Narrative Report
De partner vertelt... van 11 oktober 2017 door Sanday Kamara
Van de coördinator van Cotton Tree Foundation in Sierra Leone hebben we een Narrative Report ontvangen van project SL117. Hieronder lees je het verhaal vanuit zijn oogpunt.
1. Summary
A three classroom block of 5x5 meters with two office spaces for head teacher and staff and store room has been completed. The targeted output has been fully achieved and is currently being utilized for its intended purpose.
After the participants left, a latrine with 6 compartments 4 toilets and 2 urinary rooms has been built for KDC Primary School, Laminaya. The toilet facility has been completed and is currently been utilized.
2. Introduction on the project
A trained, qualified and experienced contractor was engaged and has capacity to communicate fully in English and local dialect of the participants and community respectively. He was committed and possesses skills in dealing with the participants.
3. Construction
The construction work began with the preparation of the foundation blocks. This was accomplished through the community effort. The foundation work started in earnest in June 2017. The contractor and the technical committee were responsible for the technical aspect of the construction whilst the community people carried out the stumping, backfilling of the foundation and fetching of water and labour for foundation concrete work. After which a two block work on the foundation was achieved.
The construction work with the participants started on the July the 17th. Before then, Cotton Tree Foundation had bought and delivered all construction materials in good quantities. On each day of work at site the community organized a 20 manpower labour force to assist the participants. There was a good working atmosphere with positive interaction among all as a team.
The participants and local people were very hard working throughout the project period and together we achieved our targets. The building was partly roofed and handing over ceremony was observed on 30 July 2017, witnessed by the paramount chief and sub chiefs, Kambia District Council (education sector), World servants, Cotton Tree Foundation and community people. The ceremony entailed the handing over of a three classroom block, office space and store room.
Construction of the VIP latrine started in July after the departure of the team of participants.
4. Facilitation of the team
The necessary facilities to facilitate the participants were well organized before the arrival of the team of volunteers. These include arrangements for accommodation, set up of electricity facility, provision of beddings, transportation, food meals and site seeing events etc.
5. Benefits of the project
The benefits realized resullting from this project are immense. A total of 180 pupils and 9 teachers have been provided with conducive teaching and learning environment contributing to increase access and quality education. This provision has relieved pupils from overcrowded classroom situation to a more conducive and child friendly learning environment. The pupil teacher ratio is now being reduced.
The school has a separate head-teacher office and staffroom, which are suitable for the head teacher and teaching staff to work in and for meetings with individual teachers or parents. This office is now actively being used by the head teacher as well as teachers to conduct their tasks and meetings with staff and parents.
The school infrastructure projects have provided free sitting accommodation for pupils and teachers. The constructed classrooms have a seat for every child. The provision of benches, blackboards, desks, chairs and cupboards in each classroom have made the learning environment child-teacher friendly.
The construction of VIP toilets for KDC Primary School have help eased the over dependence on one latrine with only two boreholes for the entire school. The construction of the VIP latrines have contributed to the availability of sufficient sanitary facility separate for pupils and teachers. Besides, new urinary compartments have now be introduced in the school. This will reduce the effect of open defication around the school grounds and contribute to improve good hygiene practices. The toilets have been completed and already in use.
Other benefits expected from this intervention include increasing enrolment overtime, school approval and financial assistance from the Ministry of Education Science and Technology.
