Bebalem Area Program

Bebalem is a rural area in southwest Chad consisting of 15 villages and four pastoral camps. Of the nearly 36,000 residents, nearly 20% are below age five and a majority (97%) is Christian.

Bebalem has two seasons: a rainy season from May to October and a dry season from November to April. Most families rely on small-scale farming for income. However, inconsistent rainfall, soil depletion, and the advancement of the desert have led to poor agricultural yields in recent years. Population growth and pressure on the land have also forced some families to move during the year in search of cultivable land.

The education, health and protection of children across Bebalem requires significant improvements. Although the residents of Bebalem face many obstacles, they work for the betterment of the area by pooling resources and actively participating in community-building activities.

Poverty is at the root of the challenges children face in accessing quality education, health and protection services. A shortage of economic opportunities and low educational levels for parents, in combination with a lack of services for vulnerable children, has hindered the development of Bebalem.

Health
Children in Bebalem face numerous barriers in attaining good health. Only two, poorly equipped health centers exist. There are also low levels of immunization, high rates of malaria, hepatitis and malnutrition, and most women do not have medical professionals present when giving birth. Waterborne diseases also pose a risk as there are only six boreholes and two alternate water sources for the nearly 36,000 residents.

Education
Across Chad, the quality of education in primary school is weak. A 2017 education report revealed that only 47 per cent of adults who had completed primary school were able to read. Low literacy is a result, in part, of 68 per cent of teachers in rural areas lacking teaching qualifications. In Bebalem, 25 per cent of children aged 6-11 years are not in school and most of the schools lack access to water, latrines and teaching material for students and teachers. There are a staggering 67 students per classroom on average in the area, leading to significant challenges in supporting children with various needs.

Child Protection & Participation
Protecting children from harm remains a challenge in Bebalem. Early and forced marriage, abuse, forced initiation and child labour are common in the area. Registering children at birth is also not consistently done, leading to additional challenges in children accessing school and services that protect them from harm.

World Vision will work with community members and partners to develop an environment where all children can thrive. We will strive to protect children against all forms of abuse, ensure children receive a quality education, and improve the nutritional status of children.

Health

In partnership with Canadian sponsors and residents of Bebalem, World Vision will work to:

• Support health centres in achieving a regular supply of medication and equipment
• Conduct awareness sessions on preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS
• Screen for malnourished children and train mothers on how to keep their children well nourished.

Education

To ensure children can access and benefit from quality education, World Vision will assist the community to:

• Train teachers on the Unlock Literacy model, thereby enhancing children's reading and numeracy skills
• Increase the amount of teaching materials teachers have at their disposal
• Establish reading camps and train facilitators to reach the most vulnerable children
• Advocate with governments for the creation of new school infrastructure.

Child Protection & Participation

To protect the most vulnerable in society, World Vision will:

• Increase awareness on child rights, including addressing child marriage
• Promote the registration of birth certificates for children
• Work with partners to protect children from domestic violence and child labour.