The autonomous Islands of Peace :

Gohira (Bangladesh)

In Gohira, an overpopulated region of Bangladesh, where much of the land is swamp, the first Island of Peace was born, initiated by Dominique Pire in 1962 following his encounter with the distress of the victims of a cyclone. The Island of Peace of Gohira (1962-1967) concentrated its action on the intensification of rice culture and other cultivation by a better agronomic follow-up. It introduced techniques of water regulation, more productive varieties and the use of fodder.

It was built on the creation and the organisation of a network of co-operatives which regrouped peasants and granted them with credit at reduced rates.

The results were encouraging: in 5 years, the size of the area suitable for cultivation increased from 2000 to 4000 hectares whereas the production doubled.

At the same time, the project was interested in the emancipation of women by leading actions in the fields of health, craft industry, education and co-operation organisation.

In Gohira, the spirit of association inspired by the project has been the driving force of development. Still today, more than 30 years after the departure of Islands of Peace, it keeps its impact: some 150 co-operatives of which around 30 are specifically composed of women, constitute the ferment of a community which comprises more than 80.000 people.

>Further reading about the Island of Peace of Gohira

Kalakad (India)

Situated in the extreme South of India in the state of Tamil Nadu, the region of Kalakad is particularly arid. Irrigation techniques were the main issues tackled. Between 1967 and 1975, the Island of Peace enabled the irrigation of nearly 550 hectares of land and dug more than 400 wells. There too, co-operatives supported and managed these investments.

The other part of the action of the Island of Peace of Kalakad, which rapidly became its strong point, was concerned with the social promotion of extremely disadvantaged populations. The Island of Peace supported the development of kindergartens, organised literacy classes, vocational training and a network of health services. All these services enhanced Kalakad as a pole of education recognised throughout the region. People came there to be informed about development, traditional pharmacopoeia or rural sensitisation.

As in Gohira, the vitality of women's movements played an essential role here. Grouped in associations or co-operatives, women were educated, they learnt how to save and invest as well as create their own productive activities. As in Gohira, the model of the Island of Peace has had an expanding effect on its surroundings. Two local initiatives have been built on the model of Kalakad.

>Further reading about the Island of Peace of Kalakad

Timbuktu (Mali)

It is the great droughts of the Sahel in the early 1970's that brought Islands of Peace to Africa. Situated in the South of the Sahara, 3 days trip from the capital, Bamako, the town of Timbuktu was hit by this ecological disaster which ruined its agriculture. Moreover, this town experienced a flow of nomads of whom their flocks had perished.

The Island of Peace of Timbuktu (1975-1994) was built on the experiences of Gohira and Kalakad in regards to irrigation in order to exploit the potential of the Niger river which is situated not far. On the left bank, a plain of 550 hectares was developed for the irrigated cultivation of rice: the parameter of Korioume. Its average production of 3 tonnes per hectare strongly contributed to the reestablishment of food security in the region. In 1985, the management of infrastructures was entirely undertaken by an agricultural co-operative (the first in Mali) which had more than 500 members.

Water is not only essential for agriculture, but also for men and animals. Islands of Peace supported a programme concerned with the development of around 100 wells and around 12 "contre-puits" along the famous Salt Road.

Finally, in order to secure agricultural production, the Island of Peace supported a network of mechanical maintenance which insured the upkeep and repair of irrigation motor-pumps as well as motorised machines.

Since this innovative action, more than 2000 additional hectares have been exploited in the region of Timbuktu thanks to irrigation. Both international organisations and small private producers have followed the example of the Island of Peace of Timbuktu in improving the condition of the region. Colette Braekman wrote in Le Soir of 16 December 1999 in regards to the pacification of North Mali following the rebellion of the Touaregs: "The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has contributed to the reintegration of these former rebels by putting to good use the irrigation agricultural development experiences which were led by the Belgian NGO, Islands of Peace for 20 years."

Yalogo (Burkina Faso)

In 1982, Yalogo, a small community North East of Burkina Faso, was victim of its only asset. On the frontier of the Sahel, a lake of several millions of cube meters represented an undeniable appeal for farmers and breeders. After a few years, this small village became an important regional centre: pressure from the population and the animals was increasing on the lands, they were getting poorer and the desert was moving forward.

It is in this context that Islands of Peace established itself there just before the revolution of Thomas Sankara. The Island of Peace of Yalogo (1982-1999) focused its activities on three fields. The first was concerned with the increase of the revenues of agriculture. The development of 8 parameters of rice-fields around the lake, which provides a stable source of income to nearly 900 families, is without doubt, the most remarkable achievement of our work together, without omitting at this level, operations of protection of lands against erosion, reforestation as well as truck-farming. Islands of Peace supported the construction of small improved ponds which enabled the live stock to drink close to the village during all seasons. Finally, the support of socially oriented initiatives in the region (women empowerment, improvement of education,...) constituted the third facet of the Island of Peace of Yalogo.

Before the departure, the heritage left behind was much more important than visible material infrastructures. The population of Yalogo felt capable of managing their own future, not only to pursue activities that were led together for at least 15 years, but also to launch new initiatives.

>Further reading about the Island of Peace of Yalogo

The Ilha de Paz of Bolama (Guinea Bissau)

The geographical, cultural and economic isolation is what best characterises the archipelagos of Bijagos, where is situated the Island of Peace of Bolama, in Guinea Bissau, a small country South of Senegal. This situation presents a real challenge for any development action. Since 1986, the project is oriented towards the sea and attempts to enable an improved local development of this resource, still under-exploited by the population, through training and sale of necessary fishing equipment.

At the same time, the project endeavours to consolidate economic activity on the Island of Bolama around fishing and agriculture. An autonomous shipyard build wooden boats whose reputation is very good troughout the country. Associations of producers diversify their activities (fishing, horticulture, sewing,...) thanks to the credit funds of Islands of Peace. The last project of consolidation of the local economy consists of the re-launching of ice production on the island, an indispensable condition to achieve the next step in the fishing activity.

The Ilha de Paz Bolama became autonomous at the beginning of 2003