Who we are
We are a small international development organisation based in Bakewell, Derbyshire. Our philosophy is that African people should be offered assistance to drive change in their own lives, to achieve their own goals towards a full and rich life.
We work in innovative and sustainable ways to support community development amongst the marginalised rural poor, particularly working with women and young people. Many of these communities are very isolated without roads, electricity, clean water, schools or clinics. The average family income is less than £2 a week, and infant mortality can be as high as 20%. In Sierra Leone, for example, life expectancy is only 39.
We work in direct partnership with local non-government organisations, run by African for Africans. These organisations are firmly embedded within rural communities. They are best placed to reach excluded groups, and to strengthen their capacity to take charge of their own development process, so that they can analyse their problems and find sustainable solutions, using local resources and experience.
We support projects such as REFLECT learning circles which use literacy education to empower people and bring about social change (particularly women and young people), by people analysing their problems and confronting issues together. Based on an ongoing process of reflection and action, REFLECT empowers people to work to improve their family and community and develop a more just and equitable society. The REFLECT process underpins our other work such as:-
- HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention
- Human rights particularly for women
- Agricultural training
- Improving food security and nutrition
- Micro credit and small business development
- Sustainable agro-forestry
Vilage AiD is currently researching a project to promote health literacy.