Aiming for reduction of stigma and discrimination of Leprosy

De partner vertelt... van 28 juli 2017

1&2. SUMMARY & INTRODUCTION ON THE PROJECT
After a preliminary visit by World Servants (WS) in March of 2017, the project was implemented in "7 Houses Community" in Pakkoku township. The volunteers assisted in the construction of a Community Hall and a bridge during the month of July 2017.

The Pakkoku project aimed for reduction of stigma and discrimination and better access to the neighborhood (and vise versa) for the members of 30 families and 28 households of the "7 Houses Community". Unfortunately, it was found that the bridge construction was unsuitable for the WS members since there were dangerous working conditions for the participants. TLMM took prompt action and rearranged the focus of the project to the renovation of three houses of people affected by leprosy who are residing in "7 Houses Community" instead of participating in bridge construction.
                
The bridge construction was continued by local contractors and local people. So, WS members participated in construction of the Community Hall (chapel) and renovation of houses. Local people, including members of parliament, local authorities, community members of "7 Houses Community" and other well-wishers also participated in this project in terms of money donation as well as labor.

3. OPERATIONAL LEVEL
3.1 The construction
For the building project in "7 Houses Community" in Pakokku Township, the budget was used for two different construction activities: building the Community Hall and another for the bridge construction. Initially, the plan was for the team to work on these two different sites, but as the bridge construction was not in a condition for the volunteer team to work on, the whole construction process was continued by local contractors and local people. The original estimated calculation was a 3-foot-tall bridge made with smaller pipes, but the local workers managed to build a stronger bridge that is 8-foot-tall and made with stronger, hollow pipes. During their stay, the WS members participated in the construction of the Community Hall (chapel) and the renovation of three houses of persons affected by leprosy residing in "7 Houses Community", which was rearranged for them instead of participating in bridge construction.

For the first week, the team worked together on the renovation of the hall, which included the brick walling, three rooms, and the ceiling. Once the Community Hall was nearly finished, some WS members split off to work on building the bamboo and wooden frame houses for the individuals in the 7 Houses Community while the other WS members finished up the Community Hall. For the houses, they needed to tear down the old houses first, and then start building the new house.

3.2 Facilitation of the team
As there wasn’t anywhere to accommodate the whole team in one location close to the construction site of the Community Hall, TLMM team arranged the accommodation at the monastery where the Head Monk willingly accepted the team. The monks lent pillows, blankets, and a sleeping mats to the team. The food was prepared by the kitchen team, and the meal was prepared in Myanmar style, with rice and various curries. On the weekends, the team visited the historic site “Pagan.” There they had lunch and cycled to visit famous pagodas and a traditional craft wear shop. In the evening, they went to Shwe Sandaw pagoda to watch sunset and then headed off to Pakokku. They participated in the monastery activities, teaching children from "7 Houses Community", enjoyed singing, painting, hand craft making, storytelling, and night programmes.

3.3 Cultural activities
The team had the chance to visit a Buddhist religious ceremony, and to visit a Monastic education programme where the monks and students there entertained the group with traditional Myanmar orchestra. They also conducted activities with 600 young students from the monastery. They visited Bone Kan village where TLMM project activities are being implemented for persons with disability and person affected by leprosy, and there the self-help group (SHG) presented and explored activities such as incense candle production, weaving, oil press, and plastic bucket production. The team also visited the house of rich and middle class members of the community to explore the culture. Additionally, the team visited the local church, participated in a devotion with praise song and sharing. There were two football matches organized between WS team and township level football team and college students.

3.4 Transportation
The airport pick-up, transportation to the project township, and visits in Yangon to the famous Shwedagone Pagoda and other site-seeing were arranged by the head office team and the Admin and Logistics Officer. As for the arrangements in Pakokku, the TLMM Disability Resource Center team made the arrangements. Daily transport was required as the distance from the monastery and the construction sites is about 20 minutes away by car. On the first day, they arranged three vehicles for the team, two light trucks and one tipper. There was a minor accident on the first day, so the team arranged three light trucks and then, from 22nd to 26th they arranged four light trucks. Each truck could accommodate about seven to eight persons.

3.5 Safety / Field Security Plan
At least one or two TLMM staff members accompanied the team where ever they went. Also, the community is very caring and the local people are always mindful of the team’s security and the local authority and police security are given. TLMM Field Operations Manager slept at the hospital, attending to one of the volunteers who needed to be hospitalized for one day. A TLMM staff member made their house available for the WS team members who needed to take a break.

3.6 Cooperation with the WSN project staff
There were several email communications before each team arrived to prepare for the necessary visa arrangement, and the information given to the logistic and discussion on the workplan.

3.7 Involvement of the stakeholders
    3.7.1 Applicant
The TLMM head office arranged the visa applications, stay permits, and travel permits for the team and all of the accommodations and transportation arrangements were handled by the head office. The construction sites were in the Dry Zone, luckily and especially in the "7 House Community" where people affected by leprosy are staying. One person accompanied the team to and from Yangon and Pakokku.
    
    3.7.2 Staff
There were always two to three TLMM staff members available in the office to help and support the needs of the team during their stay and made arrangements for the site visits and community visits, as well as the day-to-day arrangements. Also, two to three staff members took turns staying at the monastery to support the needs of the WS members.

    3.7.3 Beneficiaries
The widow who received a new house couldn’t have built her house without the support of WS and said that she doesn’t need to worry about the accommodations for another decade. Now that the bridge is completed, it is like connecting the community closer to the other communities and there are big benefits to school children, as well as older people. Moreover, the Community Hall is hosting community events, weddings, and trainings that are beneficial to the community. It has even become a place to take shelter from the rain.

    3.7.4 The local authorities
The local authorities were very cooperative and they readily granted permission for the WS team members to stay in the community. Permission was even granted to stay at the monastery without difficulties. There was good networking and interest from the authorities. During the construction period, TLMI’s International Director and TLMM country director visited the project sites. The WS team, guests from township parliamentarians, and responsible officers from the relevant government department met together and discussed the WS project, how it was started, the progress made. They also expressed their gratitude and interest and discussed the future plans.

    3.7.5 Community
The surrounding communities are accepting the "7 House Community" members and there are no signs of discrimination seen. There is more networking and coordination among them, and they seem to become one community, not seeing the "7 Houses Community" as different.

4. DEVELOPMENT OF THE PROJECT
The Community Hall is complete and the community is starting to host community events, trainings, and weddings. The opening ceremony of the new bridge will be held next month. The bridge connects the community with other surrounding communities, and there are big benefits to school children, as well as older people.

5. LESSONS LEARNED
We learned from the bridge construction arrangement and networking that more detailed follow-up is needed when making arrangements. We also learned that we need to take more care about the foods, water and weather to adapt, when there is changes. We learned good lessons and practices from the WS team, especially their daily regular feedback sessions. We also learned that unexpected thing can happen and that we need to plan and better prepare for changes.