When the UNDP team saw Aserua Frukeri approaching us when we arrived at Dongo, Itula sub-county, Obongi district, we immediately thought the woman was a local elected leader, here conducting the formalities of welcoming us as we undertook a monitoring exercise of a critical piece of community infrastructure. Her welcoming smile made us feel at ease amidst local community members and leaders with whom this joint monitoring exercise was being conducted. When she interjected, as the project contractor provided an overview of the status of construction works, we soon realized she was the Vice Chairperson of the community market committee, established by the Itula sub-county government to oversee construction of this modern community central market for the subcounty. We became curious about her concerns, since she represented hundreds of others who would benefit directly from this modern center of local commerce. She definitely had important community perspectives that needed to be listened to and adopted as the project moved toward its completion. 

The construction of a modernized central market in Itula sub-county is one of a variety of interventions seeking to provide a space through which local communities and refugees can advance their local trading options, providing an avenue to advance sustainable income generation and thus secure livelihood opportunities across the sub-county. 

Following a comprehensive tour of the facility we settled underneath the shade of a large tree adjacent to the new market, a tree that had for many years served as the community market prior to this project. While we learnt about the interesting utilitarian value of the tree over the decades, we also heard that it offered little relief against the rain, the scorching sun, strong winds and unsanitary condition of products that were traded mostly while being placed on the ground. 

Conversations were moderated by the Obongi district Deputy Chief Adminsitrative Officer, the sub-county councilors and the district engineer. It was at this point that Ms. Aserua Frukeri was able to share her points in full, emanating from her own regular interactions with the ongoing construction process. We heard important insights about the women’s nursing room, constructed specifically to provide privacy to mothers. Their children needed to accompany them to the market on a daily basis; they needed to be breastfed regularly and also have opportunities throughout the day to sleep without interruption.