C. Bullama, an inhabitant of the village, explains: « Our ancestors already lived on this land. We are dependent on the forest to live and we want to stay here. » In the forest, the inhabitants pick palm nuts, roots and medicinal plants which they sell in neighboring villages. They also grow a few vegetables to feed their families.

Today their presence is threatened. The forest ministry still hasn’t granted them title deeds, as it should have done under provision of the law. For that reason, the inhabitants of Company have no access to government programs that would allow them to have running water, electricity and staple commodities at reduced prices for the poor. There is no school in the village and children have to walk 2.5 miles to the nearest school.

Fedina, through its local association Jana Jagruti Samitee, has been supporting the struggle of the families since the spring of 2009. Every week, an activist comes to meet the villagers: « He helps us get organized. He tells us about existing laws, he explains our rights. » They get mobilized together: « We have already organized a demonstration in front of the offices of the local authorities, to demand our title deeds. The whole village was there and we joined other tribal villages with the same claims. » Indeed, title deeds would be a relief for the families, who are under constant threat of eviction, but they would also represent real leverage to get out of poverty. A long struggle which the inhabitants of Company will not give up: « We are going to fight, we are very patient. We want to give the title deeds as a present to the new generation so our children can legally live on their land. »

For this programme carried out in partnership with Fedina, Frères des Hommes has received financial support from French Development Agency.