Since its launch in Yirimadjo in 2005, Project Muso has worked with Tostan to train and support local Community Organizers to identify and develop solutions to the most dire challenges within their communities.

In 2010, Tostan and Project Muso’s joint community organizing efforts expanded dramatically, as we trained 238 community organizers. These 238 Community Organizers have established a Federation of 14 Community Management Committees (CMCs).

Within each CMC, seven sub-committees focus on specific domains of community development, such as health, the environment, education, and economic development. Through these smaller working groups, sub-committee leaders mobilize residents to identify, join, and support
new community projects.

CMCs successfully organized community vaccination events in partnership with local Ministry of Health structures, providing essential support to Ministry of Health partners and raising awareness about the safety and benefits of vaccination. Their joint efforts resulted in more than
9,000 meningitis vaccinations, 1,945 treatments for schistosomiasis, 7,600 vitamin A supplements, and 7,300 de-worming treatments. The CMC’s visible endorsement of these public health campaigns promoted participation among those who were suspicious or unaware of the
benefits of vaccination.

To protect the environment and community resources,five committees coordinated the planting of 284 trees and bushes, mobilizing resources from within the community and securing a donation of 50 trees from the Department of Water and Forests. Additionally, Yirimadjo residents came together for twenty-nine CMC-organized clean-up events of neighborhoods and public spaces. These activities promoted dignity, neighborhood hygiene, and prevented pooling water which can lead to disease.

Certain communities identified infrastructure needs as crucial for their economic development. Four communities organized road refilling and repair after the rainy season—an expensive undertaking that required significant fundraising within the community. The CMC of North Yirimadjo also constructed a bridge to pass over a stream and connect five Yirimadjo neighborhoods with a major road, increasing automobile and public transportation access to these communities. With their CMC serving as an organizing force, the people of Yirimadjo Nord
successfully mobilized $2,080 to construct the bridge, hired an engineer, secured in kind donations, mobilized volunteer construction teams, repaired the road leading to the bridge, and negotiated for a city bus company to start a new route leading over the bridge into their community. 

The construction of this bridge and the refilling of nearby roads have linked the community to a major national thoroughfare and allowed public transportation to enter into the heart of Yirimadjo for the first time. In addition to economic opportunities, associated with this development comes a sense of pride for residents, who through their collective efforts have put their community on the local map.

Other Community Projects Include:

• Access to Potable Water
  
• Medical Consultations in the Community