Trax Africa

Introduction and welcome to TRAX UK

Sue Bleasdale, Chair of the Trustees

I first became involved with Trax Africa sometime in 1996 but had known of their work for a couple of years before that. I had been interested in Africa since I first saw the independence of Ghana on the BBC in 1957 and this interest was further stimulated by my three years at London University where I studied Geography and Anthropology and later African studies at SOAS.

In my work at Middlesex University I have been able to combine my love of Africa with my teaching in Development and Environmental Studies. The period since I joined Trax Africa as a Trustee has been one of great changes, expansion and transformation. We no longer have any expatriate staff based in Africa and now work in a partnership mode with our linked organizations in Ghana and Togo and hopefully soon in Burkina Faso.

I feel lucky to have been involved with Trax Africa during this exciting time and my personal commitment has grown over the years - each field visit seems to bring stronger personal ties to the work Trax Africa does. The work of Trax Africa in Ghana has grown apace and Trax Africa now has a wide and very positive reputation in northern Ghana where it has become a reference point for organizations involved in interventions with farmers. Trax Africa's program has expanded into some new areas of activity - the Resource Centre, then more recently fuel efficient stoves and goat rearing as well as income generating with women's groups. The work in Togo began with a stimulating skill share workshop and now involves three locally based NGOS.

None of this would be possible without the hard work and commitment of some excellent staff, past and present, both in Africa and in the UK.

However funding remains a constant source of uncertainty - I don't think any of the Trustees will forget the sense of despair we felt in January 2001 as we waited and waited for the outcome of the funding application for the next five years. To be within six weeks of closing down is an experience not to be repeated which is why a broader funding base is now our top priority.