Since 1998, AAB has promoted core peace building activities, emphasizing the rehabilitation and reintegration of displaced people and ex-combatants through self help projects using participatory methods, including mass communication tools. This work was accompanied by cross cutting approaches and intervention in the area of HIV/AIDS which had both care and rehabilitation dimensions.
These strategic directions were implemented through thematic interventions using community projects in the following areas:
Education, social mobilization and adult literacy
AAB work in education consisted mainly of school construction and promoting access to quality education as a means of peace building and long term investment for sustainable development. Mobilization and organization through REFLECT methods at grass roots level were meant to raise awareness on the need for peace and reconstruction. REFLECT as a participatory method was used to mobilize grass roots communities, especially women, to rebuild a minimum of social cohesion and self reliance that would allow them to carry out self help projects aimed at restoring livelihoods. The newsletter EJO published in local languages helped to rebuild a sense of community and share good practices.
Food security and livelihood
AAB helped communities recovering from the conflict by supporting them to gain their livelihood through food or input distribution in the Development Areas. Then after, communities were assisted to group themselves into associations and cooperatives for sustainable agriculture. Over the years knowledge in food production, policy formulation and budget tracking has been increased for these associations and communities and major campaigns are lead by them, Actionaid supporting their efforts.
AAB work on HIV/AIDS in 2002-20011 was based on projects and cross cutting work
Focused on supporting the National Aids Council (CNLS) in developing institutional capacity at both central and local Government level to respond to the pandemic. AAB aimed at developing the human resource capacity of CNLS and providing financial support in planning and responding to the pandemic. A significant part of the project consisted as well in supporting civil society organizations to build their capacities and develop networks in order to respond effectively to the pandemic and carry out sustainable campaigns to fight against stigma and lobby for access to universal healthcare for those affected by HIV/AIDs.
Women’s rights
This consisted in mainstreaming women’s rights across the programme. Women's rights work was put at the centre of all our interventions. The work revolves around fighting violence against women, access to justice for women whose rights are violated, reducing economic dependency for women and strengthening women’s rights associations.
Just and democratic governance
Much of the governance work was however limited by the prevailing context – the lack of a national unified credible Government that civil society could engage with to promote broader based public programs. However, communities, civil societies were capacitated in ELBAG, budget tracking, and building alliances that can carry out strategies and sustainable campaigns on governance issues.
The CP has 43 staff working at both LRP and National level. Given the financial resource constraints due to the country’s instability and financial crisis that is having impact on our incomes; the results of the programme were modest. With financial health of AAB in the near future, the programme will achieve more in the four mentioned areas.