Various

By Boda Boda Initiatives Posted on Thu 23 Jul 2009, almost 17 years ago

Congratulations Safer Future Youth Development Project (SFYDP for job well done in provision of safe drinking water to schools and the community in Sierra Leone.

Kindly clarify on the following points:

• We have noted that your Community members are involved in the construction and totally responsible for the maintenance after completion. If this is so, how come you are requesting US$ 13,057 for wells maintenance? You could also cut costs by borrowing some working tools from the community such as jerry cans, shovels, pick axes, tape measures etc.
• Your communities are also trained in the correct utilisation of the water source, informed about hygienic standards as well as water chlorination through workshops where the awareness of the entire community is guaranteed. We have noted that during the maintenance training, hygiene and sanitation principles will also be taught where you will also train the participants in different household water-treatment methods. We were expecting an item in your budget to take care of capacity building, or are all the people well trained?
• How do you do monitoring and evaluation to asses the impact of your water programs?
• Comment more on how you undertake community mobilization.
• How do you impart community ownership of the water projects?
• The community contribution of only US$3,700 is rather low compared to your total budget. Are you sure that you have included the opportunity costs incurred by the community when attending capacity building sessions?

Various

By Safer Future Youth Development Project Posted on Mon 27 Jul 2009, almost 17 years ago

Thanks Beatrice.

* Before our intervention in any of the communities, we do hold series of meetings to know exactly their priority among items of problems they want to see addressed and what contributions they could offer in terms of labour, materials etc. It is based on what they have and can offer that we prepare our budget.

* We did not include cost on our household water treatment training because it could be done without extra cost and the essence of the training is not just to train them about the technology but to create the awareness within the communities in taking the lead after having the knowledge without any external intervention.
This system is in its pilot phase. Let us see if it works well or else we will include cost as support for future projects.

* Monitoring is done collectively with a committee that is set up by the community with a representative of all stakeholders(The youth, elders, women, and the local administration council). Safer Future after completion of any of its projects pays alternative visits within a period of one year and at the end develop a questionnaire which could be used together with the setup committee to evaluate what impact has been created over the years taking cognizance of their previous status before the intervention in the community.

* In community mobilization a thorough survey is done using stakeholders representing each community to assess and identify their felt needs through holding of meetings and the involvement of the people in all decision making, planning unto implementation stages.

*Total involvement of the community people in the planning and implementation of our water projects through a setup committee with 75% representation from the community,instilled in them total ownership. A team of young people selected by the community are trained for the repairs and maintenance of our community water points through the community management committee and the local council from funds raised as contribution for maintenance and repairs.

* On community contribution, it was based on only what they could offer exclusive of opportunity cost in the attendance of capacity building sessions. There are lots of sacrifices done by the project and the community whose cost are not included simply because they are indirect cost that could not hamper the implementation.
However, we will try to include such costs in similar future projects for the benefit of the community.

Thanks.

Wells

By A Single Drop Posted on Wed 29 Jul 2009, almost 17 years ago

Hi Idriss

Great to read about your project! I always have a soft spot for projects engaging youth!

Thanks Beatrice for really comprehensive questions. Doesn't leave much for the rest of us!

- I was wondering, do you have to hire outside contractors to drill wells? If so, are there local ones or do they have to come from another region? Are they deep or shallow wells?

- is there an existing entity in the community that will be in charge of the system, or are you creating one?

- Can you tell me the average income of the community? Is 300 affordable? How did you come up with the costing? How many people must pay monthly in order for this project to be sustainable? How will you collect fees? Who will be in charge of the finances? Is it an organization that will be developed in the community? Already existing? Members of SFYDP?

thanks! Good luck!
gemma

Wells

By Safer Future Youth Development Project Posted on Fri 07 Aug 2009, almost 17 years ago

Thanks Gemma.

*In some communities, there are already existing structures except for those without, we will have to guide them establish one and sensitize them on how to manage the systems. The sensitization we can do in all communities even when there is an existing one already.

* The average income per person (per day) in the communities is Le 5,000(USD1.61). So they can afford paying the Le, 300(10 cents).
- The cost is from the beneficiary communities through a ballot system if there are differences in the suggested fees.
- Contributions from half of the number of beneficiaries in each community can be enough to sustain the project in their locality.
-Fees are collected by the financial secretary of each village committee in cash or kind either daily or monthly as agreed by communities.
-The treasurer in each established village committee will be in charge of finances collected.

Phases

By Tanzania Mission to the Poor and Disabled (PADI) Posted on Fri 07 Aug 2009, almost 17 years ago

Dear Idris are the following are Phases or activities?
1) Survey and selection of villages and schools
2) Construction and repairs of water-wells
3) Maintenance Training and commissioning of water-wells

Phases

By Safer Future Youth Development Project Posted on Sat 08 Aug 2009, almost 17 years ago

Thanks Iskaka.
It was a mistake. It should be three of our activities.
Thank you.
Idriss