AT LOOK AT THE STRUGGLE TO BRING COMPETITIVE SWIMMING TO GUINEA BISSAU

Highlights of Siphiwe Baleka efforts to help FINA develop Swimming in Africa and the fight against him.

MISSION OF THE INTERNATIONAL SWIMMING FEDERATION (FINA)

“The mission of the FINA development programme is to elevate the importance of aquatics worldwide by providing a framework for increased participation, enhanced promotion, and global competitive success in the sport. Focusing its attention on: Promotion and support, education, governance & administration and high performance & training.” - FINA.org

“Your devotion to promote African swimming is quite laudable and wish we could have many more Siphiwes around.” 

- Doreen Tiborcz, Masters Committee Chairman at FINA, October 11, 2019

1988 - at 17 years of age, I swam the 100 meters freestyle in 53.17 at the Long Course Junior Olympic Championships in Orlando, Florida. In 1989, the African Continental record was 53.08, which would have made me the second fastest black swimmer on the African Continent.

1989 - at 18 years of age, I won the Illinois Swimming State Championship in the 200 meter breastroke in a time of 2:28.2, faster than the African Continental record at the time, 2:31.33 held by Nabil Ben Aissa of Tunisia.

1991 - at the age of twenty, I swam the 100 meters freestyle in 52.29 - nine-tenths of a second slower than the US Olympic Trial Qualifying time. My time was 22nd fastest in the United States and was fast enough to place 48th out of 65 swimmers at the 1992 Olympics. The time was also fast enough to break the African Continental record, 53.08, held by Mohamed Lattaoui of Egypt (1989). My 100 breast time of 1:07.4 was also faster than the African Continental record of 1:09.05 held by Abderazzek Bella of Algeria. Finally, my 200 IM time of 2:10.20 was faster than the African Continental record of 2:13.55 held by Samir Bouchlagem of Tunisia. Had I been advised to return to my ancestral homeland of Guinea Bissau and compete for them, i would have been considered one of Africa’s greatest swimmers at the time.

1996 -  “[Yale Swim Coach Frank] Keefe recalls meeting [Baleka] for lunch that semester and doing a double take when his former star walked into the diner. "He was a Rastafarian," Keefe said. "He said that he wanted to be the national swim coach of Ethiopia. We had a great conversation—with [Siphiwe] you always did. But, yeah, he was out there." from Sports Illustrated Article

AUGUST 28, 2015 -  1st attempt to compete in the African Swimming Championships email to CANA

From: Siphiwe Baleka <fitnesstrucking@gmail.com>

Date: Fri, Aug 28, 2015 at 2:00 PM

Subject: Eligibility to Swim in African Championships

To: <canazone4secretariat@gmail.com>

Greetings, 

My name is Siphiwe Baleka. I am interested in swimming on the African Continent in 2016. I was born and raised in America, but DNA testing shows that my paternal ancestry is Balanta (people living in Guinea Bissau today) and that my maternal Ancestry is Yoruba. I am a two-time US Masters Swimming National Champion and the first African-American on the All Ivy League Swim Team. Below are my recent race results at the 2015 US Masters Long Course Nationals. In 2012, I became the first African American to finish Ironman South Africa (see my book TriBlackAlete) You can find out more about me by watching the Fox Sports live video. 

I would like to know about the possibility of swimming in the African National Championships (on the basis of my ancestry) next year. 

 Thank you for your time,

Siphiwe Baleka

NOTE: NO RESPONSE FROM CANA ZONE 4 SECRETARIAT

DECEMBER 16, 2015 - Reaching out to the FINA Masters Technical Committee

From: Siphiwe Baleka <fitnesstrucking@gmail.com>

Date: Wed, Dec 16, 2015 at 5:06 PM

Subject: Competing in Africa in 2016

To: Mel Goldstein <goldsteinmel@sbcglobal.net>

Greetings Mel,

Any opportunity for me to compete somewhere in Africa in 2016?

Siphiwe Baleka

NOTE: NO RESPONSE FROM MEL GOLDSTEIN, FINA MASTERS TECHNICAL COMMITTEE

JANUARY 2, 2016 - Competing in Africa in 2016

From: Siphiwe Baleka <fitnesstrucking@gmail.com>

Date: Sat, Jan 2, 2016 at 3:02 PM

Subject: Competing in Africa in 2016

To: Mel Goldstein <goldsteinmel@sbcglobal.net>, Laura Hamel <lhamel@usms.org>

Cc: Shaun Adriaanse <canazone4secretariat@gmail.com>, analima29@hotmail.com, info@samastersswimming.com, kennedy@yebo.co.za, guyh@summercon.co.za, wahoosecretary@gmail.com, pjduffy@broll.com, bosmead@gmail.com, mangelos@mweb.co.za, "winrose@telkomsa.net" <winrose@telkomsa.net>, "odendaalannemarie0@gmail.com" <odendaalannemarie0@gmail.com>, "judy.collins@vodamail.co.za" <judy.collins@vodamail.co.za>, "hestersnyman@mweb.co.za" <hestersnyman@mweb.co.za>, marinetzswimmingclub@gmail.com, info@swimafrica.net, sports@ug.edu.gh, headofschool@lincoln.edu.gh, kmoolchandani@lincoln.edu.gh, info@softkenya.com, eth@telecom.net.et, "Green, Robert (DPR)" <robert.green@dc.gov>, Kathy Cooper <blackheritageswimming@gmail.com>

Greetings,

This email is going out to people and organizations that may be interested in my effort to become a World Champion at the 2017 FINA Masters World Championships (Men's 45-49 Age Group). If I am successful, I may become the first African American Masters Swimming World Champion. In preparation, I am planning to connect my passion for swimming with my ancestral heritage, something I did in 2012 when I became the US Masters Swimming National Champion in two evetns and then became the first African American to complete Ironman South Africa.

In preparation for 2017 Masters Swimming World Championships, I am planning my own personal Black Swimming tour in 2016 that begins with the 30th Annual BlackHistory Invitational Swim Meet in Washington, D.C. February 12th through the 16th. Then moves to the 14th Annual National Black Heritage Swim Meet in Cary, North Carolina May 28-29. I am hoping to culminate this tour with a competition in Africa sometime between August and December 2016. The purpose of such a trip would be:

1) interest African Americans in the sport of swimming at all levels, from kids through masters

2) provide historical and cultural components to the sport

3) connect black swimmers in America with black swimmers in Africa

4) propsect on possibilities for coaching black swimmers in Africa

5) compete against some of the best swimmers, white and black, on the African continent

6) provide personal fulfilment returning to the continent

In essence, this campaign is a way for me to combine two of the most important things in my life: my ancestors and swimming.

If you are able to provide any information about any opportunities to compete and participate in any ongoing swimming program on the African continent in the second half of 2016, please don't hesitate to contact me.

Respectfully,

Siphiwe Baleka

NOTE: NO RESPONSE

AUGUST 23, 2019 - Contacting Senegal and Guinea Bissau Swim Federations

From: Siphiwe Baleka <fitnesstrucking@gmail.com>

To: Kyle Deery

Cc: Fares Ksebati ; Mel Goldstein <goldsteinmel@sbcglobal.net>; Paige Walters

Sent: Friday, August 23, 2019, 11:56:18 AM EDT

Subject: Contacting Senegal and Guinea Bissau Swim Federations

Greetings Kyle,

My apologies for all the requests lately, but with Laura not at USMS anymore, you are the only one that I know. I need help contacting  Dr. Mohamed Diop, FINA Bureau Member from Dakar  I will be traveling to Senegal and Guinea Bissau in late December and I want to do some swim related activities, possibly some swim clinics. I need swimming contacts in these countries. Perhaps USA Swimming can help as well. I've contacted Mel Goldstein previously and he is CC'd on this email as well. I appreciate any help or contacts that you can provide.

Respectfully,

Siphiwe Baleka

From: Mel Goldstein <goldsteinmel@sbcglobal.net>

Date: Fri, Aug 23, 2019 at 7:26 PM

Subject: Re: Contacting Senegal and Guinea Bissau Swim Federations

To: Siphiwe Baleka <fitnesstrucking@gmail.com>

Cc: Kyle Deery, Fares Ksebati, Paige Walters

Siphiwe

Mohamond is from Senegal not Dakar.. I will forward your message to him and he will contact you if his federation is interested 

From: Siphiwe Baleka <fitnesstrucking@gmail.com>

Date: Fri, Aug 23, 2019 at 7:33 PM

Subject: Re: Contacting Senegal and Guinea Bissau Swim Federations

To: Mel Goldstein <goldsteinmel@sbcglobal.net>

Cc: Kyle Deery , Fares Ksebati , Paige Walters

Mel, Dakar is the capital of Senegal.

From: Mel Goldstein <goldsteinmel@sbcglobal.net>

Date: Sat, Aug 24, 2019 at 2:24 AM

Subject: Re: Contacting Senegal and Guinea Bissau Swim Federations

To: Siphiwe Baleka <fitnesstrucking@gmail.com>, Kyle Deery

Yes, my bad thinking of Doha .. I have sent your message to Mohammod.

Mel Goldstein, Education Services | U.S. Masters Swimming

Le 27 août 2019 21:08, Mel Goldstein <goldsteinmel@sbcglobal.net> a écrit :

Mohamed, 

I hope your travels were uneventful as was mine... This gentlemen contacted our National Office and wanted to make contact with you... I am reluctant to give out information.  If you want to contact him his email is below...

I still want that blue shirt...

Mel Goldstein, Education Services | U.S. Masters Swimming

On Tue, Aug 27, 2019 at 7:49 PM Mohamed Diop <drmohameddiop@yahoo.fr> wrote:

Dear Siphiwe

My friend foward me you email.

I will happy to meet you in Dakar in décembre.

Infortunally, Guinée Bissau don't have active fédération but i can give you One contact.

Please received my WhatsApp contact :

Dr Mohamed Diop +221766696539

Regards Mohamed 

OCTOBER 3, 2019 -

Siphiwe Baleka’s Sorcery Dominates 1st International Masters Swimming Championships

OCTOBER 19, 2019 -

On 9 Oct 2019, at 16:15, Siphiwe Baleka <fitnesstrucking@gmail.com> wrote:

Greetings Doreen,

It was a pleasure to meet with you in Egypt and have the opportunity to talk frankly about FINA and your work as the Masters Committee Chairman. Please keep me in mind whenever there is an opportunity to compete or promote swimming at all levels in Africa. Towards that end, African Sports Monthly will be featuring my interview in their magazine next month (see email thread below) to start this campaign. I will be working to promote African swimming for the 2022 Youth Olympics in Dakar, Senegal as well as to promote Masters Swimming, too. 

Respectfully,

Siphiwe Baleka

DECEMBER 29, 2019 - ASVG MOU for African Ancestry

From: Siphiwe Baleka <fitnesstrucking@gmail.com>

Date: Sun, Dec 29, 2019 at 12:13 PM

Subject: ASVG MOU for African Ancestry.docx

To: <asvgnorthamerica@gmail.com>

MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING

BETWEEN

THE AFRICAN SPORTS VENTURES GROUP (ASVG)

AND

AFRICAN ANCESTRY (AA)

WHEREAS, ASVG recognizes that the Global Sports market is a multi-billion-dollar highly lucrative industry witnessing continuous growth, expansion and benefits to many communities, generating US$700 billion in revenues annually;

WHEREAS, ASVG, headquartered in Accra, Ghana is a Limited Liability Sports Solutions, Services and Business Corporation with the vision to provide gifted athletes in Africa with the opportunity to thrive and reach their full potential while also developing the platforms and full services to provide for careers in the sports industry;

WHEREAS, ASVG reached a milestone agreement with the Federation of Africa University Sports (FASU) to institute a continental Student-Athlete Sports Scholarship program for Universities in Africa on November 22nd 2019, will now establish the first ever African Collegiate Sports League for all sports disciplines mirroring the NCAA in the USA;

WHEREAS, African Ancestry (AA) has helped more than 500,000 people of African descent recover their history, reconnect with their ancestors, and create a lasting legacy for future generations;

WHEREAS, AA has played a significant role in the “Year of Return” which the Ghana Tourism Authority reports has already witnessed 750,000 foreign visitors in 2019, a number that is expected to top 1M before the year ends with up to 1.9 billion dollars also expected to be accrued in revenue as a result of the Year of Return activities;

WHEREAS, AA has launched its Family Reunions initiative that will bring many members of the African Diaspora to several countries on the motherland; 

WHEREAS, ASVG sees an opportunity to include professional athletes in AA Family Reunions while giving them a secure opportunity to develop the sports industry in Africa;

WHEREAS, the relationship between the two organizations will be of mutual benefit in engaging increased benevolence, trade, investment and most importantly, reconnection with Africa;

NOW, THEREFORE, WE, the undersigned affix our signatures in agreement to work jointly in support of each other and the people of Africa and African descent this       day of 2019, in Accra, Ghana. Specifically, we will join our effort in taking the following steps:

1. ASVG will direct professional athletes to take the AA matriclan and patriclan DNA tests;

2. ASVG will connect the professional athletes with one of the 32 Universities in the African Collegiate Sports League closest to his ancestral homeland through ASVG’s Sports Scholarship Fund;

3. ASVG works with AA to bring the professional athlete to his or her sponsored University through AA’s Family Reunion initiative

4. ASVG promotes AA as an official sponsor of the African Collegiate Sports League; AA promotes ASVG Sports Scholarship Fund and refers professional athletes who take the AA test to ASVG.

5. ASVG and AA work to match each of the 32 Universities with at least one professional athlete from America.

6. All “Official” project materials to be jointly approved by ASVG and AA and shall contain respective logos and signage.

JANUARY 10, 2020 -

Guinea Bissau Prepares To Launch its "Decade of Return" Initiative: Report of the President of the Balanta B'urassa History & Genealogy Society in America Mission To Guinea Bissau

“MINISTER OF SPORT

In the morning, I went to the Palacio do Governo in my capacity as the African Sports Ventures Group (ASVG) North America Regional Director to meet with  the Guinea Bissau Minister of Sport Mr. Dionisio Pereira to discuss ASVG’s program to bring African American professional athletes to their ancestral homelands during the “Decade of Return”. The Minister agreed to write a letter of special invitation to a legendary multiple Olympic champion who happens to have Balanta ancestry to join our group during our Africa Day 2020 Tour to Senegal and Guinea Bissau. Once I receive the invitation letter, deliver it to the athlete, and confirm acceptance, I will announce who it is. I can’t wait.”

JANUARY 20, 2020 -

On 20 Jan 2020, at 18:18, Siphiwe Baleka <fitnesstrucking@gmail.com> wrote:

Greetings Doreen,

I just returned from Guinea Bissau. It was an amazing trip and you can read all about it here.

After talking to GB's Minister of Sport, Dionisio Pereira, he agreed that it would be a great thing if Guinea Bissau gave me citizenship (because of my Balanta ancestry) and I competed in this summer's Olympics for Guinea Bissau. I am writing to you to find out if there's anything preventing me from doing this according to IOC rules. Can you investigate this for me please? I believe I would be the first African American to compete for an African nation at the Olympics.

Thanks and I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Siphiwe Baleka

CURRENT STATUS OF GUINEA BISSAU: A REVIEW OF RELEVANT STATISTICS

Compiled by Siphiwe Baleka, Founder,

Balanta B’urassa History & Genealogy Society in America

Guinea-Bissau is one of the least developed countries in the world, ranking 178th out of 189 countries on the Human Development Index in 2019.

In 2021, the country was labeled the 27th most fragile nation in the world, according to the 2021 Fragile State Index (The Fund for Peace 2021).

Guinea Bissau is the 4th poorest country in the world with a 69.3% poverty rate, the highest extreme poverty rate of all countries in Western Africa.

The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in an additional economic decline of 1.4 percent in 2020, further stunting economic and human development.

GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT (GDP)

In 2019, GDP per capita purchasing power parity was 1,650 USD, ranked 174th out of 186 countries. Between 2000 and 2019 the country’s real GDP growth averaged 3.4 percent, below sub-Saharan African and West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) countries, which recorded growth averages of 4.5 and 4.4 percent in the same period (World Bank Group 2020b). 

Population is projected to rise from 1.9 million people in 2019 to 3.1 million by 2040.

Extreme poverty will rise to 1.8 million people in 2040.

An average economic growth of 9.2 percent (+6 percent above the historical average) or higher is required to stabilize absolute poverty in 2040 at the 2019 level. 

EMPLOYMENT

A recent UN country analysis suggests that over 75 percent of employment in Guinea-Bissau is in the informal sector, and IMF estimates that 40 percent of the economy is informal (UN Guinea-Bissau 2020; Medina, Jonelis, and Cangul 2017). 

Data from a Harmonized Living Conditions Survey in 2018 report that 52 percent of those working in the informal sector in Guinea-Bissau are considered poor, in contrast to only 25 percent in the formal sector (Ndoye 2020). The informal economy often generates little to no government revenues.

Agriculture comprises 69 percent of GDP, with over 90 percent derived from cashew nut exports that provide direct or indirect income to 85 percent of the population (Guinea-Bissau 2025: Strategic and Operational Plan for 2015–2020, Terra Ranka)

HEALTH

According to the Global Health Security Index 2019, Guinea-Bissau has the second most fragile health system in the world (Cameron, Nuzzo, and Bell 2019).

Despite its reliance on agriculture, the population suffers from high malnutrition and food insecurity rates, with 18.9 percent experiencing undernourishment (Baquedano et al. 2021).

Stunting in children under five was at 26.8 percent in 2019, and acute malnutrition (wasting) was 7.3 percent (United Nations Children’s Fund 2021; UNICEF, WHO, and World Bank Group 2020).

Infant mortality rates in 2017 were at 49 per 1,000 live births, the highest amongst all SIDS countries albeit ranked only the 10th highest in Western Africa. Malaria, tuberculosis, and diarrheal diseases are the leading causes of death among children (United Nations Children’s Fund 2021).

 Guinea-Bissau’s maternal mortality rates are also among the world’s highest (900 deaths per 100 thousand live births). Despite the scale of the problem, the government allocated less than 1 percent of its health budget to women’s and children’s health in 2013 (United Nations Integrated Peace Building Office in Guinea-Bissau and Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights 2017). 

The Global Health Security (GHS) Index is the first comprehensive assessment and benchmarking of health security and related capabilities across the 195 countries that make up the States Parties to the International Health Regulations (IHR). According to the Global Health Security Index, Guinea Bissau ranks just 186th out of 195 countries.

INCOME INEQUALITY

Guinea-Bissau has one of the most unequal distributions of income, with a Gini coefcient of 0.51 in 2022 (ranked 1st among countries in Western Africa and 6th highest among small island developing states). 

Many households in Guinea-Bissau generally do not have a bank account or utilize bank services, with access to a bank account in 2013 below 1 percent of the population. 

In 2019, 27.9 percent of the population had access to electricity countrywide compared to only 10.2 percent in the rural areas of the country (50.2 percent in urban settings). These figures are far below the 2010 to 2018 average for WAEMU countries, which recorded 17 to 80 percent of access in urban settings and 20 percent in rural areas (World Bank Group 2020b). The availability and cost of electricity is concerning, with the average cost of electricity in Guinea-Bissau (USD 0.42/kWh) amongst the highest in sub-Saharan Africa (World Bank Group 2020a, World Bank Group 2020b).

Additionally, poor access to internet (only 10 percent of the population had access to internet in 2018) further diminishes the ability of businesses and individuals to benefit from the digital transformation (UN Guinea-Bissau 2020).

In 2020, only 24 percent of the nation had access to the highest standard of safely managed drinking water sources and 12 percent of households had access to safely managed sanitation (World Health Organization and United Nations Children’s Fund 2020). 

The WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme for Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (JMP) data for the Total Population of Guinea Bissau.

The WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme for Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (JMP) data for the Urban Population of Guinea Bissau.

The WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme for Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (JMP) data for the Rural Population of Guinea Bissau.

EDUCATION

One-third of children between 6 and 11 years old have never attended school (Só et al. 2018; World Bank Group 2020b).

Much of the education workforce lacks the necessary knowledge and proper understanding of the materials covered by the national curriculum, while many schools lack adequate learning materials for students. In addition, teacher strikes are persistent in the country, negatively impacting students through constant school closures (World Bank Group 2020b).

GOVERNANCE

Out of the six main indicators used to assess the quality of governance by the World Bank in its Worldwide Governance Indicators analysis (where 0 percent corresponds to the lowest ranking, least effective, and 100 percent to the highest ranking, most effective) Guinea-Bissau consistently scores around the lowest of all countries. In 2019, Guinea-Bissau scored 6.2 percent for the Government E!ectiveness indicator, and 5.2 percent for Control of Corruption. For Rule of Law and Political Stability, it scored 7.6 and 24 percent (World Bank Group 2019).

According to the  Bertelsmann Stiftung’s Transformation Index (BTI) 2020 Country Report on Guinea Bissau:

“Public officeholders who benefit illegally from their positions are rarely held accountable by legal prosecution when they break the law and engage in corrupt practices. This concerns all the top government officials, including the president. Public contempt depends on relatedness and the reputation of the officeholder. As a rule, corrupt officials are widely perceived as getting away with their crimes without consequences. Usually, officeholders who break the law are dismissed, rather than prosecuted. Members of the government accused of corruption often return to official positions after an interim. Conflicts of interest and ethical misconduct are often not addressed.”

According to the United Nations Periodic Review in 2019, instability is reflected in the 2018 Ibrahim Index of African Governance, in which Guinea-Bissau ranks forty-second out of 54 African countries. It has fostered neither economic growth nor coherent social policies and has resulted in Guinea-Bissau being dependent on the international community for assistance in the economic, health and education sectors.

 DEMOCRAT NEWSPAPER  04/19/2023 - “The National Cell for the Processing of Financial Information (CENTIF-GB) revealed on Tuesday, April 18, 2023, that risk assessment data on the processes that were reviewed, both at the Public Ministry and at the Judiciary Police, indicate that Guinea-Bissau Bissau is losing a lot and that 85 billion and 853 million of State assets could be in the hands of others.

The revelations were made by the president of CENTIF, Justino Sá, at the opening of the three days of training (18, 19 and 20) on matters of financial investigation, accusations and convictions for crimes of money laundering and financing of terrorism, held at the National School of Administration (ENA), aimed at actors in the criminal chain.

Justino Sá explained that the seminar was held as part of the implementation of the recommendations of the mutual risk assessment report that Guinea-Bissau was subject to in 2020 and 2021, arguing that the CENTIF should equip the law enforcement staff with tools that allow them to fulfill and fully perform its functions.

Justino Sá asked the Attorney General of the Republic to transform the office for the fight against corruption and economic rights and adopt the principle of mobility of magistrates, being a very sensitive office, having defended the specialization of magistrates so that Guinea-Bissau be more sensitive to the phenomenon of the fight against corruption.

According to Justino Sá, the amounts referred to are those found in the processes that were investigated from 2013 to 2018, revealing that the country could have lost 100 billion CFA francs.

Faced with this situation, Justino warned magistrates that they have a very important role to play in the fight against money laundering and terrorist financing.

He said that this situation should not only be a concern for the CENTIF, but also a national concern, especially for judges who have the mission to work for the credibility of justice.

The president of the CENTIF stressed that one of the shortcomings that the cell pointed out in the mutual evaluation was effectiveness, because “there was no conviction for the crime of money laundering and financing of terrorism in Guinea-Bissau, as well as the confiscation of assets of any corrupt people or traffickers.

In turn, the Attorney General of the Republic, Edmundo Mendes, said he hoped that the seminar would provide participants with the necessary tools to detect, investigate, prosecute and effectively condemn the actors of organized crime.”

By: Carolina Djemé

PUBLIC INVESTMENT

Public investment is almost entirely financed by external aid, with major donors including the UN System, the West African Development Bank, the World Bank, and the African Development Bank (World Bank Group 2016). More than 90 percent of the government’s health budget comes from international partners.

A continuation of historical trends will increase the human suffering and development burden in Guinea-Bissau.

THE IMPENDING FOOD SECURITY CRISIS COMING TO GUINE BISSAU

Globally around 24 billion tons of fertile soil and 27,000 bio-species are lost each year. Scientists are saying that by 2045, the planet will have 40% less food for 9.2 billion people and that there are only 40 to 60 harvests left before a critical global food shortage. According to the report Hunger in Guinea-Bissau: Causes and Prevention

“Food insecurity is the largest current concern for the Guinea-Bissau government. . . . Overall, 11% of Guinea-Bissau households are food insecure, though this figure spikes to as high as 51% in some areas. Food insecurity is the main cause of undernutrition, in addition to inadequate health services, poor water and sanitation, inadequate infant feeding practices and high illiteracy rates among women.

Most of the families in Guinea-Bissau that are involved in cereal farming, produce cereal for their own consumption. However, this is sometimes not enough to feed an entire family. Only 8% of families have enough cereal to cover their needs for one month and a half, with 48% having cereal stocks to cover just one month of food consumption. If the cereal that these families produce is ruined, more than half would not have anything to eat and would suffer from extreme food insecurity.

According to the Food and Nutrition Security Monitoring System, 28% of the population of Guinea-Bissau does not consume as many vitamins and nutrients as they need. Additionally, in 2019, Guinea-Bissau ranked 99th out of 117 in a study about countries with increased rates of food insecurity. This rank means that Guinea-Bissau has a severe problem with both hunger and malnutrition.”

PREVALENCE OF FOOD INSECURITY BY SECTOR IN GUINEA BISSAU

The Proteus Global Food Security Index ranks Guinea Bissau 148th out of 160 countries. Even though most families are involved in growing rice for their own consumption, only 48% have enough cereal stocks to cover just one month of food consumption, resulting in a dependence on imported food, including rice. In 2020, Guinea-Bissau imported $52.2M in rice, becoming the 86th largest importer of rice in the world. At the same year, rice was the 1st most imported product in Guinea Bissau. Guinea Bissau imports rice primarily from: Pakistan ($24.9M), China ($17.2M), India ($4.26M), Senegal ($3.77M), and United States ($726k).

https://wits.worldbank.org/CountrySnapshot/en/GNB/textview

WHAT THIS MEANS

During the COVID pandemic, Bissau-Guinean economist Aliu Soares Cassama stated, “Our economy has had a deficit in the trade balance for a long time. In other words, we import more and export less. We know that economic agents do not have purchasing power due to the total paralysis of the State, and this situation will further complicate the economic weakness that the country is experiencing.” Because of the global soil extinction crisis and the impending global food shortages, Guinea Bissau, for all the reasons indicated above, will be one of the most vulnerable countries on the planet for starvation if nothing is done now to increase the organic content of its soil and diversify agricultural production to domestic food consumption.

WHAT CAN BE DONE? #SAVESOIL

For any soil to be agriculturally potent, it must have a minimum organic content of 3 to 6%. The average soil organic content of the United States is 1.4%, for Europe 1.2%, for India 0.6% and for Africa 0.3%. No data on the organic content of Guinea Bissau’s soil has been recorded.

Due to the severity of soil extinction and the food crisis which will be devastating to the entire world, a global #savesoil campaign was launched. Save Soil is a global movement bringing together people and leaders to restore Soil Health by instituting national policies worldwide toward increasing the organic content in cultivable Soil. On March 21, Indian mystic Sadhguru embarked from London to India on a 100 day campaign, traveling more than 30,000 km to 26 countries by motorcycle in order to spread awareness and to mobilise 3 billion people to use their voice and give democratically elected leaders and governments a mandate to institute national policies toward increasing the organic content in cultivable soil. After just 28 days, 72 nations have signed policy agreements. Sadhguru was also the keynote speaker at the 15th session of Conference of Parties (COP), that convened in the Ivory Coast from May 9-20. It was organised by the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification. Leaders from 170 countries attended, including a high-level opening segment, a Heads of States Summit, round tables and interactive dialogue sessions among ministers and other high-ranking officials.

Learn More about the Save Soil movement in Guinea Bissau

Siphiwe Baleka is working to spread awareness on the need to create a comprehensive soil testing program in Guinea Bissau. Because of the current status of Guinea Bissau as described above, you can understand why constant fundraising is needed to help solve the problems in Guinea Bissau. We are the only group of Afrodescendants of Guinea Bissau origin that have a presence on the ground here in Guinea Bissau. You can help us help make a difference in Guinea Bissau by contributing to the

Balanta B’urassa History and Genealogy Society’s 2022 Development Campaign

BBHAGSIA Founder Siphiwe Baleka Promoting the Global #savesoil movement in Guinea Bissau

Friday, May 5, 2022 - Bissau, Guinea Bissau

On Thursday, the Founder of the Balanta B’urassa History and Genealogy Society in America, Siphiwe Baleka, met with Lorenço Monteiro Carvalho de Abreu, Director General of Instituto Nacional de Pesquisa Agraria (INPA) and consultant to the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) in Guinea Bissau. Mr. Baleka discussed the #savesoil movement and Guinea Bissau’s participation in it and the upcoming 15th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP), being held in Côte d'Ivoire from 9 to 20 May, organized by the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification. Leaders from 170 countries will attend, including a high-level opening segment, a Summit of Heads of State, roundtables and interactive dialogue sessions between ministers and other high-ranking officials on May 9-10, 2022.

According to Mr. Baleka,

“The #savesoil movement is probably the most important global movement happening at this moment. All over the world, global leaders in all spheres of work as well as tens of millions of people are involved in this 100 day project. Over seventy governments have signed agreements. I was concerned that no one in Guinea Bissau - neither the leaders, the NGOs, the media nor the people on social media we’re talking about it. So I decided to take responsibility and started posting about it on social media to all the Guinea Bissau Facebook groups, writing letters to the media, and now I’m meeting with people involved in agriculture and policy-making. Really, it’s everyone’s responsibility, I just took the lead to set the example.”

On Friday, May 6th, Mr. Baleka met with Mario Alfredo Mendonca, Director of Commerce and Promotion for the Cashew-LIFT Project. On January 29, 2020 the U.S. Ambassador to Senegal and Guinea-Bissau, Tulinabo Salama Mushingi attended the launch of the USDA’s Food for Progress regional cashew value chain project, also called the Linking Infrastructure, Finance, and Farms to Cashews (LIFFT-Cashew). The program implementing a $38 million, six-year project in The Gambia, Senegal, and Guinea-Bissau will enhance the regional cashew value chain to improve the trade of processed cashews in local and international markets. “Sixty-three percent of the funds for Guinea Bissau are earmarked for road construction,” Mr. Mendonca emphasized.

Besides learning some of the details of how the Cashew- Lift project works, Mr. Baleka also discussed the potential of certifying the soil content in f the land farmed by the cooperatives and becoming early adopters of a marketing program that would include “organic soil content” on product landing.

“With such labelling, and provided that the organic soil content reaches a minimum 3%, Guinea Bissau farmers could enjoy premium pricing from an increasingly ‘soil conscious’ international market,” said Baleka.

”To do this, it will be necessary to develop a comprehensive soil testing program specifically designed to help Guinea Bissau reach the 3% minimum that is being accepted as the critical standard globally”.

https://projectblue.blob.core.windows.net/media/Default/Imported%20Publication%20Docs/Soil%20Organic%20Matter.pdf

Save Soil is a global movement bringing together people and leaders to restore Soil Health by instituting national policies worldwide toward increasing the organic content in cultivable Soil.

Why 3.5 billion people? 

In democracies, governments craft policies based on what the majority of people want. 3.5 billion people is 60% of the world’s voting population. 

For any soil to be agriculturally potent, it must have a minimum organic content of 3 to 6%

How much damage has already happened to soil? 

● 62% of India’s soil has an organic content of less than 0.5%. 

● The US has lost 50% of its topsoil. 

● In Europe, 75% of the soil has an organic content of less than 2% 

● Two thirds of Africa is well on track to losing its arable lands by 2030 

● Worldwide: 52% of agricultural soils are already degraded - ELD initiative, 2015 

● By 2050, 90% of Earth's soil could be degraded - UNCCD, 2020 

Soil organic content:

United States 1.4%

Europe 1.2%

Indian 0.6%

Africa 0.3%

Guinea Bissau -?????

When we grow one ton of crop, it means that we have removed one ton of topsoil. What are the means to put it back? We were putting it back naturally when there were animals and trees on the farm because green litter from the trees and animal waste are the only ways to put back organic content into soil.

87% of the planet's life, including you, me, and a multitude of microbes, worms, birds, animals, and trees are living on approximately 39 inches of topsoil. That is the average topsoil that you have on the planet. But the level of degradation that has happened in the last 70 years is scary. The amount of biomass in the soil has come down by around 80% in the last 50 years.

What is keeping you alive is microbial life on all levels.

The human body contains trillions of microorganisms — outnumbering human cells by 10 to 1. Because of their small size, however, microorganisms make up only about 1 to 3 percent of the body's mass (in a 200-pound adult, that's 2 to 6 pounds of bacteria), but play a vital role in human health.

HMP researchers also reported that this plethora of microbes contribute more genes responsible for human survival than humans contribute. Where the human genome carries some 22,000 protein-coding genes, researchers estimate that the human microbiome contributes some 8 million unique protein-coding genes or 360 times more bacterial genes than human genes.

This bacterial genomic contribution is critical for human survival. Genes carried by bacteria in the gastro-intestinal tract, for example, allow humans to digest foods and absorb nutrients that otherwise would be unavailable.

Humans don't have all the enzymes we need to digest our own diet,” said Lita Proctor, Ph.D., NHGRI's HMP program manager. “Microbes in the gut break down many of the proteins, lipids and carbohydrates in our diet into nutrients that we can then absorb. Moreover, the microbes produce beneficial compounds, like vitamins and anti-inflammatories that our genome cannot produce.” Anti-inflammatories are compounds that regulate some of the immune system's response to disease, such as swelling.

Globally around 24 billion tons of fertile soil and 27,000 bio-species are lost each year

There are no trees. There is not enough organic activity in the soil to absorb the water. If the water had percolated down, the wells, ponds, and rivers would have water. Since rainwater is not retained, a drought is bound to happen after some time.

If it is in the right condition, soil can hold 800% more water than all the rivers put together. But as the organic value in the soil goes down, its ability to hold water also goes down.

India has about 160 million hectares of arable land, but nearly forty percent of this soil is labeled as distressed soil. That means in another twenty-five to thirty years’ time, we may not be able to grow the food that we need in this nation. When there is no water and food, the level of civil strife that will happen will demolish the nation in many different ways. People from those rural areas where water completely runs out are going to migrate in large numbers into urban centers. This is not far away. With no infrastructure, they will sit on the streets, but for how long? When there is no food and water, they will break into homes. I am not some kind of a doomsayer, but in the next eight to ten years, you will see these situations unless we do something drastic right now.

AN OPEN LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT, PRIME MINISTER, MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND THE PEOPLE OF THE REPUBLIC OF GUINEA BISSAU 

Globally around 24 billion tons of fertile soil and 27,000 bio-species are lost each year. 

Scientists are saying that by 2045, the planet will have 40% less food for 9.2 billion people and that there are only 40 to 60 harvests left before a critical global food shortage.

For any soil to be agriculturally potent, it must have a minimum organic content of 3 to 6%. The average soil organic content of the United States is 1.4%, for Europe 1.2%, for India 0.6% and for Africa 0.3%. I am unable to find any data on the organic content of Guinea Bissau’s soil.

Due to the severity of soil extinction and the food crisis which will be devastating to the entire world, a global #savesoil campaign was launched. On March 21, Indian mystic Sadhguru embarked from London to India on a 100 day campaign, traveling more than 30,000 km to 26 countries by motorcycle in order  to spread awareness and to mobilise 3 billion people to use their voice and give democratically elected leaders and governments a mandate to institute national policies toward increasing the organic content in cultivable soil. After just 28 days, 72 nations have signed policy agreements. 

I am now using my voice as a citizen of Guinea Bissau to make sure that Guinea Bissau participates in the global #savesoil campaign since the people of Guinea Bissau are among those who will suffer the most if nothing is done and will benefit the most if the correct actions and policies are taken now. 

Towards this end, the 15th session of Conference of Parties (COP), is convening in the Ivory Coast from May 9-20, organised by the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification. Leaders from 170 countries will be attending, including a high-level opening segment, a Heads of States Summit, round tables and interactive dialogue sessions among ministers and other high-ranking officials on 9 and 10 May 2022.​

I am now asking the responsible leaders of Guinea Bissau to do the following:

1. Identify the delegation that will be representing Guinea Bissau at the 15th COP in the Ivory Coast;

2. Inform the population of the status of Guinea Bissau’s soil and especially its current organic content;

3. Explain how people can get their soil tested for organic content.

4. Make widely available the plan to increase the organic content of the soil to a minimum of 3%;

5. Provide the current expenditure on soil conservation as well as the cost needed to achieve the minimum 3%;

6. Create a Guinea Bissau Soil Content Task Force.

Respectfully, Siphiwe Baleka,

PLEASE SUPPORT MY WORK HERE IN GUINEA BISSAU

#savesoilguineabissau

#protegiterraguineabissau

#savesoil

#protegiterra

@sadhguru

@consciousplanetmovement

BBHAGSIA President Siphiwe Baleka Joins Launch of the Impact Hub Candidate Bissau

Anicet Ateba of Semente Verde and Impact Hub Bissau with Siphiwe Baleka, entrepreneur and Founder, BBHAGSIA

Bissau, Guinea Bissau, April 20 - The Impact Hub Candidate Bissau in partnership and funded by the Mava Foundation and PNUD Guiné-Bissau invited the entire entrepreneurial ecosystem to attend its launch at the National School of Management (ENA). In attendance was Siphiwe Baleka, a successful entrepreneur and founder of the Balanta B’urassa History and Genealogy Society in America.

Siphiwe Baleka is known as “The Fitness Guru to the Trucking Industry” and has appeared in Men’s Health magazine, Sports Illustrated, the Huffington Post, Good Morning America, CBS Evening News, NPR, CNN, NBC Access Daily and BBC. He served as the North American Regional  Director of the African Sports Ventures Group as well as the Senior Heritage Ambassador of the United House of Ancestry, In 2020 he launched the Decade of Return Initiative of the Government of Guinea Bissau. Many of his interviews, including the Business Leadership Series: Be an Intentional Leader podcast and The Unstoppable Entrepreneur podcast are available here. Recently, Siphiwe has gained international attention for attempting to represent Guinea Bissau in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and become the oldest swimmer in Olympic History.

”I came to Guinea Bissau to help my ancestral homeland,” said Siphiwe Baleka. “The best way to do that is to invest time and energy into the young people. I am doing that through sports as the Interim President of the Guinea Bissau Swimming Federation and through the Supporting Girls Sports in Guinea Bissau campaign. Now I look forward to helping this generation’s young entrepreneurs throught the Impact Hub.”

“As a young man, I had many great coaches and mentors, both in sports and a few in business. Guidance from those who have already achieved success is invaluable. It takes a special kind of spirit and mindset to be an entrepreneur, to be a champion, and I will do my part to nurture that,” added Baleka.

Team SDGB Celebrates Birthday of Guinea Bissau Swimming Federation Interim President Siphiwe Baleka

April 2, 2022 Hala Hotel &Aqua Park, Bissau, Guinea Bissau

The Sociedade Desportiva da Guiné-Bissau (S.D.G.B) girls’ futbol team made a surprise visit to the Hala Hotel & Aqua Park where the Interim President of the Federação de Natação da Guiné-Bissau (Guinea Bissau Swimming Feseration), Siphiwe Baleka is training to compete in the African Swimming Federation Zone 2 Championships in Dakar, Senegal May 27-29.

Mr. Baleka visited the girls futbol team on January 16 to give them a motivational speech to start the new season. Last year, their first as a team, they lost the championship game in what was generally perceived to be unfair circumstances. Since Mr. Baleka’s motivational speech, he has served as the team’s patron and they have been on a winning streak. The team wanted to return the support and came to celebrate Mr. Baleka’s upcoming 51st birthday (April 14) and encourage his training.

The S.D.G.B girls team has now qualified for the next round of the championships and are waiting the results of this weekend’s games to see who they will play.

“We will most likely play in Bafata,” said Sana Nharo, the team’s coach. “We will need transportation and overnight accommodations. Without sponsorship like the big teams who are sponsored by Benéfica and others, this becomes difficult for us.”

Coach Sana explained that before receiving support from Mr. Baleka, the girls felt dehumanised. They had to show up to the games without proper uniforms and equipment. Sometimes they couldn’t pay for the transportation all the way to the playing field and they would have to walk. When the team can’t afford accommodations, they have to resort to tents. Because of the fundraising this year and the support of a lot of people in the United States, the girls have new uniforms, including socks and their morale is much better.

“They deserve to win the championship,” according to Coach Sana. “They just need the support that ‘big’ teams get.”

Siphiwe Baleka talks to Team S.D.G.B

Mr. Baleka wants to raise another $300 so that the girls can travel to the next game in a proper bus and get a good night’s sleep at a proper hotel. If you can, please donate to the GoFundMe campaign to support these girls in Guinea Bissãu.

Decade of Return to Guinea Bissau November 22-29, 2022

PRICE :

Single $2,500 +1 in double: $750

$500 non-refundable down-payment to reserve your spot due May 1, 2022 - only 15 spots!!!!

Payment 1: $1,000 due August 1, 2022

Payment 2: $1,000 due October 1, 2022

+1 Double: $750 due October 15

Make full payment: $2,500

FLIGHTS

YOU MUST CONNECT WITH THESE TAP AIR PORTUGAL FLIGHTS

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER YOUR INTEREST IN THE NOVEMBER DECADE OF RETURN TOUR

On February 23, 2021, The Secretary of Tourism of Guinea Bissau recognized the Balanta B’urassa History and Genealogy Society in America’s Decade of Return Initiative.

Decade of Return Group 2, June 2021

This picture and the three pictures below taken by Ken Hawkins during the Decade of Return Group 1 in May 2021.

Decade of Return Group 2, June 2021 in front of the Door of No Return in Cacheu

The above six pictures take by Ken Hawkins during the Decade of Return Group 1, May 2021

Decade of Return Group 2 in Bijagos Islands, June 2021

Balanta History & Genealogy Society in America Launches T-Shirt Collection Featuring The Teachings of Amilcar Cabral

Amilcar Cabral is one of the world’s greatest leaders. He organized and led a successful revolutionary armed struggle against Portuguese colonizers, ending a 521-year war and resulting in the Independence of the Republic of Guinea Bissau.

In 2020, BBC World Histories Magazine asked historians to nominate the ‘greatest leader’ –someone who exercised power and had a positive impact on humanity – and to explore their achievements and legacy. More than 5,000 readers voted, and in second place, with 25 per cent of the vote is Amilcar Cabral, who as head of the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC), led his country to independence.

Results of the the BBC World Histories Magazine greatest leaders poll:

1. Maharaja Ranjit Singh, ruler of the Sikh empire 1801–39

2. Amílcar Cabral, 20th-century African independence fighter

3. Winston Churchill, British prime minister 1940–45 and 1951–55

4. Abraham Lincoln, US president 1861–65

5. Elizabeth I, Queen of England 1558–1603

“Amilcar Cabral is largely unkown to African Descendants in the United States,” said Siphiwe Baleka, President of the Balanta B’urassa History & Genealogy Society in America (BBHAGSIA). “This is unfortunate because it is to Amilcar Cabral that we can look to for a revolutionary ideology that has proven to be succesful and leads to self-determination and independence.”

What made Cabral great?

Cabral focused on Ideology and Revolutionary Consciousness

…The ideological deficiency, not to say the total lack of ideology, within the national liberation movements–which is basically due to ignorance of the historical reality which these movements claim to transform–constitutes one of the greatest weaknesses of our struggle against imperialism, if not the greatest weakness of all. We believe, however, that a sufficient number of different experiences have already been accumulated to enable us to define a general line of thought and action with the aim of eliminating this deficiency…

Amilcar Cabral, The Weapon of Theory

According to Baleka, “While Amilcar Cabral is known to the people of Guinea Bissau, they haven’t really internalized his teachings and implemented them, at least among the ruling class in Guinea Bissau which has failed to commit the class suicide that Cabral said was necessary to complete and not betray the revolution. “

To help people on both sides of the Atlantic to gain a deeper understanding of Amilcar Cabral’s teachings, BBHAGSIA launched its Amilcar Cabral t-shirt collection containing seldom quoted exceprts in English and Kriol from the book, Unity and Struggle: Speeches and Writings of Amilcar Cabral.

The first three t-shirts (which have an option to include the Guinea Bissau flag on both sleeves) quote the following from Amilcar Cabral on the reverse side:

“THE STRUGGLE SHOWS WHO IS TO BE VALUED AND WHO IS WORTHLESS.”

Kriol: Luta tá mostra kilis k bali ku kilis k ka bali.

“Leadership must go to those who have the clearest concept of our reality.”

Kriol: Liderança tem k bai pá kilis k tene vizon mas claro di nô realidadi

“THE WORST AND THE WORTHLESS MUST BE LEFT BEHIND.”

O pior e o kabalidu tem k dixado trás.

The quotes were taken from this excerpt:

“THE STRUGGLE UNITES, BUT IT ALSO SORTS OUT PERSONS, the struggle shows who is to be valued and who is worthless. Every comrade must be vigilant about himself, for the struggle is a SELECTIVE PROCESS; the struggle shows us to everyone, and show who we are. . . . .We are making an effort for the unworthy to improve, but we know who is worthy and who is not worthy; we even know who may tell a lie. . . . There are others of whom some are afraid, because they know that their only merit is the power they wield. . . . Whether we like it or not, the struggle operates a selection. Little by little, some pass through the sieve, others remain. . . . Only those will go forward who really want to struggle, those who in fact understand that the struggle constantly makes more demands and gives more responsibilities and who are therefore ready to give everything and demand nothing, except respect, dignity, and the opportunity to serve our people correctly. . . But for a struggle really to go forward, it must be organized and it can only really be organized by a vanguard leadership. . . . Leadership must go to the most aware men and women, whatever their origin, and wherever they come from: that is, to those who have the clearest concept of our reality and of the reality that our Party wants to create. We are not going to look to see where they come from, who they are and who their parents are. We are looking only at the following: do they know who we are, do they know what our land is, do they know what our Party wants to do in our land? Do they really want to do this, under the banner of our Party? So they should come to the fore and lead. Whoever is most aware of this should lead. We might be deceived today, or deceived tomorrow, but the proof of the pudding is in the eating, it is practical experience which shows who is worthy and who is not. . . . Our struggle demands enlightened leadership and we have said that the best sons and daughters of our land must lead. . . .So far as we are able to think of our common problem, the problems of our people, of our own folk, putting in their right place our personal problems, and, if necessary, sacrificing our personal interests, we can achieve miracles. . . . It is not enough to say ‘I am African’ for us to say that person is our ally: these are mere phrases. We must ask him frankly: ‘Do you in fact want the independence of your people? Do you want to work for them? Do you really want our independence? Are you really opposed to Portuguese (American) colonialism? Do you help us? If the answers are yes, then you are our ally. . . . We can only genuinely achieve what we want in our land if we form a group of men and women who are strong, able not to cheat their comrades and not to lie, able to look their comrades straight in the eye . . . . If someone is unworthy, we must show him that he is unworthy. There is no friendship, there is no consideration for him. He must be cast aside. The time has come for us to be friends with those who are worthy, but those who are unworthy, but those who are worthless, cannot be our comrades, our friends. Anyone who betrays the Party, who tries to divide us, who makes plans to sabotage the Party, who serves the enemy, who consorts with the enemies of our Party can no longer sit with us, cannot eat with us from the same bowl, cannot drink from the same glass or mug, cannot sleep in the same bed. Either we are able to distinguish the worthy from the unworthy or it is not woth our while going on with our struggle as we are doing, because sooner or later we shall drown in a sea of great confusion of our own making. . . . In the framework of revolutionary democracy, as I have already said, we must bring to the fore the best sons and daughters of our land. The worst and the worthless must be left behind. . . . .”

ORDER YOUR T-SHIRTS

RIGHT TO RETURN ALLIANCE SKILLS SURVEY

The Right To Return Alliance (RTRA), a coalition of African Descendants’ from global communities, CSOs, NGOs and businesses in Africa and the Diaspora, is inviting you to complete this Skills Survey to be databased and used in policy formation and planning during

2022: The Year Of Promoting The African Descendants’ Right To Return'.

HISTORY

The African Union convened the First AU-Western Hemisphere Diaspora Forum in Washington, DC December 17-19, 2002. The Forum which established the Western Hemisphere African Diaspora Network (WHADN) to interface with the African Union Commission. The WHADN put forward proposals for effective collaboration between the African Diaspora and the African Union. It recommended that the AU should

- Include in its agenda the 'crime against humanity' concept and work with Diaspora organizations to suggest a process for reparations.

- Review, educate and sponsor open discussion to get insight into slavery In turn, the African Diaspora should:

- Establish a Western Hemisphere Diaspora Trade and Economic Development Committee to coordinate and facilitate the follow-up process to these recommendations with the AU ..... Ensure establishment of an industry specific Western Hemisphere Diaspora data base endorsed by the appropriate Diaspora representatives."

In May, 2003, the Executive Council of the African Union met at the Third Extraordinary Session in Sun City, South Africa and issued the "Decision on the Development of the Diaspora Initiative in the African Union" This decision stated in point 4 that it

"Supports the initiative of the Commission to convene a technical workshop.... for the establishment of a Diaspora database to promote and facilitate networking and collaboration between experts in their respective countries of origin and those in the Diaspora."

The African Union Technical Workshop On the Relationship With the Diaspora General Report (Port of Spain, Trinidad, June 2-5 2004) stated:

"55. For the Diaspora to meaningfully contribute to the attainment of the goals of human development in Africa the following policy recommendations were suggested:

a) Resources/Skills Bank:

56. The Resources Bank should serve as the integrating platform upon which all other aspects of the Diaspora development and mobilization of its resources, both organic and virtual knowledge, could be shared and expanded.”

FIRST 50-METER OLYMPIC SWIM TRAINING FACILITY BUILT IN GUINEA BISSAU

Unche, Guinea Bissau - Federação de Natação da Guiné-Bissau Interim President Siphiwe Baleka constructed a 50 meter long course for swim training in the middle of a tributary of the Rio Unche. Olympic swimming pools are 50 meters long and there are none in the country of 2 million people. So Baleka decided to use what was available to complete a makeshift pool with lane ropes.

Baleka conceived of the idea during his first visit to Unche, the village of his great, great, great, great, great grandfather who was captured as a boy and enslaved in Charleston, SC.

“I was told in Cacheu that Balantas are the best swimmers, that they could turn into crocodiles,” said Baleka. “So I always imagined my 5g grandfather was a great swimmer as a young boy. Today I know it is true because all the boys in Unche are good swimmers with a lot of natural ability. Now they just need to be coached.”

Coaching the boys and girls of Unche, the village of his 5G grandfaather, is exactly what Baleka intends to do. Baleka’s short term plan is to fix the lane ropes (which happen to be the red, gold, and green colors of the Guine Bissau flag) with some sort of flotation device. According to Baleka,“We will try plastic bottles and styrofoam first.”

HELP SIPHIWE BALEKA WITH THIS INCREDIBLE MISSION

DONATE TODAY!

New Uniforms for Girls Team Provided by Interim President of the Guinea Bissau Swimming Federation Siphiwe Baleka

January 27, 2022 - Enterremento, Bissau, Guinea Bissau

The Sociedade Desportiva da Guiné-Bissau (S.D.G.B) received the Interim President of the Federação de Natação da Guiné-Bissau, Siphiwe Baleka to display their new uniforms. Mr. Baleka visited the girls futbol team on January 16 to give them a motivational speech. The team then went on to win their latest match 4 - 1.

“Maybe what I said helped them,” ’joked Mr. Baleka.

During his previous visit, Mr. Baleka learned that the team was not receiving much support from its federation. He then donated the money to purchase the new uniforms.

“I really want to help these girls. They lost the championship last year and I know they can win it this year,” Mr. Baleka said with confidence. “I will do what I can to help them do their best.”

Mr. Baleka told the girls that their life in Guinea Bissau presented them with both advantages and disadvantages. 

“In America, life is much easier. The girls are not as tough as you are,” he told them. “You are strong and very good athletes because life in Guinea Bissau is much more physical. That is your advantage. Of course access to resources, equipment, and opportunities to travel are your disadvantages,” said Mr. Baleka.. “Do your best on the field and I will do my best off the field to help find resources for you.”

Coach Sanha Nharo explained that one of the challenges for the team is a cultural challenge. Girls are discouraged from playing sports because going to school and taking care of the home are the priorities. “You have to have a very close relationship with the parents to convince them to let their daughters travel and spend the night somewhere,” Coach Sanha said.

Coach Sanha also explained that the team struggles because of the poor organization of the league. Every year we have to figure out who and where we can play and what color uniforms each team has. According to Coach Sanha, if you travel to play a team and you have the wrong color jersey, you must forfeit the match because you can’t have two teams wearing the same colors. That’s a tall order for teams that don’t have sponsors and multiple uniforms.

There are other challenges, too. The team wants to buy tents because they don’t have the money to pay for hotels when they travel in the country to play teams in other regions.

To help the team this year, Mr. Baleka set up a GoFundMe campaign. All money goes to the team.

SUPPORT GIRLS SPORTS IN GUINEA BISSAU. DONATE NOW!