The clinic created a wonderful development for our women

De partner vertelt... van 6 september 2017 door Michael Tembo


1. SUMMARY
The project went well, despite some hidden challenges which our Dutch friends did not notice.

2. INTRODUCTION ON THE PROJECT
The team arrived as planned on the airport. Together we travelled from Lusaka to the lodge and from the lodge to Mkushi, Nambo.

3. OPERATION LEVEL
3.1. The construction
Construction work went very well.

3.2. Facilitation

  • The facilitation of the team was good. They were accommodated in the classroom as planned.
  • Unfortunately the Life Skills Program was not well communicated by the headmaster to his fellow teachers. There was a lack of strong leadership, but in general the programme went well.
  • Culture programs went very well. It was a good experience for the team and the programs were very informative and educative.

3.4. Transportation
When we went to Mkushi the transport of the participants went well, But when we wanted to travel back to Lusaka, the driver was late. We sharply rebuked the driver, because we were not happy about it. The transport of materials went well, we experienced no problems.

3.5. Safety
We really emphasized on safety, as a result of that no accidents have happened.

3.6. Co-operation.
The cooperation with the leaders of World Servants was very good, we worked together very well. Alie showed very good leadership. Jan Bosman played a very important role to assist Alie. It was very pleasant to be able to cooperate with such good leaders.

3.7. Involvement of stake-holders
The involvement of the applicants, clinic staff, local beneficiaries and the local authorities was good. Only the community was not as good as expected. Nambo people lack the proper leadership skills to organise their community. At a previous project we also experienced these similar problems of lack of co-ordination and organisation. Among others the turn-out of the local people was not very good. The local people asked a lot of things from the participants which was not expected of them. 

3.8. Funds
The finances were just enough to complete the buildings. Projects that are located very far away from Mkushi town need more funds for the costs of transportation. On materials we did our best to be within the funds for construction.

The transport of the participants was expensive. This because of the high costs of the bus that needed to transport even more participants then earlier years and the distance that the bus had to travel, was also longer.

4. DEVELOPMENT
The project created a wonderful development, especially for our women. There is nothing more appreciated than for our women to be private when bringing young ones into the world. There will be more pressure on the primary school as enrolment will increase, as more people are born in the area.

5. LESSONS LEARNED
  • It was a bit of a challenge to fit a family into a World Servants group, especially the young family members bellow the age of 16.
  • Evening meetings with the participants created more time for interaction, that made that  both sides could learn from each other.
  • Keep on reviewing the progress and be open to each other to talk about mistakes
  • Be ready for new challenges.
  • We work better when we are open and friendly to one another.

Thank you once again for your partnership in development!