Many diaspora members that engage in CD4D assignments are also engaged in other projects. For example, Mr. Hakeem Gibril, a Sierra Leonean participant also works as a volunteer healthcare consultant at the Centre for Collective Learning and Action (CCoLA) in Leiden.
The nature of the organisation is development orientated and seeks to lobby for African diaspora members to be integrated in the formulation of development policies for and on behalf of Africa and consequently in the decision making process.
Ultimately, CCoLA seeks to change the mainstream narrative around migration showing that diaspora members can be ‘agents of change’ by contributing to the development of their place of origin. The organization engages in building and strengthening communities in Sub-Saharan Africa by promoting collective learning and action. It is CCoLA’s objective to see communities thrive and become self-sustaining.
Currently, Hakeem and his colleagues at CCoLA are working on several projects in Guinea and Sierra Leone. In Guinea, they are working on a waste management (medical) program where they train locals in waste management strategies (from generation to disposal and potential business opportunities thereof) for a healthier environment. The social cohesion project in Leiden and The Hague aims at investigating what role diaspora can play in the development of their place of origin and adopted communities.
Hakeem therefore, as well as taking part in the CD4D project, also engages himself in sharing his knowledge and skills with a greater audience both in The Netherlands and his place of origin.
Paving the Road to Success