How We Decide — Together
Governance, accountability, and trust in practice.
AFFORD Is an Indigenous Community Trust
The Abyei Fund for Resilience and Development (AFFORD) was founded by and for the Ngok Dinka, who are:
- •Native to Abyei — their ancestral homeland
- •A small population and minority group — often overlooked in regional governance
- •Historically marginalized in governance — excluded from decisions that affect their land, livelihoods, and future
AFFORD exists to ensure that governance authority remains with the community—not external actors, donors, or intermediaries.
Authority Is Local. Accountability Is Shared.
Kush Inc. exists to support communities—not to replace them.
Decisions about resources, priorities, and trade are governed locally through community institutions, with clear safeguards to prevent misuse, capture, or dependency.
Gender in KUSH governance is a matter of responsibility, not hierarchy.
Women play a central role in decision-making because they are primary stewards of land, family economies, and social continuity in many of the communities we serve.
This does not elevate women above men. It reflects the reality that development fails when their authority is excluded.
Men, women, elders, and youth each hold distinct responsibilities. Effective governance depends on those roles being recognized, not politicized.
The Institutions Involved
AFFORD
Abyei Fund for Resilience and Development
AFFORD is the community-founded trust that holds funds, assets, and legal accountability. It exists to ensure inclusive governance, prevent elite capture, and protect community decisions over time.
Women's Community Budget Council
The Women's Community Budget Council allocates funds from the community trust to programs and projects. The Council is 75% women and 25% men, with leadership positions held by women. Members deliberate collectively and are accountable to the community through AFFORD.
Key Rules:
- Allocates funds only (does not propose projects)
- Operates within AFFORD's founding articles
- Decisions are documented and reviewable
Kush Inc.
Technical & Fiduciary Steward
Kush Inc. provides technical design, fiduciary oversight, and operational support. It does not control community decisions or allocate funds.
Key Functions:
- Structures project proposals
- Ensures feasibility and compliance
- Maintains systems (STRIVE)
Nothing here happens without consent.
Recognizing Contribution Fairly
Kush operates on mutual aid. Community members earn Strive Points through approved community service and redeem them for shared services.
Emergency support for children and life-saving assistance is never conditional.
Governance Notes
- Service categories approved by the Women's Council
- Points cannot be converted to cash
- Points are auditable and time-bound
Authority is local. Accountability is shared.
Safeguards and Accountability
Conflict of Interest
Allocators do not propose or implement projects.
Transparency
Allocations, reports, and outcomes are recorded and reviewable.
Appeals
Community members may raise concerns through AFFORD's governance mechanisms.
Failure Handling
Projects may be paused or redesigned based on learning—not punishment.
How We Learn
Kush tracks how cooperation grows within communities, across communities, and between communities and institutions—especially around shared assets like land, water, and markets.
This learning guides future decisions.
Engage With Trust
Support the Community TrustLearn about programs or suggest a priority you care about.