STICHTING BAKENS VERZET

1018 AM AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS

Director,

T.E.(Terry) Manning,

Schoener 50,

1771 ED Wieringerwerf,

The Netherlands.

Tel: 0031-227-604128.

Homepage: http://www.flowman.nl

E-mail: (nameatendofline)@xs4all.nl : bakensverzet

"Money is not the key that opens the gates of the market but the bolt that bars them."

Gesell, Silvio The Natural Economic Order.

Revised English edition, Peter Owen, London 1958, page 228.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non commercial-Share Alike 3.0 License

YERI INTEGRATED SELF-FINANCING RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROJECT

"NEW HORIZONS FOR YERI"

MVOLO COUNTY, SOUTH SUDAN

A HUMANITARIAN RELIEF PROJECT INCORPORATING LETS AND COMMUNITY BANKING

PREPARED FOR THE NGO "SUDAN INLAND DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION (SIDF)", MVOLO, SOUTH SUDAN

YOWANI NGOLI, OF YERI, SOUTH SUDAN

AND

T.E.MANNING, CONSULTANT, WIERINGERWERF, THE NETHERLANDS

Edition 01: 23 July 2003

SIDF SUDAN INLAND DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION

Background:

The area north of Mundri and south of Rumbek County is one of the inland areas in the New Sudan. The geographical location of this area is quite unique, first, it is land locked from the main river routes. Second, it is far away from any of the boarders with the neighbouring countries. This isolation however, has contributed a lot into the remoteness of the area and the untold suffering of the people.

The inhabitants of this area are very hard working people; subsistence farming, fishing and animal rearing play an important role in parts of their lives. However, their normal ways of living conditions, socio-economic and cultural values have been tremendously disrupted by the ongoing civil war in the country. A large number of the people from this area were displaced from their homes and farms. So far, thousands are still living in the displaced camps around Maridi and Yambio.

Health services are no where to be found and as a result diseases like tuberculosis, hernia, malaria, river blindness etc. are still continuing to claim a large number of lives. The child mortality rate here is among the highest in the world. Education supplies are hardly found making it very difficulty to run schools effectively.

The area is also one of the worst river blindness affected places in the world. Currently, a quarter of the population of Mvolo is blind or likely to become blind. This plague in particular has affected the development of this area more than anything else. It has in many cases reduced the breed winners of hundreds of families to a mere dependent. There is therefore an urgent need for educational and medical assistance for these people.

It is always very difficult for the different kinds of assistance being channelled through the international and indigenous None Governmental Organizations (NGOs) working in the country to reach the majority of these poor people who live in this part of the inland area of the New Sudan. Even though the remoteness of the area can be used as an excuse to be the contributing factor for assistance not reaching this area, the fact of the matter still remains that there is no any single NGO officially based there who can offer these services to the people.

General Policies and Guidelines:

Sudan Inland Development Foundation is a community-based organization formed in April 2000, as a development agency. It strives to improve the education; health and development programs in the most affected areas of the New Sudan, which have not yet, get the chances to these services. It will deal with the distribution of the education materials, training of teachers, health workers and will enhance introduction of the appropriate agricultural technology. In case of emergency situation, Sidf can also act as an agency for relief supplies in the area.

The organization believes in education and good health as being the backbones of any sustainable development. It therefore looks forward to bring these services and effectively implements them in its areas of operation. It will promote social welfare programs and encourage self-reliance in order to eradicate dependence syndrome from the minds of our people.

It is therefore the policy of SIDF to maintain a good working relationships with all the national and international organizations. It strives to mobilize all the human and material resources in the area for the benefits of the people. SIDF will execute all the existing community programs such as adult education, literacy classes and Mother Tongue Teachers’s Training as well as the rehabilitation programs.

Mission Statement:

Sudan Inland Development Foundation (SIDF) is a non-political and non-profit making community based organization. Its headquarters is based at Domeri in Mvolo County, New Sudan. This association is formed specifically with the aim of addressing the issues of illiteracy, poverty, plights and the sufferings of the neglected people of Mvolo County.

The first priority of SIDF is to improve and establish the health services and education programs in the area. Its mission includes the creation of self-reliance spirit in the people themselves and encouragement of full participation and contribution of the individuals, groups and the society towards the sustainable development programs.

The name Sudan Inland Development Foundation (SIDF) is chosen simply because it is self explanatory in regard to the situation. Indeed the area is far inland from the river routes and boarders with the neighbouring countries. This isolation has made the area to remain one of the most remote areas in the New Sudan.

It is also one of the worst river blindness affected areas in the country. So far, the rate of blindness is very high and as members of the community, it is a challenge for us and we must at least do something to reduce this high rate of blindness among our people.

A drastic action is indeed needed to lay concrete foundations for rural development program to alleviate the plights and sufferings of these people as well as helping them to work towards improving their living standards and social structure. We believe in co-operation and taking the right action at the right time and in the right place as the gateway to sustainable rural development.

The vision of having proper education, health service, clean water supply for all and introduction of modern appropriate agricultural technology are our main focuses. We look forward to work as a partner with any individuals, groups and NGOs in offering the general humanitarian assistance and rehabilitation in our beloved country, the New Sudan, as we enter into the new millennium.

The organizational culture of SIDF is primarily based on the bottom-up development strategy; hence full participation of the community in each and every program is highly encouraged. The organization will emphasize training of individuals, groups and the community at large to meet the necessary requirements for effective contributions.

The organization will strive to promote social welfare programs and encourage self-reliance by organizing the communities morally, economically, physically and socially towards achieving their own goals. It will also ensure full accessibility of rural development programs to the people who are within its areas of operation.

Preamble:

This constitution shall be known as the constitution of Sudan Inland Development Foundation. Unless the context otherwise requires or amended, the clauses, words and expressions contained in this constitution shall bear the same meaning and will remain binding on the organizations life and operation.

Article One (1): Name

1.1 The name of the organization shall be called Sudan Inland Development Foundation (SIDF).

1.2 The head office of Sudan Inland Development Foundation shall be located at Domeri in Mvolo County, New Sudan.

1.3 The organization shall work and abide by the rules and regulations laid down by the Sudan Relief and Rehabilitation Association (SRRA) for National Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs).

Article Two (2): Objectives

The main objectives of Sudan Inland Development Foundation (Sidf) are:

2.1.To mobilize local and international resources for effective health and education programs in the inland areas of the New Sudan in order to build a healthy and resourceful community and, also to fight against illiteracy and ignorance.

2.2.To mobilize both human and economical resources towards meaningful and sustainable community rural development, which can alleviate the people of poverty, famine and starvation.

2.3. To act efficiently in addressing the untold sufferings of the blind people, orphans and widows by meeting their physical and psychological needs through counselling.

2.4 To carry out thorough research into the humanitarian situations and identify the needs of the people as a step forward for the community entrepreneurship so that they can be able to have a vision of how to help themselves.

2.5 To co-operate with any NGOs and their donors who are willing to work in this area as may be agreed upon by the parties in the memorandum of understanding.

2.6 To act as consultant to the community for any rural development related projects such as agricultural extension and animal rearing.

2.7 To promote formal education through the building of self-help primary schools, establishment of adult education, literacy classes and training of Mother Tongue teachers.

2.8 To maintain and preserve the cultural heritage and integrity in the social life of the people by involving them in the decision making for the development projects which will be initiated by them and for themselves.

Article Three (3): Membership

The membership of the organization shall consist of two categories known as full-time and associate members.

3.1 Full-time Member

The right to a full membership of the organization shall be open to anyone who is competent and has reached the age of 18 years old (majority) and above all, is a person who is interested in offering his or her service to the people of Mvolo County through this organization.

3.2 Associate Member

The associate membership is open to any National and International Organizations or any voluntary corporations or individuals that have the interest in furthering the proposed jobs of the organization and have signed a mutual memorandum of understanding. An associate member has the right to participate in all the activities of the organization but with the exception of the voting rights.

Article Four (4): General Assembly

The General Assembly of the organization shall consist of the registered full-time members plus the associate members.

4.1 Roles of General Assembly

(a) To be the supreme body of the organization.

(b) To approve and amend the constitution of the organization.

(d) To appoint or remove the organizations auditor.

(e) To approve the annual budget and reports of the organization.

(f) To lay down rules, policies and code of conduct for the executive Committee.

(g) To pass vote of no confidence in any member of the executive Committee.

Article Five (5): Board of Directors

The Board of Directors shall consist of chairman, deputy chairman, secretary, and three elected members. This body is responsible for the decision-making and technical planning at the highest hierarchical level in the organization to which the executive committees are accountable.

5.1 Functions of the Board of Directors

(a) To meet with the executive committee on issues of the organization that requires immediate attention.

(b) To resolve conflicts and issues such as reconciliation between members of the organization or any disputes with the community.

(d) The members of the Board of Directors shall have voting rights on issues in which they participate together with the executive committee.

Article Six (6): Executive Committee

The executive committee will consist of the Executive Director, Deputy Executive Director, Secretary, Deputy Secretary and Four (4) Members.

6.1 Functions of the Executive Committee

This committee is responsible to The Board of Directors. It shall be headed by the Executive Director and will therefore be responsible for the following:

(a) To formulate policies and culture of the organization.

(b) To devise ways of raising funds for the organization.

(c) To propose and present annual budgets in the Annual General Meeting to the members of the General Assembly for approval.

(d) To approve or reject the application for membership by a majority vote of the committee members.

(e) To open the bank accounts and ensure proper record keeping in the organization.

(f) To prepare the progress and annual report of the organization that can be presented to the General Assembly in the Annual General Meeting.

Article Seven (7): Elections

The registered full-time members through a secret ballot in the Annual General Meeting shall elect the members of the executive committee.

7.1 Terms of Office

An elected executive committee of the Sudan Inland Development Foundation (SIDF) shall stay in the office for a period of five years; unless removed earlier for misconduct or any other disabilities.

7.2 Filling of Vacancy

When a casual vacancy occurs in the executive committee, the full-time members of the organization, during a general meeting or extraordinary meeting, shall elect a new member to fill the vacancy in the executive committee.

Article Eight (8): Duties of Members of the Executive Committee

Any member of the executive committee is required to fulfil his or her duties as per the laid down procedures, rules and regulations of the organization.

8.1 Executive Director

(a) Is the chief executive officer (CEO) in the organization and also the secretary to the Board of Directors.

(b) Is the one to control and ensure smooth, efficient and effective running of the organization in its overall activities, plans and policies as laid down in the constitution.

(d) Is the one who should contact donors for fund raising and co-ordinate any external relations for and on behalf of the organization.

(e) Is the one to propose the annual programs of the organization and any other related budgets that can be presented to the Executive Committee for approval.

(f) Must open the Bank Accounts and ensure proper financial record keeping in the organization.

(g) Is answerable to the Board of Directors for all matters patterning to the progress or failures of the organization.

8.2 Program Manager

(a) Is the second senior executive administrator in the organization, who deputizes the executive Director.

(b) Is to plan and assign duties and responsibilities to other members of staff.

(d) Is a signatory to the accounts of the organization.

(e) Is answerable to the Executive Director for official matters of the organization.

8.3 Project Co-coordinators

(a) Are heads of specific projects of the organization.

(b) Must facilitate training patterning to their respective projects.

(d) Must attend meetings, workshops, and seminars that relates to their respective projects.

(e) Must prepare project proposals and operational budgets to be presented to the planning committee.

(f) Must submit monthly reports to the Program Manager.

(g) Are answerable to the Program Manager.

Article Nine (9): Finance

(a) Funds for the Organization shall be sourced from International and Local Donor Agencies, Governmental Institutions, Individual Donations and Member contributions.

(b) The funds of the organization shall be kept in a Bank Account and shall only be withdrawn upon the primary and secondary signatures of the Executive Director and the Senior Accountant; provided that their specimen signatures are the ones available with the bank.

(c) No any payment shall be made out of the bank accounts of the organization without the consents of at least half of the number of the executive committee.

(d) The accounts of the organization shall be audited at least once every year by the auditors appointed in the Annual General Meeting.

(e) An audited bank statement of the accounts for the last year shall be presented in the Annual General Meeting.

Article Ten (10): Quorum

Any general or extraordinary meetings of the organization shall only take place when there is a quorum.

10.1 Half of the total registered full-time members, plus one shall constitute a quorum necessary to convene a meeting and transact any other business of the organization.

10.2 Two thirds (2/3) of the members of the executive committee shall constitute quorum.

Article Eleven (11): Annual General Meeting

The Annual General Meeting of the organization shall be held once every year to review the progress, achievements or failures made and to direct by resolutions the next stage of the activities of the various projects of the organization. No business shall be transacted at any general meeting if a quorum of members is not present.

Article Twelve (12): Amendments

This constitution shall only be amended by two third majority votes of the full-time members of the organization in the Annual General Meeting or in an extraordinary general meeting convened by the Board of Directors with the purpose of passing a special resolution amending a clause or clauses in this constitution.

Article Thirteen (13): Dissolution

In case of any definite inability by the organization to function effectively due to unavoidable circumstances and there is enough material evident that it cannot operate or continue to exist as an entity, then a special resolution will be passed by the General Assembly to bring its legal existence to an end through the following inter alias procedures:

13.1 The Directors must make and deliver to the Registrar a declaration of solvency, dually signed by at least 2/3 of the Directors from both categories. (Board and Executive).

13.2 The General Assembly or Court must appoint a liquidator to enlist all the different assets of the organization.

13.3 Pay off all the debts and any other liabilities of the organization and handover in specie or kind, the whole or part of the assets to any other recommended Mvolo County community based National Organization or institution that is offering similar or same services to the people within the defined jurisdiction boundary of Mvolo County only.