BERUDEP's 10th Birthday Celebration  











Dear Friends, on behalf of all the BERUDEP staff, the BERUDEP volunteers and the local community of Boyo Division I wish to thank you for your great support for the BERUDEP 10th birthday celebrations.

As planned, we have organized 4 competitions; 3 at a sub-divisional level (they took place in Belo, Njinikom and Fundong) and one overall, divisional competition, which took place in Fundong. In the finals, the sub-divisional winners had the opportunity to compete with each other at the divisional level. They were evaluated in the following categories: Best Honey, Best medicinal Plants, Best Honey By-Products and Best Vetiver Craft. An additional attraction of the final day was the football match played by women from Belo and Njinikom. We would love to share the moments of celebration with you. To make this happen we have prepared this short photo story which we hope you will enjoy. All of these events would not be possible without your support.
Thank you
Ngwainmbi Simon Chia

BERUDEP Director, Ngwainmbi Simon Chia, during his opening speech. 
 











The display of the competing products the women who take part in the competition display their products. 











A display of products by Sallah Thaddeus. Mr Sallah has been awarded first prize in the category "Honey - Best Apiaries" in the Njinikom pre-selection. 

Women presenting their vetiver craft and medicinal plants












The presentation of honey, medicinal plants and other products by the Njinikom branch of BERUDEP. The BERUDEP products did not take part in the competition, the aim of the display was to promote them.












Awaiting their turn to introduce the products to the distinguished guests gathered in the Njinikom hall. Every competing group was asked to select a speaker, who briefly described the products of the group. 

The Opening in Belo - 10th of March 2007 















The BERUDEP Director accompanied by the Divisional officer of Belo Subdivision.












The BERUDEP Director and the D.O. discuss the exhibition.












Inauguration of the Belo celebration. There were several groups performing traditional music and dances.













Another group of traditional performers. The performances added to the great atmosphere of the Belo opening. 












The BERUDEP Director summarizes the achievements of BERUDEP in his word of welcome.
















A Belo woman, one of the participants, in the competition presents her craft.












Some competing products (here: vetiver craft)












Preparing a display














The BERUDEP Director provides a short lecture on medicinal plants.















Lectures held by BERUDEP.












Presentation of products

The final Day - Funding, 9 April 2007









Some of the best rated products that entered the final competition 












Women's football match: Belo vs. Njinikom. The winning team was Belo.















One of the BERUDEP jury members, Chiambah Enoch, examines the water content in honey to evaluate the quality of the product and select the final winners. 











Back office preparation: making the certificates ready. 

The audience waiting for the announcement of winners. 

The BERUDEP Women agreed on wearing a special uniform outfit during the final day. 

Moments of joy: government representatives grant the awards and certificates to the winners. 



 

There were 12 prizes awarded in the finals. The final winners received certificates and considerable cash prizes in recognition of their achievements. Also, the winners of the semi-finals were awarded small cash prizes together with certificates. By awarding the prizes BERUDEP hope to encourage the local community to practise what BERUDEP promote, that is: vetiver technologies, natural medicinal plants and honey production - all for income generation. 

Written by Dagmara Furman, Hubert Gorbaczewski-Kuzniak