Working together with one heart enables development
De partner vertelt... van 6 september 2017 door Michael Tembo
1. SUMMARY
The project went very well. The team was very understanding, including the leaders.
2. INTRODUCTION ON THE PROJECT
The team was received with a very good and warm welcome. It took time to get settled because there was a lot of singing and dancing.
3. OPERATIONAL LEVEL
The level of operation was very high, the team worked very hard to achieve their goal.
3. 1. Construction
The construction went very well, it is up to the set standards. All the materials needed were already available at the construction site. The technical leaders from both sides knew what they were doing.
3.2. Facilitation of the team
- The team was accommodated in the classrooms as planned
- The food was very good, the kitchen members did a good job
- The children's program went very well, the team enjoyed it very much
- From both sides the Life Skills Program went very well
- The culture program went very well too. The participants enjoyed their visits into the
3.3. Transportation
Transporting of the participants was good from Lusaka airport to the lodge and from the lodge to Mkushi. On our way back to Lusaka the driver was not very late, he tried to keep his time. Transporting the materials was not very difficult because the project was not very far away from Mkushi town.
3.5. Safety
We had a safe project. Both sides made sure that safety was in everybody's mind and we all took responsibility. We had one toilet which collapsed, but thankfully there was nobody nearby.
3.6. Cooperation with the WSN project leaders
The co-operation with the leaders was very good. Richard and the colleagues were very good leaders. We worked together very well, always checking on each other to know how were doing.
3.7. Involvement of the stake-holders
Applicants, staff, local beneficiaries and the local community showed a good spirit and commitment. They all did well.
When the local authorities first arrived they were very negative and not grateful, they were demanding to see the budget and other things. Their attitude was not good for us and for our Dutch friends. After two days we followed them to the office and we had a good time. They were very sorry for what they did, because they did not understand how World Servants and MCC work. They apologized and they confessed that they were misled. At the end of the project the local authorities visited the hand-over ceremony and met the Dutch leaders for another apology. We are happy that it was sorted out.
3.8. Finances
We had no problem with the allocation of food, culture and transport of participants. Also the transport of materials was fine. On construction budget, we just got enough to finish the block. We needed to strictly watch our spending to stick to our budget. We hope that when there will be an increase in the income, the budget can go up a bit so that we can provide concrete slabs for the buildings.
4. DEVELOPMENT OF THE PROJECT
The project is a good development for the community. Because of working together with one heart we are able to see such development. The face of the school has changed. The school children, parents, local authorities and the teachers are very happy with the developments.
5. LESSONS LEARNED
- Stay together as leaders. It is important that the World Servants, the local partners and the local community meet frequently to discuss and evaluate the project.
- There will always be one or two persons who will be negative about the development. Therefore we need to stay focused of knowing why we are do what we do.
- Lastly, we are once again very grateful for the partnership we have with World Servants.
