Interview with Abdou Waliou

Working with OAN International

Can you tell us a little about yourself before you got to know OAN?

• Your name: MAMA Abdou Waliou
• Where are you from? From Nikki
• What did you do before joining OAN? I was an independent assistant consultant at Fi-Agri 4 for the lowland development project, a domestic gardener and a mobile veterinarian.
• What training have you received? I have received training in Agricultural Sciences and Techniques.
• How did you imagine your future back then? I imagined myself being a great farmer and livestock breeder.
• Is there anything else you would like to add? I would also like to be a great volleyball player at the international level.

What is OAN Nikki?

It is an international organization based in the commune of Nikki that works on community social projects to improve the living conditions of disadvantaged communities in the fields of health, social affairs and the environment, promoting their overall well-being.

What convinced you to join the OAN Nikki team?

I wanted to do my bit to contribute to the development of our disadvantaged communities.

What is your job at OAN and what has joining the team meant for you?

At OAN, I am a facilitator on the project to combat malnutrition and previously I was a gardening technician. For me, being part of this team means working on the fight against child malnutrition in the villages where we work.

What motivates you to keep working with OAN Nikki?

What motivates me to keep working with OAN is the friendly working environment, the team dynamic and its rigor at work.

Challenges and opportunities of development cooperation

In your opinion, what approach should international cooperation take to foster development?

International cooperation is already making a great effort for the development of our communities. However, if it could strengthen its actions on the project to combat malnutrition, it would be ideal for it to fully and free of charge take on the cases of malnutrition detected and referred to the hospital. In addition, if the gardening project were resumed, it would be advisable to fence off the areas with metal structures and guarantee inexhaustible water sources for the permanent irrigation of the crops in the garden.

How would you describe the ideal development for Nikki? / What model of development do you think the people of Nikki want?

The ideal development for Nikki would be based on the financial autonomy of young people through the creation of income-generating activities. I believe the development model that the people of Nikki want is agronomic development.

Life in Nikki beyond development cooperation

What do you do when you are off working hours?

Outside of work, I devote myself to farming, livestock breeding and I also run a small stand for transactions and the sale of phone top-ups.

Have you had any role model in your life? (Who and why?)

Yes, I have had a role model and an inspiring person in my life: NZAMUJO Godfrey. He is the promoter of the Songhaï Center and owns renowned farms in West Africa.