‘Hoe kijkt coördinator Edward Bailor terug op het project?’
De partner vertelt... van 3 december 2019 door Edward Bailor
Elk jaar vragen we onze partner hoe het project is gegaan en welke lessen de partner heeft geleerd.
Context and summary
Describe the original plan/idea for the project. Has the project been executed as planned?
Yes the project is being executed as planned:
• The children, technical and cultural committees were constituted (WS local Committee) as planned which is always part of the preparation for all projects
• After CTF received the funds for the construction, all building materials needed for the building were procured.
• The local materials needed for the construction were gathered at the building site by community people which is part of their own contribution to the pro.
• Afterwards, with support from the community people CTF prepared the foundation and did the two layers of blocks work for the 3 classroom, office space for head teacher, staff room for teacher and store.
• When we received the funds for facilitation, the accommodation for the participants was also prepared.
• With support from the local people, we started work on the building on Monday, 12th August until we reached the highest peak of the building. Some plastering was done the building was roofed with zinc/iron plate before the participants left for the Netherlands on the 29th August 2019.
Give a (short) general description of the implementation of the project.
The participants arrived in Sierra Leone on Saturday, 10th August, 2019 at about 16:45 GMT. Because the road from Lungi to Faradugu where the accommodation is good or paved highway, we drove directly to the accommodation that knight. It was like two hours thirty minutes drive.
On Sunday 11th we attended a church service at the Calvary Baptist Church in Patifu. The aim was to get the participants to walk the almost two miles distance from the accommodation at Faradugu to Patifu where the project. This was to prepare them for the distance before the start of the project on the Monday 12th.
On Monday 12th the community organized a formal reception ceremony to receive the participants. During this time there were local drums, singing and dancing as the community danced with the participants from the accommodation in Faradugu to Patifu.
A formal ceremony was organized at the project site for the construction to start. This involving all stakeholders. Both Christian and Muslim prayers were offered to start the ceremony and statements were made by community stakeholders, and a representative from participants before the construction work began.
As usual during the construction, the technical leaders of the participants, CTF and the local contractor agreed on targets every day and worked very hard to achieve those targets. At the end of every day, the targets for the day were evaluated, whether they were achieved or not. At the end, new targets were also set for the other day.
Various evenings, cultural and children’s programmes were also organized along-side the construction work by the participants in close collaboration with the WS local committee members and CTF staff assigned. Some of the cultural programmes included home visitations, visit to hospital, local markets and cooking with local kitchen staff.
How do you look back on the following topics? How was it arranged, what went well, what could be done better?
Construction
Buildings worked on
The building work went up to the highest peak, the roofing was done with the zinc and some amount of plastering was also done.
Tasks to be done
Plastering which started with participants to be completed, floor screeding, fix internal ceiling, fix windows and doors already prepared and painting to be completed.
Programs
Children program
As usual for the children’s program participants divided themselves in small groups. While some participants were at the construction site, some were allowed to attend the children’s program. In this way, every participant was given the chance to attend the children’s program.
Cultural and touristic outings
For the cultural outings, all participants attended some touristic outings like the jungle, visit to the hospital, local market and so on. However, based on our experience with heavy rains so with the first team, I did not recommend the boat ride with the second team for fear of accident
Life Skills program and Football for Water
The life Skills programs were also well organized, although at start with little challenges. It was organized for three days as usual.
Cooperation and involvement
Leadership team World Servants
Like in Laminaya, the Leadership team of World Servants was very dedicated, innovative and engaging during the project. They were always asking questions to clarify issues like time and place related to the project or cultural programs. This was good because they were task oriented and always kept the Coordinator and the contractor thinking and planning about the project on a daily basis.
Local leaders / key persons
The local leaders were also very supportive during the project as they helped with the organisation of the local team that participated in the building project and the cultural programs. Many of them visited the project sites almost every day to follow up on progress. To make sure the men assigned from the community to work are at the building site. They also tasked the community to provide food for workers from the community.
Community
The community, was receptive, friendly and enthusiastic throughout the stay of the participants. They were also very supportive during the project. Anytime we traveled or walk along villages you see villagers waving their hands in greetings and you hear shouting "orpoto” which means “whiteman” in Themne which is more or less a sign of you are welcome.
Beneficiaries
Like the community, the head teacher and teachers of the school were also very supportive of the project. The head teacher helped in the organization of the children and cultural programs and was also involve in many of them. Women beneficiary participated in the project by fetching water and coking for the local team.
(Local) authorities
Local authorities such as the inspector of schools Port Loko District, the paramount chief, village head men were also very supportive. For example, chiefs, a pastor, an Imams and even one of the senior inspector of schools of Port Loko District attended the opening and temporary handing over ceremonies.
Facilitation of the team
Accommodation
The accommodation was at Faredugu about two miles from Patifu. Generally, it was as Camp beds (double) were transported from Lamiaya to Lunsar to provide comfortable sleeping places for participants. A Generator providing lights at least up to 12 pm Sierra Leonean time or as required by the participants during their period of stay was also provided every day.
Food
Discussion with the participants revealed that the food was ok no major illnesses were also reported.
Transportation
Due to the fact the number was manageable, one bus service was provided for the participants throughout their stay in Sierra Leone. The W&D jeep was also at the disposal of the project.
Safety
It is also part of our usual security arrangements to have police officers from the Sierra Leone police to provide security during all projects. The services of two securities (one armed during the knight and another unarmed during the day) was secured throughout the duration of the project. Therefore, there was no complaint of theft throughout the duration of the project.
As in Laminaya, various security measures were also taken by the participants at the project and some locals at the project site by the wearing of hard boats and hand gloves. Children were also prevented from coming close to the project site for fear of harm or injury.
Lessons learned
1. Participants place equal value on the cultural/touristic and children programs compared to the building. We learned that these should be give equal importance during their stay.
2. Effective planning with specific details of time and place is an important element of success when one work with participants.
3. In a discussion with participants in Kambia we learned that bread for breakfast and lunch food is preferred over rice.
