Hoe kijkt onze partner terug op het project?

De partner vertelt... van 22 oktober 2018


Na elk project vragen we onze partner hoe het project is gegaan en welke lessen de partner heeft geleerd. Je vindt hier het bijbehorende rapport.

1.    CONTEXT AND SUMMARY
1.1    The original plan of the project
The project LA LIBERTAD, aims to improve the economic conditions, welfare and self-esteem of the families of the surrounding community, by means of strengthening of the social and solidarity economy. The main economic activity of the peasant families of the Libertad area is the intensive production of corn. However, in recent years with climatic changes, with unstable rainy periods, strong presence of pests and diseases, the profitability of corn cultivation has been gradually decreasing, significantly reducing the family income. For this reason, as a sustainable alternative, the partners for development in La Libertad and the general population of the area, have started sowing and producing cocoa in associated and agroforestry systems for 6 years.
As cocoa was a new crop, marketing had difficulties, which is why the organization of La Libertad, with the support of the MAQUITA Foundation, implemented a point of purchase of cocoa on a rented land.
With the profits generated from the commercialization of cocoa, the group of producers of Libertad bought 4 plots in the community with the aim of implementing a collection center in the area that serves not only for cocoa, but also for the commercialization of corn and rice.
The process of implementing the proposal was developed as follows:
➢ Involvement of the volunteer group of World Servants to count on human and financial support.
➢ Involvement of the Los Ríos team of the Maquita Foundation
➢ Cooperation with the representatives and members of the Society of accounts in participation of the community collection center of the La Libertad enclosure of Palenque canton
➢ Construction of part of enlosure of the collection center between buildings
➢ Construction of the Cocoa Storage warehouse
➢ Construction of the drying area.
➢ Construction of tental for cocoa drying.
➢ Construction of cocoa fermentation area in Baba.
➢ Construction of 2 toilets in the collection center

1.2    Implementation of the project
1. Reception at the airport and transfer of the group to the facilities of MAQUITA Agro
2. Institutional presentation and tour of facilities of MAQUITA agro and processing plant of semi-processed cocoa
3. Transfer to the community of La Libertad Palenque canton
4. Welcome to the group organized by producers, Maquita team.
5. Accommodation in the places established for the accommodation of the group.
6. Start of activities related to construction.
7. Carrying out integration activities with the community (visits to families, visits to the cocoa farms, visit to the community nursery, which allowed them to know the beginning of the process where the plants are obtained for the planting of new cocoa plantations , swimming in the river of the place that bears the same name (Palenque), preparation and tasting of typical food of the community)
8. Activities of connection with schools of nearby precincts (didactic and recreational activities with the students)
9. Visit to the Health Center of Palenque and the Catholic Church
10. Participation in recreational and cultural activities in the sector (cultural night, food tasting, popular dance)
11. Visit to tourist places in the Palenque canton ecological reserve
12. Conduct of worship in the Catholic Church of Palenque canton and chapel of the community of La Libertad.
13. Symbolic delivery of the construction by the volunteer group of World Servants to the organization Joint account of the community collection center of the Palenque canton La Libertad
14. Closing program and thanks to the group, by the organization, with the participation of the community.
15. Visit to the whale watching in Puerto López province of Manabí
16. Visit to the city of Guayaquil
17. Return of the group to Holland.

2.    CONSTRUCTION
2.1    Buildings worked on
The works of construction of the aforementioned works were done under the operational coordination of Julio Arce Alzate, Agricultural Coordinator responsible for the Maquita Foundation in the Territory of Los Ríos, the technical direction of the teacher Isidro Romero, the participation of 26 volunteers-as World Servants 17 women and 9 men, 15 partners of the Society of Joint accounts of the community collection center of the La Libertad area of Palenque, who participated before, during and after the coming of the World Servants volunteer group:
➢ Construction of a cocoa storage warehouse
➢ Linear enclosure between infrastructures.
➢ Fermentation area construction.
➢ Tendal construction for drying cocoa.
➢ Construction of toilets of the cacao collection center of the Joint Ventures Society of the community collection center of the La Libertad area of Palenque canton

2.2    Tasks to be done


3.    FACILITATION OF THE TEAM
3.1    Children Program
As for activities with the children of the community, it was carried out in the chapel and the sports field of the same community. Fun activities were carried out, which allowed an approach to the reality of the area, as well as sharing of daily experiences by families and children. We also visited the schools of the nearby precincts.

3.2    Cultural and touristic outings
As for the participation in cultural activities of the community, the group of volunteers attended the celebration of the cultural night, Queen Palenque's election party, tasting of typical food, popular dance and participation in an Agro productive fair.
They also made visits to the farms of cocoa producers to learn about the productive agricultural management, community nursery and also shared the delight of traveling in a canoe on the tour to one of the farms.

4.    COOPERATION AND INVOLVEMENT
4.1    Leadership team World Servants
For the coordination from Maquita Julio Arce Alzate was assigned, with the 2 contracted translators established a permanent communication process with the group leaders and the activities were carried out with the leaders Theunis Sjoerd Elzinga and Marinda Bosman. They every time showed its willingness to coordinate properly the activities foreseen in the initial proposal and also openness or predisposition to make the modifications that were necessary at the appropriate time according to reality. Coordinated meetings were held at all times to make the necessary adjustments and planning of activities, the communication was fluid and allowed all the activities to be carried out in the established times, without presenting any novelty.

4.2    Local leaders / key persons
SOCIETY OF ACCOUNTS IN PARTICIPATION OF THE COMMUNITY COLLECTION CENTER OF THE LA LIBERTAD DEL CANTON PALENQUE:
• Silvano Castillo. President
• Jesus Barros Olvera. Coordinator
• Franklin Loor Tuarez. Administrator
• Blanca Briones Méndez. Treasurer
• Mercy Valverde Piza. Spokeswoman.

4.3    Community
Community of La Libertad consiting of 85 families with approximately 320 inhabitants.

4.4    Beneficiaries
28 member of the Joint Ventures Society of the community collection center of the La Libertad area of Palenque canton

4.5    (Local) authorities
Alberto Ullon Loor, Mayor of Palenque canton

5.    PRACTICAL ARRANGEMENTS
5.1    Accommodation
The group accommodation was made in two locations; the health center of the town and in the house of the president of the Silvano Castillo organization suitable for the purpose

5.2    Food
The food was coordinated with members of the community led by Mercy Valverde for daily preparation, considering the products of the area and coordination with the leading group of Word Servants.

5.3    Transportation
The transportation was carried out in vehicles suitable for this type of travel and according to the schedules established with the coordination team of the Holland office of World Servants. As well as alternative vehicles such as the community canoe.

5.4    Safety
We counted on local facilities as considered in the security protocols, the community is close to the canton of Palenque where there are places of medical attention in Palenque, Mocache about 35 minutes and Quevedo at 1 hour; likewise for greater security it was coordinated with the national police of the same canton.

6.    LESSONS LEARNED
• The constant dedication and joy of the young volunteers of World Servants, as they gained the love and trust of the people who received them in the community.
• Being active and participatory at all times.
• Communicative at all times of life.
• The desire to help and share their knowledge and culture.
• Multifaceted and perform parallel activities within the daily work in a synchronized manner.
• A Lesson to continue sharing all the knowledge with others and give the effort and time necessary for things to be achieved in a short time.
• Delegation of functions with specific actions.
• The daily activity of sharing in groups to strengthen the mood of everyone, listening and giving advice on how to get out of problems or search for solutions.
• Adaptation to the environment where we arrived and we are entering into coexistence between the organization and harmony with groups of young people