OBA and operational change

By Peer Water Exchange Posted on Mon 27 Aug 2012, over 11 years ago

Hi James,

I understand why funders love OBA.

However, do you plan (or have started) to do anything operationally different? I am very interested in how OBA type activity could transform how NGOs operate, plan, measure, and report.

Otherwise, OBA will be only a program for NGOs who have the cash flow and reserves; they can offer it and keep get more funding.

Regards,
Rajesh

Metrics and long-term assessment

By Peer Water Exchange Posted on Mon 27 Aug 2012, over 11 years ago

Hi James,

In the "Metrics to be Measured" section, we want a list of measurable and trackable impacts you hope to achieve.

Maybe it was not clear, but we are looking for specific metrics you will track at some frequency. As stated "PWX will soon offer the ability to track metrics (at differing frequency) to learn about actual operation and assess impact" with some examples.

Your metrics #1 and #2 are baselines. #3 and #4 possibly fit the bill - i see them more as implementation tracking.

So we want to know what EMW (maybe as part of the 500 units of M&E) will track that can be graphed as a time series? Could you specify about 3 metrics that will help you assess how the system is operating over time? Need a measurement frequency and a scale (could be yes/no or percentage or number).

Having seen the challenges mentioned in your report, would ODF and usage of fish-pond latrines (and tracking it till it stabilizes near zero) be a candidate?

Water usage (increasing due to handwash plus toilets) until it stabilizes at a higher number might be another.

Thanks,
Rajesh

Re: Metrics and long-term assessment

By Peer Water Exchange Posted on Mon 27 Aug 2012, over 11 years ago

I would also like to know the details about your M&E efforts, the one you listed at 500 units.

By Etta Projects Posted on Thu 09 Aug 2012, over 11 years ago

Hi EMW,

Thanks for giving us the opportunity to review the sanitation project. I have a few comments and questions.

It would be helpful if you give reports or outcomes citing the success of the sanitation program success in Vietnam which your program aims to replicate. This is an ambitious project, and I would also like to see some more information to to gain a better understanding (i.e. an example of how the microloans will function, roles of your organization/community/vendors in marketing, details of the sanitation model, a more detailed breakdown and description of the budget).

Etta Projects also works in the area of sanitation. Similar to your approach we always begin projects by sanitation promotion to increase the demand for participating. Is there a typical approach that you use (i.e. SARAR) that you find most effective? I am also curious about your experiences and strategies in having families fulfill their financial contributions. This year, due to heavy rains in Eastern Bolivia and the loss of work, families are experiencing difficulties in meeting their financial contributions. I'd love to learn some effective strategies your group is utilizing.

On a side note, is the number of people receiving improved sanitation actually greater than the 1180 than you provided? It seems like you are counting households and not individuals.

Thank you again for presenting this project. I look forward to learning more from the experiences of EMW.

Thanks,

Katie Chandler
Etta Projects

See Our Business model

By Together Association for Development and Environment Posted on Sat 11 Aug 2012, over 11 years ago

Dear, Colleagues
There is an attached file in our profile called (business plan) you will see it more details about our sanitation model and how this system work and the financial plan.

By East Meets West Foundation Posted on Tue 14 Aug 2012, over 11 years ago

Thank you Katie for your comments and questions.

1 - We use consolidated approach in demand triggering including CLTS and a variety of sanitation promotion activities aligned with Lao authorities, Lao Women's Union as well as materials developed over the years in Cambodia and Vietnam.
2 - I have an evaluation (see attached) of the Vietnam Sanitation Program completed last year in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam. We originally targeted 3,500 households and then ultimately exceeded to 5,000 households. Our project was funded by AusAID and this year we were able to attract another major donor to scale 125,000 latrines in Vietnam and 23,000 in Cambodia using the same CHOBA model. So we know the approach works, but we want to do the "base building" with the Lao Women's Union as a pilot to figure out how to make it replicable in the Lao context. Further, we want the local leaders to have strong commitment and investment at the very beginning of any serious project.
3 -We count households as our metric since it's easiest to count output measures for our program. But you can easily get the total beneficiary population by factoring 4.85 times the household.

Thanks for your comments and questions. I am equally curious about your work and what effective strategies you provide and perhaps more interestingly, what indicators (i.e. litmus test) you use to gauge demand before phasing in supply chain development?

Best,
James
East Meets West

Project indicators

By Together Association for Development and Environment Posted on Thu 16 Aug 2012, over 11 years ago

1- First of all our first indicator is depending on the bad need in the targeted communities for the sanitation service.

2- Offer low cost dual-chamber septic tanks that can be constructed from locally available materials and are easy to maintain.

3- Engage communities in the design and installation of the systems, thereby generating the confidence among villagers that will motivate them to undertake other collective projects

sanitation

By PALMYRA Posted on Tue 07 Aug 2012, over 11 years ago

Cost is too low for the system
Can we have better documentation at least a drawing of proposed
system to be introduced

Juergen, Palmyra

sanitation

By Together Association for Development and Environment Posted on Sat 11 Aug 2012, over 11 years ago

Dear,Juergen, Palmyra
I don't understand what do you mean , but if you mean the break down of the community contribution it will be divided in to categories.
1- The land area for constructing the treatment unit is amount fro the total community contribution
2- The house connections which is the 50$ payed by each householder.

sanitation

By East Meets West Foundation Posted on Mon 27 Aug 2012, over 11 years ago

Dear Juergen,

Hope your questions are fully answered and addressed. There are detailed drawing approved by the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Public Works already in the proposal--three types (2 sceptic and 1 open pit).

I also welcome you to examine our Sanitation Evaluation conducted last year on our work in the Mekong Delta funded by AusAID. The CHOBA Pilot in Laos is based off this very, very successful model. Feel free to let me know if you have further questions.

Best,
James
EMW

sanitation

By PALMYRA Posted on Tue 28 Aug 2012, over 11 years ago

Dear James & Sameh

1. Frankly I don't understand how the land area can be used as a contribution factor.

2. This $50 have been paid already? or is it a new contribution?

3. How can I access "Sanitation Evaluation conducted last year on our work in the Mekong Delta funded by AusAID" ?

Juergen

sanitation

By Peer Water Exchange Posted on Tue 28 Aug 2012, over 11 years ago

All,

I have created a link to the Sanitation Evaluation in Dien's comment above.

Rajesh