The rain no longer comes at the usual time: Otjinene farmers and the drought
By Yolanda van Rooyen, Ngunoue Toromba and Himeezembi Mbaha of the Climate Action Reporters crew, KYC.TV NamibiaClimate change is one of the biggest challenges facing communities in the Otjinene Constituency in the Omaheke Region. Changing weather patterns, long droughts and unpredictable rainfall are affecting farming, livestock, wildlife and the livelihoods of many families.
We are three KYC.TV youth members. We wanted to find out how drought is affecting farming in Otjinene, so we spoke to the local councillor, farmer Uakasuva Kaputjaza and to community member Simson Vekondja Jamuine. We planned our fieldwork by preparing interview questions and assigning roles among ourselves, such as interviewer, note taker, photographer and voice recorder.
According to the 2023 Namibia Population and Housing Census, the Otjinene Constituency has 12,415 people living across 93 villages. Livestock farming is the main way people earn a living here. The constituency has the largest cattle population of any rural constituency in Omaheke, with 99,127 cattle recorded in the 2014 livestock census. These figures show how much is at stake when there is a drought.
In an interview with the councillor, he states that many families continue to experience food shortages because of recurring droughts. “Many children and vulnerable families do not have enough food because climate change has affected our area,” the councillor says. He explains that poor rainfall has reduced crop production and grazing land, making it difficult for farmers to feed their livestock. Although the government provides drought relief, some farmers experience delays in receiving assistance because of administrative processes, he says. “Farmers should adapt by storing animal feed and planting drought-resistant crops,” he advises.
In an interview with farmer Uakasuva Kaputjaza, he describes how drought affects different types of livestock. “Goats survive better because they can eat bushes and leaves, but cattle suffer more during drought,” Kaputjaza says. He explains that recent rainfall has improved grazing conditions and livestock health. “We have received good rainfall in the past few months and our animals are healthier because there is enough grazing,” he adds. Kaputjaza encourages farmers to prepare for future droughts by storing food, planting crops that can be used as livestock feed and managing their grazing areas wisely.
Simson Vekondja Jamuine says climate change is affecting both people and wildlife. “Sometimes the rain does not come and animals in the forest also suffer because of water shortages,” he says. He warns that drought forces wild animals to move long distances in search of food and water. “Some animals die while looking for food because there is not enough to eat.”
Jamuine believes that reducing the effects of climate change requires cooperation between the government and the community. “The government may assist up to 50%, but communities also need to contribute the other 50% by preparing for drought and taking responsibility for their own farming,” he says. Although this year brought better rainfall, he warns that weather patterns have changed. “This year we received enough rain, but the rain is no longer coming at the usual time,” Jamuine explains. He encourages farmers to store food, preserve crops and make full use of the government support programmes before drought strikes again.
Tree cutting, firewood and survival in Otjinene
By Samantha Hendricks, Thomas Rooinasie and Veueza Kaunatjike of the Big Three crew, KYC.TV NamibiaIn Otjinene, tree cutting has become a major issue for the community and the environment. Trees are cleared to open up pasture for cattle and other livestock. They are also cut for firewood and many families here sell that firewood to survive.
We are three KYC.TV youth members. We visited the Ozohambo settlement in Otjinene to interview people about tree cutting, together with SDI intern Pietro Sandro Chiri Zapata. In total, we interviewed five people, but only three agreed to be recorded.
Silvia Mujoro is 50 years old and makes her living selling firewood. She buys it from local people who bring it in by donkey cart, for between N$150 and N$200. What she earns feeds her children and she also helps others in the community who have no income of their own. Her difficulty is supply. Some weeks her suppliers bring a lot of wood, other weeks very little and that makes it hard to run a steady business. She has asked the councillor for donkey carts, so that she can collect and carry the wood herself instead of buying it from others.
Uasaneka Hengari is 39. She has sold firewood since 2010, because she had no other income. At first she collected the wood herself and carried it home on her head. Later she began buying from people with donkey carts. She also sells basic household goods such as sugar and tea bags. Her goal is to improve her family’s living conditions. Her challenge is that she cannot cut the wood herself. She has to pay someone else to do it, and that takes a share of what she earns.
Unotjarikatjiri, 43 years old, says that he simply goes into the forest to cut trees without experiencing any problems. He only cuts trees when buyers ask him to and he uses the income to support his children and feed his family. He requested that the councillor provide him with an axe. He says he is a member of the team building SDI Namibia federation houses.
The stories show that tree cutting represents an economic lifeline for the urban poor in Otjinene. But trees are an essential part of our ecosystems, more so in times of drought, extreme heat and other climate change phenomena. Trees are essential for life because they provide oxygen, protect wildlife and help keep the environment healthy. As a team, we believe the municipality should reduce unnecessary tree cutting and plant more trees to protect our environment, while at the same time helping these families with alternative economic opportunities to protect their livelihoods. Nobody in Ozohambo should have to choose between feeding their children and protecting the forest.
“When I collect these bottles, I am also cleaning my town”
By Iselda Mbuende, Kenahama Marenga and Albertus Tjombe of the Team Transformer crew, KYC.TV NamibiaAccording to Otjinene Village Council officials, the past six years have been particularly challenging to the people of the community with regard to inadequate waste management. Waste dumping results in land pollution and air pollution, which negatively affects the community members’ health and wellbeing. We are three KYC.TV youth members highly concerned with this issue and we have come to gather information and interview those most affected. Overall, we have identified that recycling is a popular activity among the youth in Otjinene as a way to combat the inefficient waste collection, as well as to make a living given the current high unemployment rate.Ms. Kandorozu, Otjiherero is 30 years old. She collects plastic containers and bottles of cool drinks on the ground and washes them in order to fill them up with oros, the local fruit beverage. She said “I started collecting these bottle containers since 2014 and washing them for my oros business. I walk the streets or sometimes walk to the supermarket to find more containers. When I am collecting these plastic containers I am also cleaning my town and minimizing waste on the ground in order for me and the community not to get sick. Sometimes, climate change can really disturb [the business]. One day is windy and you cannot walk around to collect the containers. Also, heatwaves burn the bottles to a point that they lose quality.” She thinks the municipality office should place more public dustbins on streets, so that community members do not dump plastic containers on the ground, but rather put them in the public dustbins. That would make it easier for recyclers to find the bottles.
Mr. Mbamanovandu is 30 years old. He recycles plastic containers in order to store animal lick, a nutritious supplement for livestock. He said “I walk to the supermarket, during certain occasions, like when the town is overcrowded with [livestock] auctions, end of the month and more during pensioners’ grant day. During those days, I collect close to 600 plastic bottles. I collect these, clean them up and fill them up with animal lick for my farmers who cannot afford the original containers. This way, I make sure that there is bread on my table everyday. During winter, my recycling process becomes slower since it is very cold. I cannot go look for plastic bottles. [During summer,] bottles have holes due to the heavy sun exposure. I won’t give up due to seasonal [challenges] because I survive on these items.” This shows how certain weather conditions can directly impact a recycler’s collection process, but they are still willing to endure these conditions in order to make a living.
As a reflection, my teammates and I believe that the local municipality should have a stronger role in waste management by actively helping the local recyclers. For instance, placing more public dustbins on the streets would facilitate young entrepreneurs’recycling businesses, like Ms. Kandorozu’s and Mr. Mbamanovandu’s. This would help them easily find their plastic bottles without any damage from the heatwaves or heavy rain. Under these extreme climate conditions, recyclers also prefer adequate transport to better collect their material, as well as tents to cover their products.
No shelter, no sales: Otjinene street vendors and extreme weather
By Kavezembua Kotjipati, Charmaine Upingasana, Turipi Uakavi and Uazepaisa Uaseta of the On the Street crew, KYC.TV NamibiaImagine trying to earn a living under a scorching sun or during a heavy downpour. For many street vendors, this is a daily reality as climate change makes the weather conditions more unpredictable. Overall, street vendors play a vital role in supporting livelihoods and making essential goods more accessible to the local community. They create employment for themselves and empower marginalized groups to generate income. We, the “On the Street” team of the KYC.TV youth in Namibia, are very concerned about the suffering of street vendors affected by climate change.
The current population of Otjinene is 6,272, with an annual population growth rate of 4.5%, according to the Namibian Statistics Agency. However, this agency does not count the community’s employment, so we went out to the field and counted them ourselves. In a July afternoon of 2026, we counted a total of 82 street vendors. Amongst these 82 vendors, 43 were selling clothes, 27 sold kapana, 12 sold fruits and veggies. Mr Kamati is 30 years old and a clothing vendor. He started selling clothes in 2018. He has been facing downpour rain challenges during rainy seasons. The rain damages the clothing and he ends up closing the business for two to three days in a week. When no sales are made, he cannot afford to pay rent and sometimes he starves.
Miss Anna is 45 years old and a kapana seller. The word kapana simply means a public place in Namibia where food is being prepared and sold. The term originates from the Oshiwambo and Ndonga languages. Miss Anna complained about the strong winds, which lift up the sand into the food. This makes her cooked products gritty and soiled, resulting in her losing her daily income simply because customers wouldn’t buy under those conditions. She also said if she didn’t make any sales, she would go hungry. She is the bread winner of the family, and sometimes she can’t even afford to pay school fees for her children. Another street vendor added that dust affects their health, as it impacts their breathing and physically disturbs their sight. Both vendors stated that not getting any customers is threatening their way of living.
To our surprise, we met a SDI Namibia federation member, Ms. Vatjizaije Karupa, who gave us details of why she started selling on the streets back in 2023. She said she experienced financial difficulties in her federation’s savings group, so she decided to start selling produce on the streets. Despite the heatwaves and scorching sun, she kept on so that she could improve her savings. “Most of the fruits and vegetable sellers suffer from heatwaves due to no proper shelters [for selling]. The product ends up rotten and contaminated,” she said.
Climate change is making life increasingly difficult for street vendors by damaging their goods, reducing their income and exposing them to dangerous conditions. Despite these challenges, they continue to provide essential goods and services to support their communities. Moreover, all of the interviewers asked to be assisted with proper shelter, chairs and tables. Some even asked for fridges and catering equipment. As our team wandered around Otjinene having conversations with the street vendors, we discovered there are some ways in which their conditions could significantly improve. Having a cooler storage could cater for all the nearby vendors, keeping their products cool while they are out selling. Also, more accessible public toilets need to be addressed, as well. Ultimately, local authorities need to be present to help out these local entrepreneurs.
“Plan with us, not for us” – SDI Nigeria federation speaks out on forced evictions
Representatives from the Shantytown Empowerment Foundation (SHEF) and the SDI Nigeria Federation joined a panel on Housing Solutions for Low Income and Informal Workers in Africa. This was part of the 20th anniversary of the Africa International Housing Show (AIHS) in Abuja, Nigeria.
The theme of the show was Financing Low-Income and Informal Sector Housing for Africa. Policymakers, housing professionals, partners and community representatives came together to look at practical ways to deliver inclusive and affordable housing.
Esther Bimbo Oshobe, President of the SDI Nigeria Federation, said the event gave the Federation a chance “to speak out and address homelessness, loss of livelihoods, separation of families, and loss of both adults and children, all caused by forced evictions by government.”
Bimbo was speaking about the mass evictions and demolitions in the Makoko, Oko Agbon and Sogunro communities in Lagos. More than 40,000 people were displaced in Makoko.
“When we say plan with us, not for us, it means we should be involved. We spoke about forced eviction not being the solution. So much research has already been done. We keep hoping for the best. If 70 to 80 percent of the population live in slum communities, why not give us a place among the decision makers?” she asked.
Rasheed Shittu, Executive Director of Shantytown Empowerment Foundation, said, “sustainable housing must be built on real community participation, secure land tenure, access to basic services, and partnerships that recognise the knowledge and contributions of residents living in informal settlements.”
Bimbo asked, “Where are the low income homes that we can afford? Why push us onto the streets by forcing us out of our homes? Slum upgrading can be done with us, by us, if government gives support and resources. Forcing us out of our homes, with nowhere to go but under bridges, only creates more slums.”
AIHS 2026 delegates adopted a 24-point Abuja Declaration. It calls on African governments to make affordable housing a priority, and to develop, finance and monitor national housing strategies across the continent, particularly for low-income earners and workers in the informal sector.
Rasheed thanked the organisers for creating the platform. “We look forward to continued collaboration in advancing housing policies and investments that leave no one behind,” he said.
“I hope government looks at the different suggestions we made. Having our voices in the conversation is a great step. We gave examples from other SDI affiliate countries, and we hope for better results.”
Bimbo concluded, “We are like water. We will always find our way.”
The Abuja Declaration on Housing Solutions for Low-Income and Informal Workers in Africa
Following extensive deliberations during the 20th Anniversary (Legacy Edition) of the Africa International Housing Show held from 13–18 July 2026 in Abuja, Nigeria, under the theme, Housing Solutions for Low-Income and Informal Workers in Africa, participants comprising Ministers, Governors, Members of Parliament, Mayors, development finance institutions, multilateral agencies, UN-Habitat, investors, mortgage institutions, housing cooperatives, developers, professionals, researchers, financial institutions, manufacturers, youth leaders and civil society organisations resolved as follows:
We hereby declare that:
- Affordable housing must be recognised as a strategic national development priority and a key instrument for poverty reduction, job creation and economic growth.
- Every African country should develop a National Affordable Housing Strategy with measurable annual housing delivery targets.
- Governments should increase annual budgetary allocations to affordable housing and supporting infrastructure.
- African governments should prioritise housing for low-income earners, informal workers, women, youth and persons living with disabilities.
- Land administration systems should be modernised through digitalisation, simplified land registration and reduced transaction costs.
- Governments should establish fast-track approval systems for affordable housing developments.
- Housing finance institutions should develop mortgage products specifically designed for informal sector workers using alternative methods of assessing income.
- Housing cooperatives should become a major delivery platform for affordable home ownership across Africa.
- African governments should strengthen partnerships with pension funds, insurance companies, sovereign wealth funds and private investors to finance affordable housing.
- Development Finance Institutions should expand concessional funding for affordable housing projects across Africa.
- Governments should encourage local production of building materials to reduce construction costs.
- African countries should promote innovative and alternative building technologies that lower housing costs while maintaining quality.
- Governments should provide tax incentives and fiscal support for developers delivering verified affordable housing.
- Housing policies should deliberately promote women and youth participation in housing development, ownership and construction value chains.
- African cities should prioritise slum upgrading, urban regeneration and climate-resilient settlements instead of forced evictions.
- Digital technology, Artificial Intelligence and data systems should be integrated into housing planning, land management and mortgage administration.
- Transparency, accountability and anti-corruption measures should be strengthened throughout the real estate sector.
- Strong collaboration among governments, the private sector and development partners should become the primary model for housing delivery.
- African governments should harmonise housing policies and encourage cross-border investment in real estate.
- AIHS should establish an Annual Africa Affordable Housing Performance Index to monitor the implementation of these resolutions.
- AIHS should launch an Africa Housing Innovation Network to support research, innovation and knowledge exchange.
- AIHS should continue recognising outstanding individuals and institutions through the 100 Champions of Affordable Housing in Africa initiative.
- Participants call on the African Union to adopt affordable housing as a continental development priority and encourage Member States to implement the recommendations of this Declaration.
- Participants reaffirm their commitment to work collectively towards ensuring that every African has access to decent, safe, affordable and sustainable housing.
Conclusion
Participants expressed appreciation to the Government and people of Nigeria, the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, development partners, sponsors, exhibitors, speakers, volunteers and the Board of the Africa International Housing Show for successfully hosting the 20th Anniversary (Legacy Edition).
The communiqué was unanimously adopted in Abuja, Federal Republic of Nigeria, on 18 July 2026, and shall be known as the Abuja Declaration on Affordable Housing for Low-Income and Informal Workers in Africa.
This declaration is AIHS’s signature legacy document and was presented to: The President of Nigeria, The African Union, UN-Habitat and African Ministers responsible for Housing.
804 Youth. 3 Settlements. 5 Days. What We Learned.
By Asana Alhassan, Joan Mwinfang Aadaaryeb, Abdul Rasheed Yussif and Abdullah Salman
In just five days, a team of 30 trained SDI youth data collectors profiled 804 young people across the Tamale settlements of Lamashegu, Jisonaayili, and Kanvili.
Tamale is one of the fastest-growing cities in West Africa, and with that growth comes both urgent challenges and significant opportunity. Situated at the crossroads between southern Ghana and the Sahel, the city has long served as a hub for trade, migration and cultural exchange. Its population is predominantly young, bringing with it a depth of talent, creativity and energy that remains largely untapped.
Tamale is also the birthplace of Dr. Sulley Gariba, in whose memory the SDI Impact Innovation Initiative is dedicated.
The data collection exercise provided a detailed snapshot of the realities, aspirations and opportunities among participating youth in these communities, made possible through the Impact Innovation Initiative, led by People’s Dialogue Ghana and the Ghana Federation of the Urban Poor (GHAFUP) in partnership with SDI.
While the findings do not represent all youth in Tamale, they offer valuable insights for local government, development partners, civil society partners and community leaders looking to support youth development where it matters most.
Building Legitimacy
Before any data was collected, trust had to be earned. The project team began by engaging traditional authorities such as chiefs and elders whose influence shapes how communities receive and respond to any new initiative. Through a series of dialogues, the team introduced the work, clarified its objectives and made space for community concerns to be heard and addressed.
The result was a formal endorsement from traditional leaders, who did not simply grant permission but actively encouraged young people to participate. That backing ensured that the initiative was understood not as something imposed from outside, but as an effort rooted in and aligned with community priorities.
Engaging with traditional leaders, community groups and local government officials is SDI practice and vital for the sustainability of any initiatives and process.
Youth Leading the Way
One of the most remarkable stories behind the numbers is the process itself. With community support and the endorsement of traditional leaders, young people took the lead in collecting data from their peers.
The result was a profiling exercise that reached 804 young people in only five days, demonstrating the power of youth-led action when the right resources are made available.
What the Data Tells Us
Young Women Showed Up:
53.6% of the youth profiled were female, highlighting strong participation from young women across the three settlements. This reinforces the importance of ensuring that future programmes, training opportunities and economic interventions continue to be inclusive and responsive to the needs of young women.
The Reality of Employment:
The data reveals a generation that is working hard to create opportunities for itself.
Among the youth profiled in Tamale:
- 35% are self-employed, primarily within the informal economy.
- 17.2% are unemployed.
- Only 5% reported being in formal employment
These numbers highlight both the resilience and the challenges facing young people. Many are actively finding ways to earn a living, but access to formal employment remains limited.
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A Digital Opportunity
One of the most promising findings emerged from the digital landscape. While 83.3% of respondents reported familiarity with smartphones, about 48.6% identified as digital beginners, highlighting a significant opportunity for digital skills training and workforce development.
The message is clear: the challenge is no longer simply access to devices, it is access to digital skills.
Why This Matters
Africa is the world’s youngest continent. More than 60% of its population is under the age of 25. The findings from Lamashegu, Jisonaayili, and Kanvili speak directly to that reality.
Young people are participating. Young women are engaging. Smartphones are already in use. Informal businesses are thriving despite challenges. Yet gaps remain in employment opportunities and digital skills development. For local governments, development organisations, civil society actors and donors, this is an opportunity to invest where the impact can be greatest:
- Digital literacy and workforce readiness programmes
- Youth entrepreneurship and business support
- Employment creation initiatives
- Skills development tailored to local economic opportunities
- Gender-responsive youth programmes
The Bigger Message
SDI youth are showing much-needed leadership in the settlements they live and work in. The success of profiling 804 young people in just five days is remarkable by any measure. Few professional consultants or research firms could achieve this reach or depth of access in the same timeframe. This is the unique capacity of on-the-ground movements and grassroots organisations like SDI, rooted in communities, trusted by residents and able to generate data from within settlements that would be very difficult to replicate by third parties.
But who this data serves matters as much as what it reveals. Community-led data collection carries with it a degree of accountability that conventional research often does not.
It is not extracted and handed upward to funders or policymakers. It carries accountability to the settlements and to the young people who were not merely subjects of this exercise but active participants in it. This data and the innovation it drives, is meant to benefit those who made it possible in the first place.
These young leaders have embraced the power of data as a tool to navigate the challenges in their settlements and cities and by directly addressing problems in their settlements, explore livelihood opportunities for themselves.
Strengthening SDI Federations
The Impact Innovation Initiative is not only a data exercise; it is an opportunity to strengthen the SDI federations in Tamale. This is particularly significant given the lasting damage inflicted by the COVID-19 pandemic, which severely disrupted the livelihoods of women in Tamale and weakened community federations built over many years.
In response, the initiative is actively revamping SDI federation and savings groups across six settlements: Jisonaayili, Kanvili, Choggu, Sognaayili, Kalipohini, and Lamashegu. The work is twofold: rebuilding the women’s federation movement that sustained these communities before the pandemic and simultaneously nurturing a new youth movement capable of carrying that legacy forward.
SAMASOL Passive Cooling Infrastructure: Community-led Climate Adaptation in Action
By Celine Santos
As temperatures continue to rise due to climate change, urban poor communities are vulnerable to extreme heat. To address this challenge, a passive cooling infrastructure initiative was implemented as a catalytic demonstration of climate-responsive housing in the Samahan ng Matute at Soliman Homeowners Association Inc. (SAMASOL HOA) in Davao City. The initiative also strengthened the capacities of neighboring homeowners’ associations (HOAs), including those from Kidapawan and other communities across the Davao Region, through knowledge-sharing and skills development.
As part of the project, three passive-cooling retrofit houses were completed, demonstrating practical, affordable housing improvements that enhance indoor thermal comfort while reducing reliance on electricity. Capacity-building activities equipped community members and leaders with the knowledge and skills to understand the benefits of passive cooling, retrofit existing homes, and adapt household structures to changing climate conditions. These activities also strengthened participants’ competencies in planning, implementing, and maintaining green infrastructure interventions for climate adaptation, while promoting the integration of climate-responsive and green infrastructure principles into local development planning, environmental management, and community resilience initiatives.
The From Islands to Highlands: Strengthening Community-led Climate Adaptation in the Philippines project, implemented by the Philippine Action for Community-led Shelter Initiatives, Inc. (PACSII) under the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) supported Accelerating Locally-Led Responses to Climate Change in Informal Settlements program of Slum Dwellers International (SDI), in partnership with the Homeless People’s Federation Philippines Inc. (HPFPI) and the Technical Assistance Movement for People and Environment, Inc. (TAMPEI), adopted a community-led approach to climate adaptation. Homeowners actively participated in the planning, design, and implementation of the passive cooling retrofits, ensuring that the interventions reflected their needs, priorities, and locally available resources. The three completed retrofit houses now serve as demonstration sites, allowing neighboring communities to observe firsthand that practical, low-cost housing improvements can enhance resilience to extreme heat, improve indoor thermal comfort, and contribute to healthier, more comfortable living conditions.
To support the scaling of these interventions, PACSII, together with TAMPEI and HPFPI, organized a Capacity Building on Green Infrastructure for Climate Adaptation, bringing together homeowners’ associations from across the Davao Region. Through technical sessions, site visits, peer learning, and participatory action planning, participants gained practical knowledge on passive cooling, climate-responsive housing, and green infrastructure. Inspired by the SAMASOL experience, participating communities developed their own action plans to replicate passive cooling and other nature-based climate adaptation solutions within their respective communities.
The success of SAMASOL Passive Cooling Infrastructure demonstrated how community-driven innovation can transform housing into a practical climate adaptation solution. By combining local knowledge, technical expertise, and strong community participation. The project has created a scalable model that contributes to healthier homes, reduced energy costs, and more climate-resilient communities. The lessons generated through this initiative will continue to inform the expansion of passive cooling and green infrastructure interventions across other project sites in Mindanao and beyond.
Call to Action: Understanding Meaningful Youth Engagement (MYE) in Urban Poor Communities
By Celine Santos
Meaningful Youth Engagement (MYE) in informal settlements and urban poor communities is crucial, as young people are often challenged by risks such as climate-related risks, insecure housing, unemployment, limited access to services (e.g., health and education), disaster vulnerability, waste management issues and social exclusion. Through continuous technological advancements and globalization, the youth provide critical insights into their local realities, community dynamics, and innovative, realistic solutions that contribute to traditional planning and decision-making processes.
Through the efforts of Philippine Action for Community-Led Shelter Initiatives, Inc. (PACSII) and Homeless People’s Federation Philippines Inc. (HPFPI), with the Accelerating Locally-Led Responses to Climate Change in Informal Settlements and Slum program, launched by Slum Dwellers International (SDI), supported by funding from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), one of the priorities is strengthening the youth network in the Philippines through the HPFPI Youth in becoming an established National Youth Chapter in the Federation Hub. The SIDA youth engagement pilot site in Iloilo launched the city-level “Kumustahan,”[1] transforming the Iloilo Youth Hub from a single-site initiative into a national learning hub supporting youth-led climate and urban initiatives across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. The Kumustahan highlighted varying levels of youth organizing, identified areas needing support and focused on strengthening youth councils, expanding membership, and scaling youth-led initiatives on climate action, DRR-CCA, waste management, urban development, and community engagement.
It also identified key priorities such as intergenerational mentorship through exposure, youth leadership development, advocacy, resource mobilization, and institutionalizing meaningful youth participation through trainings and workshops within federation structures.
Youth Members of Homeless Peoples’ Federation Philippines Inc. (HPFPI) in Visayas Conducting their Regional Strategic Planning
The Youth Council model begins within the individual Homeowners’ Associations (HOA), where youth participate in local programs and activities with the federation to identify needs and priorities. This entails a feedback mechanism that flows upward to help improve systems, strengthen coordination, and guide future decisions at all levels. Moving upward, the city or local youth councils, which comprise a collection of HOAs, carry out programs and directly engage communities in various activities and initiatives. The Regional Council, which is composed of the city youth councils, serves as the bridge that coordinates communication, adapts national plans to local contexts, and facilitates implementation. Lastly, the national level provides overall guidance, oversight, systems, and policies for the HPFPI Youth Council.
The city-level check-ins concluded in the first quarter of 2026, and now the Youth is on the Regional Strategic Planning (RSP) within the three major islands of the Philippines: Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Moreover, the formation of Youth Councils at the Regional level of the HPFPI Youth recognizes the role of Youth as a bridge between the national network and local communities by ensuring effective communication, adapting national systems to regional needs, and facilitating coordination with city and local councils. Through exposure, mentorship, and training, the youth council is geared towards its alignment with the bigger Federation goals while maintaining agency, leadership roles, and meaningful contributions beyond simply supporting existing structures. Furthermore, strengthening youth leadership, strong information flow, local adaptation, and continuous learning are essential for building effective and sustainable council systems.
[1] Kumustahan is a Filipino term for check-in or catching up from the greeting “kumusta” or “how are you?”
Eyes in the Sky, Feet on the Ground: SDI Youth-Led Mapping in Sierra Leone
By Chinedu Azuara, Donald S.C. Sombie, Gassimu Musa, Mamie Ruth Kamara, Ngozi Blessing Azuara and Tenneh Conteh
We are young SDI federation members from Bo Town in Sierra Leone who have been grounded intensively over the past six months on training programs under the SDI Impact Innovation Initiative. Among all the trainings we received, one worth highlighting is the drone training which was facilitated by the Centre of Dialogue on Human Settlement and Poverty Alleviation (CODOHSAPA).
From March to May 2026, we participated in drone training sessions together with our city council. At the beginning, we faced many challenges. Some were nervous about catching the drone when it was landing to prevent it from hitting the ground, while others struggled to control the drone using the remote controller.
However, through continuous practice, commitment and determination, we gradually overcame these difficulties and learned how to operate and fly drones successfully.
When we completed the training, we conducted drone mapping exercises in three different communities namely Torwama, Kortibuma and Simbaru. The purpose was to identify and document the number of houses and shops, their locations, the livelihoods of residents and the location of various services within the communities. Most importantly, the mapping helped us understand the challenges facing these communities, identify what they are lacking and determine their most pressing needs.
During our survey, we identified key strategic locations within the three communities, including schools, places of worship, livelihood centres and other important community facilities.
However, one major gap we discovered in these settlements was the absence of vocational institutions and training hubs.
As a result, there is an urgent need for youth-focused initiatives that provide skills training and income-generating opportunities to help young people build sustainable livelihoods.
Based on the data collected, we encourage the Government of Sierra Leone and development partners, including NGOs, to establish vocational training centres and youth learning hubs in these settlements. This will equip the youth with practical skills, improve their chances of securing employment or becoming self-employed and contribute to the overall development of their communities. Such interventions will also help reduce poverty, unemployment and crime while creating a brighter future for the youth.
Behind the collective achievements are individual journeys. Hear directly from some of the SDI youth who took part, sharing their experiences in their own words.
Gassimu Musa
I am Gassimu Musa from the Federation of Urban and Rural Poor (FEDURP). I am from the settlement of Mendewa in Bo Town in Sierra Leone. I am a member of the Gbotima Savings Group.
Regardless of their income or status, the women and men that form part of this group have the power to speak with one voice and bring about real change. Savings groups serve as building blocks for our settlement and community. In turn, this helps us to pool our resources and tackle issues that affect our entire community, going beyond just livelihoods.
I am also participating in the SDI Impact Innovation Initiative project. Through this project, I learnt how to fly a drone to do settlement boundary mapping. I also facilitated focus group discussions with my community to help find solutions for our challenges.
Bo Town has a large and growing youth population, yet many young people struggle to get ahead. Unemployment is high, skills training is hard to access and poverty remains a daily reality. Many young people have ideas and want to contribute to their communities, but they lack the support, funding and opportunities to do so.
In my settlement, there is no training centre for youth. This is one of our biggest challenges. As part of this project, we will be building a skills and vocational centre in Bo Town where young people can learn practical skills, start small businesses and find work. I would like to see the youth from my community create their own opportunities and play an active role in building a better Bo Town.
Tenneh Conteh
My name is Tenneh Conteh, a resident of Torwama and a member of the Oneness Savings Group.
What excites me most about Slum Dwellers International (SDI) is seeing how people living in informal settlements come together to create solutions for their own communities. I am inspired by the way SDI mobilises local residents, especially women and youth, to lead change through savings groups, community mapping and collective action.
It is exciting to see communities gain a stronger voice and work with governments on housing, sanitation and other essential services. The idea that people can transform their own neighbourhoods through unity, leadership and shared learning gives me hope and motivation.
Ngozi Blessing Azuara
I am Ngozi Blessing Azuara, a member of the Federation of Urban and Rural Poor (FEDURP) in Gborbu Community, Sierra Leone, and a proud member of the One Hope Savings Group.
Being part of the SDI Impact Innovation Initiative has been a life-changing experience for me. One of the most exciting parts of the programme was the drone training. Before this training, I had never seen a drone being flown up close, let alone operated one myself. Learning how to fly a drone and understanding how it can be used for community development opened my eyes to new possibilities.
Through this training, I gained practical knowledge in drone flying and community mapping. I learned how drones can help capture accurate information about our settlements, identify social amenities, map community boundaries and collect data that can support planning and development. This knowledge has given me a new way of looking at the challenges and opportunities within my community.
In Gborbu Community, many residents face economic challenges and have limited financial resources.
Despite this, members of our One Hope Savings Group remain committed to saving regularly and supporting one another. With the little money they have, they continue to invest in a shared vision of improving our community and creating opportunities for future generations.
Their dedication shows that meaningful change does not always begin with wealth, it begins with unity, commitment and hope.
The drone training has equipped me with skills that I can use to support my community. Through mapping and data collection, I can help identify areas where services are lacking, document community needs and provide evidence that can strengthen our advocacy efforts. This information can be used to engage stakeholders, government institutions, and development partners in addressing challenges affecting our community.
For me, this training was more than just learning to fly a drone. It was about gaining a tool that can help amplify the voice of my community. I am grateful for this opportunity and excited to use the knowledge and skills I have gained to contribute to positive change, support community development and help build a better future for the people in our settlements.
Mamie Ruth Kamara
My name is Mamie Ruth Kamara, a resident of Kortibuma Section in Bo Town, Sierra Leone and a member of the Federation of Urban and Rural Poor (FEDURP).
Over the past six months, we have undergone several trainings under the SDI Impact Innovation Initiative. Some of these trainings included drone training, service mapping, boundary mapping and community engagement.
Among all of them, I would especially like to talk about drone flying, which was the most interesting part for me. Before the training, I did not know how to fly a drone, but after the training sessions, I can now fly one confidently. The mapping helps me get accurate data about my community like the number of houses, schools, water points, services, marketplaces, hospitals, churches, toilets and hazardous points.
The training also helped me acquire skills that I never had before such as communication and facilitation skills. I am willing and eager to continue learning more.
I believe that all youth must be the change they want to see in their communities. We must not just be beneficiaries of projects, but we should be the change.
Chinedu Azuara
My name is Chinedu Azuara from Federation of Urban and Rural Poor (FEDURP) in Sierra Leone. During the Impact Innovation Initiative, I had the opportunity to participate in drone flying and community mapping training.
It was an eye-opening experience that showed me how technology can be used to better understand our communities and support development.
This experience has inspired me to think differently about the challenges facing our communities. As young people, we need more opportunities to learn innovative skills that can help us create lasting impact.
I encourage NGOs, development partners and institutions to invest in youth training. When young people are supported with knowledge and skills, they become part of the solution.
Donald S.C. Sombie
My name is Donald S.C. Sombie, a resident of Bo in Sierra Leone and a proud member of Federation of Urban and Rural Poor (FEDURP).
Thanks to this training, we are now able to apply our knowledge and skills to earn a living. We also encourage other young people who have recently joined or are just receiving this opportunity to take the training seriously and make the most of it.
At the same time, we appeal to the government and other stakeholders across the country to consider engaging us in drone mapping and related activities, as we are now equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to operate drones.
Ziguinchor: When young people map their own neighbourhood
In Ziguinchor, in the neighbourhoods of Tilène, Kandialang Ouest, Néma 2, Kande Alassane, Cobitène, and Lyndiane 2, young people decided to stop waiting for others to change their living environment for them.
From October 2025 to June 2026, through the project “Transforming Vulnerable Neighbourhoods through Data, Youth Entrepreneurship, and Social Innovation,” led by urbaSEN and the Fédération Sénégalaise des Habitants (FSH), they learned to film, map, collect, manage and share data. And after the weeks of training came the most demanding part: going into the field.
The data was collected door-to-door, using the Know Your City methodology, with KoboToolbox and ODK in hand. But behind this somewhat dry word “data,” there is a precise and concrete portrait of six neighbourhoods which official maps most often left in the dark.
From October 2025 to June 2026, through the project “Transforming Vulnerable Neighbourhoods through Data, Youth Entrepreneurship, and Social Innovation,” led by urbaSEN and the Fédération Sénégalaise des Habitants (FSH), they learned to film, map, collect, manage and share data. And after the weeks of training came the most demanding part: going into the field.
The data was collected door-to-door, using the Know Your City methodology, with KoboToolbox and ODK in hand. But behind this somewhat dry word “data,” there is a precise and concrete portrait of six neighbourhoods which official maps most often left in the dark.
The young people began by cataloguing the infrastructure that structures daily life: schools, health centres, places of worship, markets and water points. For each facility, they noted its exact GPS location, the condition of the building, the level of use, and, most importantly, what was lacking. A map showing where there is no school or health centre is sometimes more useful than a map showing where they exist.
They then turned their attention to the roads. Which streets are paved, which become impassable with the first rain, and which don’t even have names? In neighbourhoods where an ambulance or fire truck can get stuck due to lack of access, mapping the roads is far from an abstract exercise: it’s about documenting who can be rescued and who cannot.
The infrastructure component completed this picture: street lighting, drinking fountains, community furniture and shared spaces. Here again, the survey helped distinguish what exists, what works and what has fallen into disrepair: three realities that are too often confused.
The issue of waste was a major focus, because it’s immediately apparent when walking through the neighbourhood. The young people located illegal dumpsites, followed informal collection routes and identified areas where garbage accumulates due to a lack of collection points. This data transforms a nuisance into a problem that can be solved and evidence to negotiate with the municipality for improved technical services.
Finally, sanitation: wastewater disposal, stormwater management, the condition of pipes and flood zones. This is undoubtedly the most sensitive issue, because it intersects with public health, housing and climate risk. By documenting where water stagnates and drains poorly, the young people have created a concrete basis for considering how to adapt their neighbourhoods.
With participatory mapping on OpenStreetMap, all this information has come out of the invisible: areas previously absent from maps now exist, with their streets, their facilities and their deficiencies.
To conclude this first year, a peer-to-peer exchange hosted by Centre of Dialogue on Human Settlement and Poverty Alleviation (CODOHSAPA) and the Federation of the Urban and Rural Poor (FEDURP) was held in Bo, Sierra Leone, from June 15 to 19, 2026, bringing together SDI youth from Ghana, Sierra Leone and Senegal for mutual learning.
Filming, mapping, collecting, managing, sharing: at each stage, young people hold the tools. In Ziguinchor, data is no longer the domain of outside experts. It has become a lever for taking action, challenging local authorities, and sustainably transforming neighbourhoods based on what their own residents have seen, measured, and told.
Ziguinchor : quand les jeunes cartographient leur propre quartier
À Ziguinchor, dans les quartiers de Tilène, Kandialang Ouest, Néma 2, Kande Alassane, Cobitène et Lyndiane 2, des jeunes ont décidé de ne plus attendre que d’autres décrivent leur cadre de vie à leur place. D’octobre 2025 à juin 2026, à travers le projet « Transformation des quartiers vulnérables par les données, l’entrepreneuriat des jeunes et l’innovation sociale », porté par urbaSEN et la Fédération Sénégalaise des Habitants (FSH), ils ont appris à filmer, à cartographier, à collecter, à gérer et à partager. Et après les semaines de formation est venu le moment le plus exigeant : descendre sur le terrain.
La collecte s’est faite porte à porte, selon la méthodologie Know Your City, avec KoboToolbox et ODK dans les mains. Mais derrière ce mot un peu sec de « données », il y a en réalité le portrait précis et concret de six quartiers que les cartes officielles laissaient le plus souvent dans le flou.
Les jeunes ont d’abord recensé les infrastructures qui structurent la vie quotidienne : écoles, postes de santé, lieux de culte, marchés, points d’eau. Pour chaque équipement, ils ont noté la position exacte au GPS, l’état du bâti, le niveau de fréquentation, et surtout ce qui manquait. Une carte qui montre où il n’y a pas d’école ou pas de poste de santé est parfois plus utile qu’une carte qui montre où ils existent.
Ils se sont ensuite penchés sur la voirie. Quelles rues sont bitumées, lesquelles deviennent impraticables à la première pluie, lesquelles ne portent même pas de nom ? Dans des quartiers où une ambulance ou un camion de pompiers peut rester bloqué faute d’accès, cartographier la voirie n’a rien d’un exercice abstrait : c’est documenter qui peut être secouru et qui ne le peut pas.
Le volet équipements a complété ce tableau : éclairage public, bornes-fontaines, mobilier collectif, espaces communautaires. Là encore, l’enquête a permis de distinguer ce qui existe, ce qui fonctionne, et ce qui est tombé à l’abandon : trois réalités que l’on confond trop souvent.
La question des déchets a occupé une place importante, parce qu’elle saute aux yeux dès qu’on marche dans le quartier. Les jeunes ont localisé les dépôts sauvages, suivi les circuits informels de ramassage, repéré les zones où les ordures s’accumulent faute de point de collecte. Cette donnée transforme une nuisance subie en problème lisible, donc négociable avec la commune et les services techniques.
Enfin, l’assainissement : évacuation des eaux usées, gestion des eaux de pluie, état des canalisations, zones inondables. C’est sans doute le sujet le plus sensible, parce qu’il croise la santé publique, l’habitat et le risque climatique. En documentant où l’eau stagne et où elle s’écoule mal, les jeunes ont produit une base concrète pour penser l’adaptation de leurs quartiers.
Avec la cartographie participative sur OpenStreetMap, toutes ces informations sont sorties de l’invisible : des zones jusqu’ici absentes des cartes existent désormais, avec leurs rues, leurs équipements et leurs manques.
Pour clôturer cette première année, un échange entre pairs organisé par le Centre pour le dialogue sur l’habitat humain et la lutte contre la pauvreté (CODOHSAPA) et la Fédération des pauvres des zones urbaines et rurales (FEDURP) s’est tenu à Bo, en Sierra Leone, du 15 au 19 juin 2026, réunissant des jeunes du programme SDI venus du Ghana, de la Sierra Leone et du Sénégal dans un esprit d’apprentissage mutuel.
Filmer, cartographier, collecter, gérer, partager : à chaque étape, ce sont les jeunes qui tiennent les outils. À Ziguinchor, la donnée n’est plus une affaire d’experts venus de l’extérieur. Elle devient un levier pour entreprendre, interpeller les autorités locales et transformer durablement les quartiers à partir de ce que leurs propres habitants ont vu, mesuré et raconté.
