Red Cross Youth Link

I was successful in creating a Red Cross Youth Link with the St. Noah’s Vocational School. I have registered my organization as an official Red Cross Youth Link. This includes a plaque of authentication for the office and a membership for each student which, once registered, provides them with a year membership. The chairperson and spokesperson from St. Gonzaga, a neighboring school, came and registered the kids that attend the St. Noah’s Vocational School. During the registration, the youth were informed about what Red Cross does and what it means to be a member. This was followed by a vote among them to form an executive committee. It was gender balanced and democratic. The executive committee wrote a six page constitution and signed it along with two witnesses. A folder is kept that includes all the minutes of all the meetings and the constitution. As a Red Cross Youth Link they are required to have a project. They must all contribute some money towards the project. Once it is started, we can fill out a requisition form to the headquarters in Kampala and they will help with the funding. We had a meeting to vote on what projects they wanted to undertake. I have been facilitating the newly formed Red Cross Youth Link with their chosen projects which include: Re-introduce rabbits to the area of Lyantonde and the surrounding sub counties as well as an agricultural project by where they will grow three different types of crops, including passion fruit trees. I had to reiterate multiple times that this is not about money and receiving tangible things right away but it is the experience and education of getting to participate and take it home to teach others. Additionally, they need Red Cross tee-shirts. We came to the consensus that each student is to pay 2,000 USH and the rest of the money is going to be fundraised in August. They had one last meeting before break in which they discussed what is lacking at their school and what they need to do to fix it. They also conversed about the projects that they are going to undertake and performed a cost/benefit analysis. They talked in length about how to raise the money and how much everything is going to cost.

When brainstorming possible projects for the Red Cross Youth Link Members to undertake, I had the opportunity to explain to them that in America we work with our hands and raise animals the same way they do. The youth had been under the impression that in America, everything was done by machines and that we did not have to work. I was able to share with them that many people, especially in the state that I come from people do not have electricity, running water, or farm equipment. They were shocked by this and it started an interesting discussion forum.

Furthermore, I have found it difficult to motivate the Youth Link Committee as well. I have discovered that I have to train a patron to take over when I leave and the process of doing so has been difficult due to lack of motivation and communication barriers.


Additionally, we were able to obtain a signpost that was donated to us and the painting was done for free from a fellow Red Cross Youth Link Member who attends St. Gonzaga, a neighboring secondary school. We were then able to have a ceremony of posting it by the road! The signpost for the St. Noah’s Vocational School Red Cross Youth Link now sits comfortably at the end of the driveway to my organization for all who passes through to see.

NGO Network Forum Database

I will be creating an NGO Forum Database for the NGO Forum in Lyantonde. This project will investigate how the use of strategic communication in information networks is positively and negatively correlated with the success, or failure, of research and development projects within developing nations, in order to help formulate an integrative model that can further the success of development projects. Thus far, I have conducted the interviews with all of the NGOs and now have to type and configure the data. Once that is completed I can then begin the compilation process.

Additionally, at the next NGO Forum meeting, I will be presenting; educating those on the mission, vision, objectives, logo, application form, and the database itself. The members will vote and amend what is needed and from there they will sign up for interviews. Each organization is to fill out the form for the database and then I will come to go over it with them and write down additional information. Once every member has completed, I will compile the information into Access, a database software program. At the next NGO Forum meeting, I will be distributing the NGO database and afterward, the information will be compiled into Access.

Secondary Projects

I teach a life skills class 2 times a week at the St. Noah’s Vocational School. This class is entitled VIA (Vision in Action). The objective of this program is to highlight an effective method in preventing HIV/AIDS and promoting positive living within Lyantonde district by having the students share personal experiences and utilize an information network. The youth become the catalysts for change; a change that would manifest into a voice that would give the district the power of thought and of action. VIA includes people who are willing to be involved; ability to identify and access opportunities; leadership; moreover the capacity of the community will expand exponentially.

Thus far, I have conducted the following with my students:

-The bridge model and we discussed what we need to cross it. This is a visual tool to help convey behavior change. Information and knowledge verses action.

-We did a drama about a girl that has a friend that dropped out of school when she became pregnant and always advised her friend not to play sex without a condom and stay focused on school but the girl did anyway and became pregnant. We discussed this and how it relates to the bridge model/what the friend was missing. We went over the three categories of life skills and their sub categories.

-Overview of what bacteria, fungus, ameba, parasite, and viruses are.

-We went over the cell, nucleus and what DNA is and does. We then went over the immune system and its functions as well as what red and white blood cells are and their functions.

-Then went over the macrophage, the T4 Helper Cell, the B cell and the Killer cell and what they do. We discussed terms such as anti bodies and antigens. Then we talked about why HIV virus is different and getting tested and the window period for HIV to show up in the body and why; how the cells mutate from the virus.

-What opportunistic diseases are; the difference between HIV and AIDS. The treatment you can receive for HIV. Then we did the exercise where I got them into small groups and gave them pictures of people and had them guess which one had HIV and why.

-I taught HIV/AIDS Transmission and myths/facts about it. I told them about the test and what to expect. It was really funny because they did not know the anatomy of the other sex’s reproductive organs so I had to draw and explain it to them. Also, they did not know about oral sex so I had to explain that as well. There were many things that they thought to be true that were not, such as all gays had AIDS and that the rest of the world had AIDS because the Africans went there and gave it to other people.

Working with a vocational school as a secondary project is extremely challenging because: The students are only there for 2 years, they are orphans, most infected with HIV, most dropped out in Primary school therefore their English and education is limited, and the majority speak Runyankore where as I was trained in Luganda; therefore, I need a translator for everything.

It was extremely frustrating because I work with my students 2 hours a session twice a week. I have a translator that speaks both Luganda and Runyankore. I constantly ask if there are questions or if something needs clarification. I leave the notes up after class so that they may copy them. Before the exam I asked them questions straight from the test and those who were able to answer verbally were awarded extra credit. I had the translator there to answer any questions they could not read or did not understand. Despite all of the before mentioned, only 9 out of 44 passed. Those are just numbers, throughout the term I had boys tell me that even with the knowledge of AIDS and STI’s that they would still refrain from condom use because ‘it felt better’. I have had my girls tell me they would rather have AIDS than be pregnant because when a girl is pregnant she is ‘spoiled’ and is not physically attractive whereas when a girl has HIV/AIDS she can take free medicine to help it, people can’t tell you are sick and you can remain in school.

I can only hope that this term helps them to change their thought patterns and ultimately their behaviors.

As another secondary project, I am gong to be teaching a course entitled So What! This is going to be a student led class, from which they will chose the topics that they want to learn. The first one they chose was business. It went so well, they were all engaged and asked questions and kept up with what I had to say. We went over the following:
• The steps of starting a business
• What you want to sell- the product
• What supplies you will need for that product
o We did examples for mechanics, tailors and builders
o How much everything would cost and added it up
• How much your time is worth
• Market value: how much it is worth after the product is completed
• Market Research:
o What is the competition
o Asking people
o Is there a need
o Is there a want
o Is there a lot of that type of business already in the location
o Where you will sell
o Transportation costs
o Receipts and bookkeeping
• Profit Margin: what you make after expenses are accounted for
o High Profit: sell 1 of X for expensive
o Lower Profit: sell many of X for cheaper to sell fast
• Account for all expenses
o Employees/labor
o Land/rent
o Food
o Social
o Loans
o Transport
o Housing
• How to be competitive and network
• Savings
• Product + Time = Profit Margin
• Profit Margin – Expenses = Revenue

This term I am going to teach them how to conduct a feasibility study and SWOT analysis. After those tools are taught, they will be required to go to their village and write a report using all of the information listed above as a guideline. I feel that this will greatly benefit the students as they are at the school to learn a trait (woodworking, mechanics, tailoring and brick building). Many of them learn the skill needed but not how to master it in one’s own community.

Re-Usable Sanitary Pad Project

I successfully conducted a reusable sanitary pad workshop for twenty five girls under the age of eighteen who are HIV positive and orphaned. Before the workshop began, every girl was given a short questionnaire to fill out. Once this was completed, the workshop was set in motion. I had blocked out a three hour session for the girls; one to two hours of discussion and then an hour for the actual making of the pads. Our discussion lasted almost the full three hours. I discussed female anatomy, body changes and safe sexual practices. I had drawn a diagram of the uterus, what happens when a girl starts menstruating, as well as some common questions and their answers (like how to alleviate cramping, why do your breasts hurt, can you become pregnant on your period, etc.) They had so many questions and which led into discussion on masturbation and how to tell if a women or man is a virgin; thereafter, a question and answer session took place. The discussion went on so long that I was not able to start the actual making of the pads. I was very proud of the girls and was able to dispel many myths and misunderstandings that they beheld on the subject.

The following day I met with them again to construct the pads. As there were few follow up questions from the previous day, we were able to start almost immediately. After the questions were answered, the construction of the pads went underway. Each girl was given four pieces of material (23cm by 18cm). This material is the same used to make school uniforms. Each girl also received two buttons and two pieces of towel (20cm by 6cm) to use as inserts. Thread, needles, and scissors were not needed as I held the workshop at a vocational school where sewing machines were available along with those two items. Once the pads were completed, I briefly discussed hygiene and how to clean the pads. Additionally, I explained to the girls that it costs roughly 3,800 USH for one girl to make two shells with four to six inserts which will provide them with coverage for one to one and a half years whereas if they were to buy disposable sanitary pads every month they would spend over 45,000 USH. They worked meticulously and the process was slow but it went really well!! I showed them how to use the scraps to make the wings longer and I explained to them how to clean them and how to wear it and change the inserts. They did an excellent job. It was immensely gratifying to see them excited about something and how thankful they were towards me for helping them and spending time with them. I encouraged them all to use them over the break and to tell their family and friends about them.

I conducted a post survey of the sanitary pad project and all of feedback was very positive! All of the young women felt that the size of the pad was okay, as well as the thickness of the inserts and the type of materials used. They all proclaimed that they were able to share the idea of the pads with their families and community members. Furthermore, they all reported that they were able to share the information they had learned in the workshop about their bodies and how the menstrual cycle works. After collecting the post-surveys and conducting an open discussion with them about the process, I instructed them to do a SWOT analysis and feasibility study in order to see if it was practical to start this as an IGA in their communities. Overall, it was very successful and I feel that I learned just as much from them as they did from me!

The Infamous Dew Pond

On the first of April 2010 the Dew Pond was completed. This was a project that I undertook with 0 knowledge and 0 experiences. One reason why the Peace Corps is great: One can employ any project regardless of whether it may or may not work. One of the major projects that I have implemented and finished this quarter was a dew pond. The focus of this project is to equip the farm land with an experimental dew pond. A dew pond is an artificial pond usually sited on the top of a hill, intended for watering livestock, or in some cases to act as a water source for drinkable water. If built correctly, in theory, dew should collect on the surface of the water; thus, keeping the pond replenished even in the dry season. Dew ponds are used in areas where a natural supply of surface water may not be readily available. They usually are shallow, saucer-shaped, and lined with clay or cement, and banana leaves or bamboo shoots to insulate the bottom layer. To deter earthworms from their natural tendency of burrowing upwards, which in a short while would make the clay lining porous, a layer of soot would be incorporated. The clay is usually covered with the banana leaves or bamboo shoots to prevent cracking by the sun and, if necessary, a final layer of broken stone may be added to protect the lining from the hoofs of sheep or cattle, or a layer of plastic to help protect unwanted external materials to enter the body of water in an effort to keep the water clean and sanitary. The pond that we constructed is 9x9x5 and required two bags of cement, six bags of sand and a truck load of rocks. It is insulated with cement, along with a waterproofing additive, and large hard rocks. The cement and rocks have a high level of albedo, meaning that the rocks and cement do not absorb very much sunlight but actually reflect it; therefore, the water will be cooler than the surrounding earth allowing for the dew to collect on the surface of the water. We built a trench leading to the pond and insulated it with straw. We created two small pools with rocks to filter the water. Additionally, we built a fence around the pond with barbwire which we used from recycled material that was on the farm. The labor was free as the students came one to two days out of the week to work on the pond. The tools such as: Spades, hoes, shovels, jerry cans, and water were provided by RACOBAO.

In short, it is a 9x9x5 hole in the ground that is insulated with hard rock and cement (with a water proofing agent additive). The point of this is for the pond to be cooler than the surrounding earth so that it will release the heat absorbed throughout the day quickly so that dew can then form on the water surface; thus, replenishing the pond in the dry season. It is a replica of the ponds built in England; as the climate here is very different this is an experiment. Nonetheless, a great experience for the students!

Upon implementing the dew pond project, I encountered many challenges. The first was that of a communication setback. I was under the false pretence that my co worker, in charge of the farm, had informed the youth that attend the vocational school about the dew pond, what it is used for, what they would be doing work wise, etc. I was wrong. Unbeknownst to me, they were told to merely come and dig. In addition, I found out that they thought I had paid my co worker and he was not paying them. The youth also thought that I had money because I am white and American. The youth kept asking me for money while they were digging and, of course, that upset me greatly as this was an opportunity for them as well as a practicum. I found out later from another teacher that the youth felt that I was taking advantage of them because they were orphans. I was greatly disconcerted and immediately spoke to my counterpart. She instructed the headmaster to come with me to speak with the youth. After explaining the goals of the project, their roles and how they would benefit from the dew pond their attitudes changed immensely and we were able to move forward positively.

Another challenge I encountered with this project was motivating the women to come and cement the interior of the pond. There is a newly employed teacher at the Lyantonde Vocational School that used to be a student there herself. She was the only girl that participated in mechanics and carpentry, while the girls usually participate in the tailoring program. She was highly honored for her outstanding work as a student that upon graduation the staff of RACOBAO asked her to come teach brick building. After hearing of this, I had high hopes that with a role model it would motivate the women to work outside their prescribed social stereotypes. So when the opportunity presented itself, I was disheartened that none of the girls came to cement- it was only the boys. When I asked the teacher why none of the girls came, she relayed the message that the girls thought this type of work was only for boys and the activity did not interest them. This was an eye opening experience for me and even though it was a challenge, it shed light on the fact that my attention needs to be directed in this area; thus, allowing me to pursue more projects of this circumstance.

Another major challenge that I encountered with the dew pond was working with men. I was well aware of how they view women in Uganda and women in general, but had not yet experienced any negative interactions. Most of the encounters throughout the entirety of the construction of the dew pond were small; but nonetheless, frustrating and infuriating. When sharing my ideas and notions with my male co workers, they constantly told me that they would not work when I knew for a fact that they would. In trying to explain my logic to them I was ignored or talked over. Moreover, I was told that men are stronger than women; in consequence, a heated debate took place thereafter. However, this was turned around after a male Peace Corps Volunteer and his counterpart came to help me with a section of the pond. My fellow volunteer constantly encouraged the women to come help and insisted that the girls participate. He was adamant that the newly formed water committee be gender balanced. His counterpart discouraged this in front of all the youth, saying that the work was only for boys but the volunteer held his ground and stood up for the girls. I was utterly grateful and saw a major change afterwards from my male co workers and the male youth.

Now that it is finished, the trial begins!

UPDATE:

It is now September of 2010 and the pond has not been collecting water. I would like to blame the weather as the rainy season has been sporadic. There is also the problem of keeping the grass down and building a fence. A water committee had been formed and has continued to go to the site to maintain the area (slashing grass, fixing the fence, removing and covering the plastic sheets, etc.). They are supposed to report back to the rest of the school in monthly meetings about the pond and its progress; this often leads to a discussion about what is missing or what still needs to be done. However, I am having a difficult time motivating the water committee. They are not following up on their duties nor are they informing me of issues regarding the pond. I need to have consecutive meetings with them in order to make this sustainable.

Life Skills Workshop

On November 16th, 2009, a co-worker of mine and I went to 5 primary schools within one of eight sub counties with the intent of finding one school to host a life skills talk show forum. After we found one school to host the event, we traveled to four other primary schools to inquire whether or not they were interested in participating. All four schools all said 'yes'. We then asked each school to choose 10 students (5 boys and 5 girls) along with one teacher to represent the school and participate in this workshop.

On November 20th, 2009, we conducted the workshop. The main purpose of this training was for the children to talk to each other about the skills that they use in every day life to make healthy, proactive decisions. Each school had compiled a form of presentation for this training; therefore, each school had a turn in presenting information. The first school conducted a mock/role play where the moderator asked questions regarding life, AIDS and safety to the different characters, who took on the roles of LC's (Local Council), teachers, church figures, parents, police and so on. Each character answered in the appropriate manner. Another school presented a short song. One school offered a beautiful spoken word/song expounding that they are the youth of the nation and how much their safety means to them. This presentation in particular made me cry it was so touching. The other two schools shared small skits. After the schools were finished presenting, RACOBAO put forth three small skits and had a discussion regarding peer pressure. I drew a diagram of the bridge model and asked the children to contribute appropriate behaviors in order to successfully cross the bridge.

It was made quite apparent that these children were bright and eager to make their footprints in the world; however, it also depended my understanding that while these children might already embody vital information regarding safe life decisions, that with time, opportunities will arise that will change the perspectives of the youth. So while my organization and I were able to provide these children with a forum for which they could learn, I have discovered that it is going to take a lot more than sporadic workshops to instill a positive and proactive change within the community.

Project Proposals

So, the following are the projects that I have presented and discussed with my organization. The demo of the Dew Pond is already half way finished!! I will write more on that at a later date. Next week RACOBAO is becoming an official Youth Link member through partnership with Red Cross so I will be commenting on that at a later date as well. I will be traveling to Mbale tomorrow morning through Tuesday to volunteer in an effort to help the landslide victims. Peace Love and Green M&M's:

BRIDGE FINANCING INITIATIVE


- A modified bridge loan is a method of temporary financing used to maintain liquidity while awaiting an expected cash flow.


- It is a short term loan that grants small amounts of money.


- It may be closed: having a predetermined time frame.


- It may be open: meaning that there is no fixed pay off date.


- The purpose of this loan is to offer starting capital to a small business or to IGA projects.


- The long term goal of this loan is to act as an initial ‘start up’. The contracted funds should be used to purchase all materials needed for the project. Once the project begins yielding a return, a portion of that money should be given to the lender until the full amount is repaid. After the money has been fully restored to the lender, all earnings accrued thereafter will belong to the recipient of the loan.


- A bridge loan is high risk; therefore, the following stipulations must be integrated in order to secure a timely return:

-High interest rate

-Collateral (used as security and is legally signed over)**

EXAMPLE: A farmer desires to pioneer a maize plantation; however, he needs money to buy the seeds, farming equipment, more land, etc. RACOBAO would grant him a small loan in order to purchase these required items. The farmer would sign a legally binding document stating that he will pay back X amount of money by X date. Additionally, the farmer will sign over the rights of his land, a cow, or something similar of value as collateral; therefore, if the full amount is not repaid, then RACOBAO will have a cow or land in place of the unreturned money. Ideally, the farmer would repay the full amount and, in turn, have a lucrative business from which he is now acquiring a steady income.

SIDE NOTES:

§ A criterion would have to be created to act as a guideline for any loan given.

§ The lender should have to provide proof that the project has the potential to yield return and is sustainable.

§ Every circumstance is different; therefore, the financing should be flexible.

§ This type of initiative will help the community by offering enterprising individuals the chance to ‘own responsibility’. Loans, when utilized correctly, instill a sense of ownership to the project or endeavor pursued by the individual.

§ Additionally, initiatives such as this can help RACOBAO steer away from donor dependency.


IGA WATER ENTERPRISE

1) Rain Harvesting Project:

The focus of this project would be to equip X amount of community leaders with the supplies needed to have their own rain catchment systems. RACOBAO would endow the selected members with the materials needed in order to create this water system. In partnership with RACOBAO, additional members of the community would be selected to buy water from the chosen community leader for the same price that one normally would pay to retrieve water from the nearest water source. This small circle would buy exclusively from the selected leader; in turn, creating a local water source and an IGA. An agreement would be made that the local leader(s) chosen will pay RACOBAO back for the cost of materials to build the system. After the debt has been paid, those leaders will benefit through a profit from those who use his/her water source.

a. OVERVIEW

i. Area can be selected after scrutinizing the following:

§ Distance from the nearest water source

§ Reliability of the entrepreneur(s)

§ The degree of need for a water source

§ Asset (human and monetary) availability

ii. Supplies needed (monetary):

§ A gutter system (preferably plastic)

§ Barrels to catch the water

§ A security system (pad locks/chains)

iii. Supplies needed (human):

§ A reliable entrepreneur(s)

§ A reliable and constant partnership with community members (numbers may vary)

b. LIMITATIONS

i. The leaders could choose to be dishonest and keep the water only for themselves.

ii. Thieves could steal the barrels or parts from the system.

iii. There is a possibility that community members would not stay loyal to the leader; inevitably resulting in no profit.

iv. Too many people would want to buy from the chosen leader; hence, producing a shortage of water.

c. BENEFITS

i. A lucrative business and IGA opportunity

ii. Community ownership

iii. Convenience

iv. Development of a new water source

2) Dew Ponds

The focus of this project would be to equip certain areas with Dew Ponds. A dew pond is an artificial pond usually sited on the top of a hill, intended for watering livestock, or in some cases to act as a water source for drinkable water. Dew ponds are used in areas where a natural supply of surface water may not be readily available. They usually are shallow, saucer-shaped, and lined with clay or cement, and banana leaves or bamboo shoots to insulate the bottom layer. To deter earthworms from their natural tendency of burrowing upwards, which in a short while would make the clay lining porous, a layer of soot would be incorporated. The clay is usually covered with the banana leaves or bamboo shoots to prevent cracking by the sun and, if necessary, a final layer of broken stone may be added to protect the lining from the hoofs of sheep or cattle, or a layer of plastic to help protect unwanted external materials to enter the body of water in an effort to keep the water clean and sanitary.

a. REPLENISHMENT

i. There is some controversy surrounding the means of which the pond is replenished. Some of the arguments are as follows:

§ Experiments conducted in 1885 to determine the origin of the water found that dew forms not from dampness in the air but from moisture in the ground directly beneath the site of the condensation: dew, therefore, was ruled out as a source of replenishment.

§ Other scientists have pointed out that the 1885 experiments failed to take into account the insulating effect of the straw and the cooling effect of the damp clay: the combined effect would be to keep the pond at a lower temperature than the surrounding earth, and thus be able to condense a disproportionate share of moisture

§ In turn, these conclusions were disproved in the 1930s, when it was pointed out that the heat-retaining quality of water (its thermal capacity) is many times greater than that of earth; and therefore, the air above a pond in summer would be the last place to attract condensation.

§ However, while equal controversy regarding the means of replenishment exists, a note of importance is that in a multitude of dew ponds used around the world, especially in England, 'People have noticed that they rarely run dry, even in the hottest summer, and it is apparent that, during the night, they receive a supply of water sufficient to counter-balance the great drags that are made upon them by cattle and evaporation,' notes Edward Martin, in a research paper entitled Dew Ponds: History, Observation and Experiment.

3) Budget

a. Contingent upon a case by case basis

4) Summary of the IGA Water Enterprise

a. Limitations:

i. Lack of community mobilization

ii. Lack of community commitment

iii. Lack of appropriate funding

iv. Lack of sufficient water consistency

b. Benefits:

i. The potential for income to be generated

ii. Community ownership and sense of camaraderie

iii. RACOBAO helping the community by breaking the Aid Dependency Cycle

iv. The opportunity to incorporate health and sanitation education to rural communities

v. Through monitoring and evaluation, the positive effects of these projects can be reported to help gain additional funding from outside donors


VIA: VISION IN ACTION- A LIFE SKILLS WORKSHOP


What is the goal of this project?

The national average of HIV/AIDS is purported to be 6.4%; however, in the district of Lyantonde that number is substantially higher with a prevalence rate of 12%. Furthermore, there are pockets within the 8 sub counties that RACOBAO works with that report numbers as high as 24% by those infected with HIV/AIDS due to risky cultural practices. After attending countless community and staff meetings, conducting community based needs assessments, as well as one on one interviews with community members I feel that the efforts put forth by RACOBAO to help lower the percentage of those affected by HIV/AIDS could be amplified if there were more adequate methods of information sharing- since many villages members are unaware that the pandemic exists let alone the repercussions of the disease. Therefore, the primary goal of this project would be to create a program called VIA (Vision in Action). VIA would be a multifaceted workshop conducted at the Vocational school that would include: a creative writing club, life skills training, sexual education, youth empowerment, home based care and strategic advocacy skills training.


What are the objectives of this project? List the principal tasks you and the community group will undertake to reach your objectives.


Objectives:

* To empower youth and reinforce the sense of self; most of whom are child headed households.
* To instill within the youth vital knowledge and skills that can then be shared through testimonials, dramas, etc. this will reduce new infections among persons living within Lyantonde district.
* To promote responsible health behavior in order to improve adherence and accessibility to information regarding HIV/AIDS.
* Strengthen the information network stratagem in a consorted effort to increase effective communication skills to enhance capacity building techniques and sustainable initiatives.

Tasks:

* Each student will write their life story in a private journal; this method will be therapeutic and will allow them to develop and improve their English skills.
* Life skills: peer pressure, gender roles, the importance of healthy friendships, self esteem, health awareness, and sexual education.
* Advocacy efforts (theory and practicum): In order to comply with the behavioral change communication strategies, communication skills in areas such as: nonverbal, public speaking, persuasion, interpersonal, cross-cultural, relational, communication in media and group communication will be taught


How does this project contribute to building skills and capacity within the community?

The effective method in preventing HIV/AIDS within the Lyantonde district is by the sharing of personal experiences and information networking. Most often capacity is defined by skills, knowledge and ability; all of which the youth who participate in this project would learn and promote to others throughout the surrounding sub counties. The youth would be the catalysts for change; a change that would manifest into a voice that would give the district the power of thought and of action. The heart of capacity building is the people. By beginning a perpetual cycle of information sharing through VIA, the knowledge attained by the community members will then saturate various aspects of an individual’s life; thus, the citizens who are positively affected by the imperative information regarding HIV/AIDS will then lead healthy lives. These healthy lives will foster a healthy community from which the creation of healthy environments will encourage healthy economies and sustainable development. VIA will include people who are willing to be involved; ability to identify and access opportunities; leadership; moreover the capacity will expand exponentially.


How will the community be able to sustain the activities and or benefits of this activity?

Communication is a complex, interminable process that provides the fundamental groundwork for developing information systems for the advancement of socio-economic development. As communication is subject to interpretive analysis, it becomes a transactional process that is established through contextual factors; therefore, behavior change will be cultivated. Understanding the dynamics of effective communication networking is crucial to the success of information systems and the role that they play in the outcome of development projects. Those who participate in VIA will learn and be able to identify the importance of appealing to their target audience in an effort to encourage positive change. Sustainability is obtained by ensuring community responsibility which can be achieved through community participation in decision making and control from the beginning of the project. Therefore, I will be training facilitators and immobilizers from within the target community who will be able to teach the materials to the youth. Long term goals, transparency, and constant monitoring practices will be employed as well.


NGO FORUM DATABASE


Database Overview: This project will investigate how the use of strategic communication in information networks is positively and negatively correlated with the success, or failure, of research and development projects within developing nations, in order to help formulate an integrative model that can further the success of development projects. Communication is a complex, interminable process that provides the fundamental groundwork for developing information systems for the advancement of socio-economic development. As communication is subject to interpretive analysis, it becomes a transactional process that is established through contextual factors. Understanding the dynamics of effective communication is an exhausting and ongoing practice; yet, that understanding is crucial to the success of information systems and the role that they play in the outcome of development projects. The effect of integrated information networks, which link all major components of an organization together, often ultimately poses serious challenges to the success of research and development projects. Whether a project is deemed a failure, a partial failure, or a success, the feature of sustainability still must be viewed with equal, if not supreme, importance than that of its initial implementation. This requires understanding the dynamic equilibrium of managing sustainability and change, as well as regulating boundary control. Therefore, the goal of this project is to develop an integrative database that encompasses the NGO’s that participate in the Lyantonde NGO Forum.


Components of the Database:

Ø NGO Name

Ø How many years the NGO has been in existence

Ø Assets

o Monetary

o Human/Community

Ø Projects

o Completed

o In Progress

o Future

Ø Outcome of Projects

o Success

o Partial

o Failure

Ø WHY?

Ø Funding/Budget

Ø Location of Peoples Worked With

Ø Challenges

Ø Action Plans

Ø Strategies

Ø Designated Roles

Benefits:

* All NGO’s will have a communication network in which they can utilize in order to optimize their capacity building.
* Each NGO will be able to better identify their needs and more effective ways in which they can then fulfill them.
* Staff can be strategically exploited.
* Identity and awareness can be better recognized.
* Infrastructure can be strengthened.
* Funding can be optimized.
* Adjust organization as needed to increase efficiencies, expand capabilities and enhance performance, e.g. through board and staff restructurings.
* A more effective means of evaluating and monitoring can be created.

Limitations:

* Weak finances.
* Resources stretched too thin.
* When working with a dependent community it is difficult to transition to a catalyst position.

SIDENOTES:

o The goal of every successful NGO is to work themselves out of a jobhttp://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=308908503709639360
o An organization cannot overwhelm itself; they must be realistic in their projects and complete them in a quality manner- not quantity.
o Previous research has shown that the epidemic of AIDS is more readily cured through a behavioral change method; one, that in theory, offers individuals adequate information about the virus but, most importantly, initiative to have an improved quality of life.
o Outsourcing is vital components for every NGO- has a steady information flow from the rest of the developing world.
o Breaking the dependency cycle of a country is an obligation that every NGO has to adopt as a priority.
o Be realistic about how much time you want to give you NGO; taking on projects beyond the comfortable limits will not yield much benefits in the long run.


RABBIT PROJECT: TAKE TWO


The Rabbit Project:

The focus of this project is to re-introduce rabbits to the area of Lyantonde and the surrounding sub counties. RACOBAO has functional rabbit hatches already in existence; therefore, the initial cost of starting this project is minimal. Once the mother rabbit(s) are reproducing at an appropriate rate, the feed, water and miscellaneous aspects are taken into account and mastered, RACOBAO would then choose one sub county to start working with. RACOBAO would assist a designated farmer from a sub county to host the rabbit project by aiding the construction of the rabbit hutches, educating the farmer on the importance of maintenance as well as proper execution and preparation of the rabbits. Once the farmer is trained, RACOBAO would provide a mother and father rabbit along with X amount of offspring to start this endeavor. Community members would then go to the designated farmer to buy the rabbits at a low cost for consumption or to begin breeding the rabbits themselves.

a. OVERVIEW

The Rabbit

§ The average rabbit is 3-4 pounds (2 kilos)

§ One mother rabbit can produce more than 200 offspring per year

§ 1oz (28grams) of rabbit has:


-40 calories


-0 fat


-6 grams of protein


-Iron 2%


-Zinc 4%


-Vitamin B-6 8%


-Vitamin B-12 35%


-Niacin 10%


-Phosphorus 6%

§ 16oz = 1 lb which is 64oz


-384 grams of protein per rabbit


-512% of Vitamin B-6 per rabbit


-2240% of Vitamin B-12 per rabbit

b. BENEFITS

i. Nutrition:

§ Vitamin B6 also helps maintain your blood glucose (sugar) within a normal range. When caloric intake is low your body needs vitamin B6 to help convert stored carbohydrate or other nutrients to glucose to maintain normal blood sugar levels. Additionally, studies show that a vitamin B6 deficiency can decrease your antibody production and suppress your immune response. Your body needs vitamin B6 to make hemoglobin. Hemoglobin within red blood cells carries oxygen to tissues. Vitamin B6 also helps increase the amount of oxygen carried by hemoglobin. A vitamin B6 deficiency can result in a form of anemia that is similar to iron deficiency anemia.

§ Vitamin B12 plays a key role in the normal functioning of the brain and nervous system, and for the formation of blood. It is normally involved in the metabolism of every cell of the body, especially affecting DNA synthesis and regulation, but also fatty acid synthesis and energy production. Vitamin B12 deficiency can potentially cause severe and irreversible damage, especially to the brain and nervous system. Pernicious anemia is characterized by a triad of symptoms: Anemia, gastrointestinal symptoms and neurological symptoms.

§ Lack of Niacin commonly results in Pellagra. The symptoms include the following: High sensitivity to sunlight, aggression, dermatitis, glossitis, skin lesions, insomnia, weakness, mental confusion, paralysis of extremities, diarrhea and eventually dementia.

§ Rabbit also contains high amounts of zinc; which combined with Vitamin A, account for 1 million of the world’s leading causes of malnutrition.

§ They are low maintenance; small amounts of water, grass and fruits are needed for survival.

§ Demonstrations must be given and sanitation, general health and nutrition must be included.

c. LIMITATIONS

i. The members of the community could be reluctant to try something new.

ii. If proper measures are not taken, the safety and health of the rabbits could be threatened; thus, the project would not be successful.

iii. If the rabbits were to escape into the wild and reproduce without a natural predator present, the community could face the problem of overpopulation.

d. BUDGET

i. The initial cost of each rabbit to start the project is 5,000ush

ii. The cost of rabbit hutches varies depending upon the local resources available.

iii. The cost of food and water is contingent on availability.