INCREASING ACCESS TO SOCIAL SERVICES IN CEEL JAALE TOWN By Daryeel Project with Ceel-Jaale Community, Marka District. Through a participatory community consultation process, the Ceel-Jaale community identified the urgent need for a public market, which is currently lacking and negatively affecting the town, especially women who do not have a designated space to run and own small-scale businesses. The construction of this market aims to enhance livelihood opportunities for business owners and benefit the community as well as surrounding areas. Additionally, the market will foster interaction among various clans residing in Marka. Ceel Jaale is located 8 km from Marka town under the Marka District Administration. It is a coastal town near the seaport known as Hebta Sambuska, relying primarily on fishing, livestock, and farming for livelihoods. The town has an estimated population of 10,200, including roughly 4,800 internally displaced persons (IDPs). It has been under government control since 2012. The Ceel Jaale community has shown strong interest and actively participated in the Marka District community-based planning and matching grant sessions through the Daryeel Project, which supplements community-raised funds at a set ratio. This funding scheme encourages cooperation among community sub-groups, fostering collective action and social cohesion. Since this is the first time Ceel Jaale is piloting such a co-financing project, the community prioritized the construction of a public market. The market will promote socio-economic development and enhance social cohesion. It will also support a women-led economy, as women in Lower Shabelle are recognized as key breadwinners. The matching grant ratio is 1:3, with the community contributing $25,000 and the project matching $75,000, making the total cost of the project $100,000. The implementation process is government-led and community-driven. Increased intercommunal interaction and engagement with local government promote both horizontal and vertical trust, helping to reduce potential conflicts that have historically affected these fragile areas. Thank you for contributing toward improving access to socio-economic amenities in Ceel Jaale town. Your support helps establish public spaces that foster equitable resource mobilization, a sound business environment, and recreational opportunities to uplift peace and social cohesion.

No items found.