Hoe kijkt onze partner terug op het project?
De partner vertelt... van 23 oktober 2018 door Jeisson Delgado Sarmiento
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 is being developed in line with the plans and preparations done prior to start date. Some of the aspects of the projects were delayed because of rain and other external factors.
A daily meeting was done with the Dutch team and the local team to review the plans and adjust the agenda of the day and implement optimization.
1.2 Implementation of the project
- Preschool Windows: the old wood windows were removed and the frames prepared to install the new ones, which were manufactured previously by the students of the technical training center. A total of 6 classrooms were intervened in the preschool wing of the school
- Admin building Windows: According to the plan, these windows were to be changed and upgraded within one month after the mission trip. However, the rainy season has delayed the process and this has not been completed within this month. Progress continues to be made.
- Auditorium: The plan were completed with the contractor hired to do the work. The Dutch team contributed greatly to the preparation of the structure of the auditorium and prepared the way for the contractor to do the work in heights and the technical aspects of this project. This project was completed within the planed schedule.
- Admin building roof: during the visit, progress was made in removing the old roof, preparation of the plaques that would hold the concrete plate. After the mission trip, the local team has been pouring the concrete on the plaques and working on completing the bigger aspects of the new concrete roof, the electrical wiring, air conditioning and ceiling, this is a big project.
- Flag stands in the school courtyard: this was an additional project in which the Dutch team helped as well. The resources for materials of this project were not included in the overall budget for World Servants and Woord en Daad but were assumed by the school. Now the school is finishing the flag stands, this is still a work in progress. Thank you Dutch team for helping us with the labor force for this project.
2. CONSTRUCTION
2.1 Buildings worked on
The Windows of preschool were finished and the classrooms inaugurated with the students on the first day of school after holidays. The auditorium project was completed, this auditorium was used to celebrate the closing event of the mission week. The old roof was completely dismantled by the end of the mission trip, and the metal plaques were installed where the concrete was to be poured to form the new roof (this was planned to be completed within one month after the mission trip by local workforce). All the rubble and waste was removed by the Dutch team and the school areas were cleared up and ready to receive the students
2.2 Tasks to be done
- Installation of admin building Windows (these are already manufactured)
- Installation of ceilings, electrical wirings and air conditioning systems are pending
3. FACILITATION OF THE TEAM
3.1 Children Program
It was developed completely, all the activities were prepared by the Dutch team and the local team of teachers supported delivery. Every day a group of students participated in the activities.
3.2 Cultural and touristic outings
- Several church related activities were done with a friend church of Conviventia. Also, sports activities took place with the local youth. A work day was done in a farm outside of Cartagena, an adaptation of the children program was done in the school near the farm, helped harvest a crop of yucca and visited with the farm owners. The Dutch team had a taste of typical Cartagena food in the farm.
- Fire department: a tour of the facilities was done and the Dutch team had the chance to interact with the local body of firemen.
- Local newspaper, a quick tour was done with the Dutch team in the facilities and we visited the different areas and departments of the newspaper, the Dutch team members were interviewed and an article was published in the online version of the newspaper.
- Music Institute that works with the school, they showed the Dutch team how they teach principles and values from the christian faith through music.
- Community Development Center with single mothers
- Sightseeing the city was done in the fortifications, the beach and the historic areas of the city.
- Several things were done in terms of coordination at local level, all the aspects of living in the school grounds for three weeks were taken care of such as showers, food.
3.3 Life Skills program
The buddy program was done with the students of the technical training center with whom a cultural Exchange was done for three days and both parties were enriched to learn about their peers culture, differences and similarities of both cultures
4. COOPERATION AND INVOLVEMENT
4.1 Leadership team World Servants
The leadership of the team had the capacity to ensure that all the tasks are completed within Schedule, they continually regroup and provided direction to the team
4.2 Local leaders / key persons
The heads of the school were involved making sure that all activities were done as timely as possible. However, some of the things related to logistical provision of materials and supply chain were challenging because there is a local culture of informality
4.3 Community
The community was positively impacted, especially the children that participated in the activities and the youth that participated in the sports activities and the activities with the local church. Also the rural school visited near the farm were also benefited and the mothers in the community development center where works of renovation and painting the walls took place.
The local team of Conviventia was also benefited. Team work was strengthened by the visit and the overall morale of the workers of Conviventia increased as a result. A ripple effect of participation occurred and everyone wanted to collaborate
4.4 Beneficiaries
The preschool students have classrooms that are more comfortable and with better lighting with the new Windows, as well as better ventilation and increased safety because these new Windows do not have glass panes. Additionally, the appearance of the classrooms is enhanced also.
The auditorium works increased safety also because the structure was reinforced to make it last longer. Additionally, the leaks were fixed and the overall appearance provides a better look.
The administration roof renovations created a completely different work environment because the offices no longer get flooded and the leaks were fixed so employees can do their work more comfortably and productivity Is expected to increase. Additionally, the infrastructure projects contributed to the reduction of the plague problems with bats, which had their home in
the old roof. There is increased conditions of hygiene and more healthy conditions.
4.5 (Local) authorities
An interview was done with local community leaders that work with communities of internally displaced people groups that have been forced out of their lands in the countryside into cities like Cartagena. The Dutch team had the opportunity to ask them about their experience working with these people groups and learn about their challenges and the way they approach the challenges of serving these communities.
5. PRACTICAL ARRANGEMENTS
5.1 Accommodation
Stayed in the school grounds during all the mission trip
5.2 Food
A team of kitchen staff prepared three meals per day plus two snacks to make sure the Dutch team had enough food during the trip
5.3 Transportation
Buses were hired with a local company to provide from and to the airport and to the sightseeing places the team visited. Additionally, the corporate pick up truck was used and the principal’s car as well.
5.4 Safety
There were always at least two security guards in the school grounds at all times. In addition, the driver of the pick up truck is also security trained and has the capacity to respond with first aid care if needed. The security director also provided instruction remotely from Bogotá to make sure there was capacity of response in case of an emergency. Contingency plan included activation of network reaction with the local police department.
6. LESSONS LEARNED
Teamwork was strengthened in the local team. The capacity of the Dutch team to follow direction and work hard, their response to responsibility, stewardship of resources and time were inspiring to the local team. The example of international volunteers inspires our team an impacts our culture. The Dutch team style of work is generally more intense than the local style and matching both levels of intensity was a challenge during the first few days and getting momentum seemed difficult at first, but then a good balance was found and the projects took off smoothly. The local team realized soon during the first week that the calculations of daily work to be completed by a group of 27 Dutch workers was underestimated. The Dutch team works much faster than local standards and this created a bit of pressure during the first few days while both teams found a good balance
point to work together. Next time the local layout of the schedule will add more intensity to the amount of work to be completed per day so the Dutch teams work at their full capacity.
