‘Hoe kijkt coördinator Pascal Habimpano terug op het project
De partner vertelt... van 16 november 2021 door Pascal Habimpano
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?
ABUNZUBUMWE is a Cluster Level Association (CLA) of Self Help Groups formed by EPR in Karambi Cell, Muhazi sector in Rwamagana District. For almost 3 years, the above mentioned CLA had been advocating for the local community to have a modern Early Childhood Centre for their children to facilitate children in the community have access to integrated service for their better future prospects. Many attempts had been done without fully succeeding due to lack of own building. The advocacy done by this CLA was well received by EPR and Help a Child accepted to fund the project with the World Servants funds. Initially, the project was to construct a modern ECD centre of 3 classrooms, Office, Kitchen, store, Toilets and the fence. The construction was planned to be done in 2 months, from July to September 2021. The Execution of the project has been almost done as planned despite some constraints and changes that occurred due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
Give a (short) general description of the implementation of the project.
The Project of Karambi ECD construction was planned to kick off in July to end in September 2021. It was a well-planned project hence its execution did not delay even though COVID-19 lockdown interrupted the progress of the construction activities for 2 weeks (From mid-July to the beginning of August 2021). Despite that disruption, the constructor doubled his efforts to end his task on time thanks to the great plan and implementation that was put in place by EPR-CCDP manager and the construction company, PIAZZA DEL POPOLO Ltd. To put activities on the right track, the building materials were provided timely and the supervision by EPR-CCDP management was done regularly to ensure quality, efficiency and dead time.
EPR is very thankful also to see many children attending this ECD, besides the main objective of this project, which was construction but the end results is to see infrastructure being used by children and parents in different activities that contribute to the wellbeing of children.
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
This was the first step of the construction activities. It was done in collaboration with the representation of the local community and the staff of EPR CCDP guided by the masons of PIAZZA DEL POPOLO Ltd . This was effectively done as planned.
The walls of 3 classrooms (8,4/7m), office (4,2/3,9 m) were elevated within the first 2 weeks but before reaching lintel level ,the construction activities stopped due to lockdown as COVID-19 preventive measures. Despite the lockdown disturbance which caused the delay in time, the elevation of walls was successfully done.
The kitchen with a stock room ( 7/5m) was built with a wood double stove, Toilets of 7/3m with 5 rooms was constructed including one room of people with disability, The fence around the building and playground was built in wire mesh for children’s safety. Gutters and 2 water tanks were installed to harvest water from the ceiling. This was done very well. The water will be used in daily activities of WASH and sanitation.
Meanwhile the supervision of the construction works was regularly conducted by EPR-CCDP staff and sometimes in collaboration with Muhazi sector (SEI and Sector engineer) and Rwamagana district officials (District Education Officer and engineer) mostly came to inspect the works for quality standardisation.
Tasks to be done
All activities have been well completed.
Programs
Children program
Regarding other programs that were scheduled, like Children Program, Cultural and touristic outings and life skills, all these did not happen as planned because the World Servant Team could not travel due to COVID-19 pandemic preventive measures.
Cultural and touristic outings
did not happen due to COVID-19 pandemic
Life Skills program and Football for Water (also include the amount of tranings given and the number of people from the community actively involved in training).
same as above
Cooperation and involvement
Leadership team World Servants
Visiting the site that was proposed for the construction earlier 2020
Agreeing to Financially support the project
Virtual Exchange and collaboration within the construction progress
Local leaders / key persons
Availing a very good plot and linking with local administration
Facilitation to get Construction authorization
Organizing and participating in community work( Umuganda)
Community
Attending organized meeting at the construction site
Active Participation in Community work” Umuganda”
Some were hired as support workers on construction site
Provision of some building materials like trees and water
Beneficiaries
Due to the COVID-19 circumstances, the children who are the prime beneficiaries did not get opportunity to actively take part.
(Local) authorities
The local authorities were highly involved in the implementation of this project from the conception to the final stage.
They cooperated openly with the CLA “ABUNZUBUMWE “in advocacy, searching for the plot and organizing the community works at village level. Their participation and cooperation was valuable.
Facilitation of the team
Accommodation
didnot happen due to the COVID-19 pandemic
Food
same as above
Transportation
same as above
Safety
same as above
Lessons learned
Working in COVID-19 circumstances was a great barrier (Sudden lockdown and some preventive measures) to respect the dead time as the ECD centre was to be used in the beginning of October 2021. It required doubling efforts and great collaboration with the district and sector authorities to provide some facilitation despite the COVID-19 preventive measures.
Sharing the activities progress through live streamed event was an alternative to be able to share the progress of the construction progress with the WS team in Netherlands. Had this not happened, it would be a great missing opportunity to the local community.
If circumstances allow, it will be a great pleasure to the community to host the team of World Servant for various exchange with youth, children and adults.
EPR and HaC Rwanda are very grateful to the World Servants , Rwamagana District , Local authorities and local community for their role in the implementation of this project which provided children and their families access to early stimulation, nutrition, health, protection and sanitation services. The facility is an open space to serve other community development purposes such as children groups and positive parenting classes. Without this stakeholders’ contribution, the project would have been difficult to implement or not possible.
