Together for Development

01/02/2018

The team and all the members of T4D wish you a better 2018, more peaceful, more harmonious and with as many accomplishments as possible!

03/08/2017

To all the women of the world, mothers, daughters, wives, kind caregivers, from all of us here at T4D, a big THANK YOU for everything you do every day, for making this world a better place!

As for us, we will continue to try to help you make our world a little better...;) HAPPY 8th of March, HAPPY WOMEN'S DAY!

02/20/2017

This is for all of you living in LA or anywhere around the world where homelessness has become epidemic in spite of affluent resources and decades of good intentions. To all of you who know that women and girls are the most vulnerable victims, we come with a possible solution: HopeTown. Check out this super-short video, where we explain why HopeTown may be a game changer in preventing homelessness among young women: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrG8taEF2iw

Also, you can find more details and help us make HopeTown happen by donating at: http://www.together4development.org/hopetown.

Thank you and let's give 20 young women a fair shot at a normal life!

HopeTown

12/23/2016

Dear friends, 2016 has been both difficult and extremely productive against all odds, with disappointments and successes alike. Through all the good and the bad, we wish to send your way, also on behalf of all those whose lives you helped change for good, a BIG THANK YOU + our best wishes of peace and prosperity for 2017.

07/27/2016

Dear friends, our sustainable agriculture project in Cameroon - an African-pepper plantation in the Central Region (Région du Centre) – has reported positive results after its first harvest.

It’s been an uphill struggle over the past 10 months, starting with finding a suitable spot in the nasty jungle, digging canals from a muddy river bank, installing pipelines and ending with what has been a very unfriendly year for agriculture in Central Africa…

Through this project we’ve set in place an innovative irrigation system, while using only traditional, non-invasive techniques, from loosening the land to seeding and harvesting.

With this project we want to prove, once more, that you can get decent economic results without spending fortunes on fuel guzzling “modern technologies". At this stage, the project involves a total of 30 villagers, covering the whole production-to-retail chain. Until the end of the agricultural year we are expecting a total yield of 50-60 tons of these little vicious peppers that make the Cameroonian cuisine just like the weather…hot and diverse.

And a small message from the local project manager (unedited): "[…] nous resterons éternellement reconnaissants vis-à-vis de vous car votre actions nous permis d'oser investir en notre groupe et vous nous avez donner la détermination de réussir. Nous sommes déterminés dans la limite de nos moyens à avancer pour le bien de tous."

Encouraged by these results, we are now considering modernizing and developing the small rabbit farm which makes for most of the protein intake of the village...;)

06/28/2016

The global definition of extreme poverty is having to live off of $1.25 a day. It's an unrealistic figure that is meant to paint a far rosier picture of the world's poor than the reality. Finally, some mainstream media decides to call it for what it is...

The UN is celebrating: Hunger and poverty around the world are in decline according to data from the global body. But that success is not nearly as great if you scrutinize the numbers.

05/29/2016

Long Saturday, launching Together's latest project - "Abre los ojos!" - dedicated to Latinos living with disabilities in the most disadvantaged & underserved neighborhoods of South LA. Our interns from UCLA, Christy & Jazmin, made this possible through their dedication and good spirits. It's so refreshing to see that there are still people who care to step outside their comfort zones and look beyond their immediate interests - a lesson in selflessness and modesty!

04/12/2016

This is an exciting new project which hopes to cut out the loss of profits for farmers by reducing the involvement of middlemen who buy produce cheaply and sell it for a profit at the detriment of African farmers. T4D supports projects such as this which focus on helping those who have worked hard but often have not been able to profit due to circumstances out of their control.
http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2016/apr/04/project-opens-lucrative-export-market-for-70000-ugandan-and-tanzanian-farmers

Farm Africa’s initiative to increase farmers’ profits will benefit rural communities including Katine, supported by the Guardian since 2007

04/02/2016

Another great opportunity for Africa to get involved in the global economy!! However, Africa won't be able to become a powerful actor without help on its employment market and gaining independence on foreign governmental aid. Yes, Africa needs to reduce poverty further by creating jobs, but by local empowerment! And that is the philosophy of T4D which works directly with individuals and thus gives them an opportunity to get involved in the global economy on their own.http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2016/mar/29/new-trade-deals-challenge-africa-step-on-to-global-stage

Without growing its economy, Africa risks being left behind, unable to create the jobs it needs to reduce poverty

03/30/2016

Fairtrade initiatives have made massive improvements for farmers in developing countries, but the benefits have not been spread equally: female farmers have not been given the same opportunities as male farmers. This needs to change. Together4Development pursues gender equality through our projects in all stages and levels of respective projects, such as equal work burden with equal benefits! Check out our latest women-based project in Africa - Allanblackia Women!!
http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2016/mar/11/ghana-cocoa-farms-fairtrade-not-yet-working-for-women

Women – often landless and responsible for feeding and looking after their families – are missing out on the benefits that come with Fairtrade certification

02/23/2016

While organizations focused on international development can be very helpful, they can also be very damaging to the very communities they try to help. Just an example of the issues that can arise if there are insufficient policies to protect the targeted communities. Together for Development strives to avoid such large scale issues by focusing exclusively on small communities where we can have the most positive impact! http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2016/feb/23/world-bank-projects-safeguard-womens-rights-gender

Our study found life for women was worse, not better, after World Bank pipeline projects. A robust gender policy is vital