of malnutrition through an integrated approach in cooperation with the ministry of health targeting malnourished children and pregnant and lactating women through support to supplementary and therapeutic feeding centres; free access to medication and other health services; distribution of nutritional supplements; protection rations, hygiene promotion, food preparation, blanket feeding.

This was my first experience in emergency and IR was in the frontline of the response to the food crisis in Niger. Thanks to the support from various donors, the cooperation with the ministry of

health, UNICEF, WFP and the coordination with partners in the field, we succeed to support more than 40 primary healthcare centers, 4 hospitals in Tillabery region in the management of malnutrition, strengthening the technical platform of health services, and building the capacity of medical personnel. as a result, and along with stakeholders, we succeed to save many children and their mothers from a real disaster. In the same time, IR contributed to improve the technical platform and the capacity of the health system. Following the emergency, , IR extended its intervention with WASH programme with the drilling of hundred of boreholes drilled with it’s one

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PAT-Drill, and Livelihood intervention to improve the living conditions and build the resilience of the most vulnerable My second experience with IR was the operation we set up in Chad in 2007-2009 to assist IDPs in the eastern of Chad as a result of conflict in this country and in the neighboring Sudan.IR contributed to stabilize the area through the provision of NFIs, followed by food distribution, WASH services in partnership with UNICEF, SIDA, etc. Later, the programme in Chad was extended in new areas with recovery and development interventions in Amtiman and Chari Baguirmi area with project in microfinance, civil society empowerment, support to livelihood project.

My third and long experience was in Sudan (5 years) in Darfur.

It was a great experience in a hot and challenging environment, dealing with emergency, recovery and development in conflict affected area. Integrated approaches of health, wash, livelihood, women empowerment, education and peace building were developed and documented for further intervention in IDP camps and in returnees and host communities villages. I learn a lot from communities we supported, from the other NGO operating our area of intervention and from the team in Sudan that was diverse and competent.

From these experiences, what are you proud of ?

I think in Niger, we were in pool position in our area of intervention. Line ministries, national and local authorities as well as beneficiaries appreciated our intervention. I think one of the big achievement is the successful implementation of the microfinance project funded by Qatar

Charity based on Islamic principles. It was the first time in Niger and we succeed to recover 98% with women groups in Niger and 96% in Chari baguirmi region in Chad. I think we need to learn from this and extend this experience to other countries. I think Islamic microfinance has a great future as many of the communities we are serving are muslim and can afford a loan with the bank with riba, which is forbidden by the religion. In Sudan, I’am really proud of the team work we did. Sudan team is in fact a family and Sudan is my second family.

Moreover, many innovation were conducted in peace building with UNDP, drilling and installation of solar powered mini water yard with a unique and successful water management system by water Users committees, construction of classrooms and health facilities with Stabilized Soil Blocks (SSB), etc. The top was the last project we submitted to DFID that has funded through UK Aid match for 2.9 M£ in favor of Darfur and Blue Nile that I hope will pave the way for sustainable development and more stability in Darfur. in addition to that, Another project called Aqua for Darfur developed in an consortium with similar amount is on its way to be approved by the same donor insha Allah.

Why did you did decided to go to Tunisia ? I accepted Tunisia to get another experience, to face new challenges, new achievement and new friends, to discover another aspects of Africa, sweet home.

What will be your contribution to Tunisia development? I think there are many challenges, particularly the disparities between regions as mentioned in the country strategy for 2015-2017.I

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will use my previous experience to support development of programmes in the field of education, WASH, livelihood, etc in addition to the capacity building of civil society organizations.

What is your plan for the next 10 years ? To continue working in the humanitarian and development field and help as much as possible the most vulnerable.

As mentioned in the Coran, when you save one life its like you save the whole humanity. Our mission in this world is to praise the Almighty for creating us in the top of creation as human being and to take care of the rest of the creation.

Your last words? I think it’s a good opportunity to be working with Islamic Relief in general and in Tunisia in particular. We need to continue working as a team. If, we are united, everything is possible, including the development.

Development as freedom.

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I NSI D E ISLA M I C R ELIEF TU NIS IA CAPACITY BUILDING Islamic Relief Tunisia has given major concern to build the capacity of its team members in many professional skills by providing the appropriate conditions to participate in different training sessions

Nour Elhouda Daaboub, Taqwa Kbaier and Jamel Daimi, attended the training course “Secrets of success in the Humanitarian work” directed by Dr Hany El Banna and organized by Tunisia Charity, from 7 to 9 February 2014 in Hammamet, Tunisia.

Hassen Jaafar, the Media and Marketing officer attended the training session organized by the Communication department for the MEEE Media officers from 21 to 26 September 2014 in Istanbul.

Tra i n i n g o n E m e rg e n c y Houda Mestiri (Livelihood Response Management has officer) and Jamel Daimi been held in Bengardane office (Education officer) attended the on the 19 and 20 September training session on Best-Interest 2014 for IRT staff, the trainer Determination Guidelines on was Mr. Amr Mamdouh.

Child Protection Issues organized by UNHCR on 26 and 27 During the staff meeting (team June 2014 in Zarzis, Medenine. building) all the participants had training in camera usage and Houda Mestiri (Livelihood officer) photos shooting. The trainer was and Jamel Daimi (Education br. Hassan Jaafar. officer) attended the training session on Refugees Registration Training on Stock Management organized by UNHCR, July 2014 was held in Tataouine on October in Zarzis, Medenine.

30th 2014 for IRT logistics staff and representatives from other Issa Chamekh attended the NGOs and public institutions, Results-Based Management the trainer was br. Mohamed (RBM) training course in Jordan, Hantech, IRT Senior Logistics from 9 to 13 June 2014.

Officer.

Training session on « Basics of HR Management » held on November 6th 2014 by Dr. Mahmoud Almadhoun, Regional HR manager MEEE, the trainees are the COMT members.

Participation of br. Moadh Amari Senior finance officer in AX finance training with IRW in

Jordan from November 30th to December 6th 2014.

IR Medenine Office, 30 January, 2015. The training about Needs Assessment was introduced by the Consultant Mr. Abdelhamid Kalai.

Two Project Coordinators, Tarak Mgadla and Issa Chamakh, got training from 6 to 17 April, 2015 in Kenya held by IDEAL Public Health and Development Consultancy (IPHDC. The training tackled three major topics: Children’s Hygiene and Sanitation Training (CHAST); Participatory Hygiene & Sanitation Transformation (PHAST) and Community-led total Sanitation (CLTS).

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Members of IRT had important experience with IRW outside Tunisia which has reinforced their skills and contributed in the development of IRT performance

Ta ra k M g a d l a , P ro j e c t Coordinator and Huda Mestiri, Project Officer, got training in Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) held by UNHCR on 21 and 22 April in Hammamet.

IR Tunisia attendance to international Events WORLD SOCIAL FORUM, 24 to 28 M arch 2015, Tunisia.

The World Social Forum is an opportunity to IRT with other social movements, networks, NGOs and other civil society organizations to come together each year to facilitate decentralized coordination and networking among organizations involved in concrete action in order to develop better world.

2016. The event took place with Campaign arranged by IRW in the presence of OCHA, The Red Philippine.

Crescent and other national NGOs.

IRT Staff Experience Outside Tunisia I s s a C h a m a c k h , P ro j e c t Coordinator, had been a Camp Manager in Yemen (Al Mazrek Camp 1 and 3) from April 2013 to April 2014. Leading a team of over 40 staff members, our representative contributed successfully in providing the required services to the IDPs in compliance with the UN and IRW standards of humanitarian interventions.

Typhoon Yolanda, known internationally as Haiyan category 5, was one of the most powerful storms on record, hit Philippine on November 7th causing huge disaster.

The team was composed of 8 IR offices (IR Tunisia, IRW, IRUSA, IR Indonesia, IR Pakistan, IR Kenya, IR Canada and IR Bengladesh).

PARTICIPATORY INITIATIVE On August 13th, 2014 IRT arranged a preparatory workshop for the National Consultation Workshop for The World Humanitarian Summit

Mohammed Hantech, Senior All IRT staff got AX training Logistic Officer, represented from 4 to 9 May 2015, in Zarzis, IRT in the Disaster Response Medenine.

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Hamadi Ben Gabsia IRUSA Trustee June 2014 - Nov 2014

Lotfy El-Sayed Head of Middle East Department June 2014

Mehdi Ben Mrad IPD Director August 2014

Hodeefa Rassem Head of Region – Gulf August 2014

Dr Mahmud Almadhoun Regional HR manager Nov2014

Lamia El Amri IRW trustee Dec 2014

Hany Mahrous ME Regional Fundraiser Coordinator Jan 2015

Najat Elhamri Regional Desk Coordinator- MEEE January 2015

Dr Hany ElBanna Co-Founder of IRW Aug 2014 - Mar 2015

Mohammed A. T. Alshawwa Regional finance manager Feb 2015 - May 2015

Azeem Khan Financial Systems Analyst May 2015

Oussema Ali Assistant Systems Analyst May 2015

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PROGRAMME

Dr. Abdelmonem DAYMI

Ibrahima CHALARÉ Programme Manager

Tarek MGADLA Project Coordinator

Issa CHAMEKH Project Coordinator

Yassine LABIDI Project Coordinator

Houda MESTIRI Project Officer

Sana ZOBLI Project Officer

Ghalia AOUICHAOUI Training Officer

Jamel DAIMI Education Officer

Ali JEMAI Project Officer

Abdessalem HOUAIDIA

Finance Coordinator

Walid SOUISSI Finance Officer

Omer BEN SELIMEN Finance Officer

Anouar GAMMOUDI Finance Assistant

Mejdi BEN HAMIDA Logistic Assistant

Khoubeib MCHIRI Logistic Officer

Med Khaled NAILI Logistic Assistant

Lotfi BEN HAMIDA Logistic Assistant

Country director

Ghassen ALIMI Project Officer

FINANCE

Moadh AMARI Finance Coordinator

LOGISTIC

Mohamed HANTECH Senior Logistic Officer

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HR ADMIN & MEDIA

SUPPORT STAFF

Amira MAY HR & Admin Officer

Hassen JAAFAR M.C.Manager

Hammadi GAMMOUDI M.C.Officer

Souad ROMDHAN

Tarek ABASSI

Kamel LASSOUED

Farhat GADDOUR

Imad ABDELSADEK

Emna BELTIBI

Noureddine FITOURI

Anis SAADI

Abdelrazek BEN HAMIDA

Wissem NAOUAILI

Samir FAGHIM

Massouda ALWI

Khaled CHEHOUMI

Bechir BOUADHLA

Moez ZAABI

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Islamic Relief Tunisia B5 Residence l’Etoile du Nord, Zone Urbaine Nord, 1082, Tunis Tunisie Tel:

+216 36 36 36 84

TelFax:

+216 71 94 73 42

info@islamic-relief.org.tn www.islamic-relief.org