In the year 2002 the coverage of basic social services
such as education, health, and water supply, as well as their quality
was far below the standards set by the regional government of Oromia.
To curb the major problems in the region, Oromia Development Association
being one of the strategic development partner of the government established
partnership with A-Glimmer of Hope Foundation.
In the years (2002 and 2005) ODA had worked in partnership with A-Glimmer
of Hope Foundation, it bear fruits and the relationship has benefited
the rural poor. In these four years, ODA managed to build 27 standard
elementary schools, 31 health posts, and 4 veterinary clinics, 4 deep
water wells with 3 water distribution systems and 600 hand-dug wells.
In addition ODA has facilitated the distribution of emergency food
aid donated by A Glimmer of Hope to 80000 compatriots during the 2004/5
drought years.
On the other hand interventions made on basic services such as water,
education, health and agriculture during (2002-2005) have benefited
528,688 needy rural people who would otherwise been constrained to
a great extent by absence of these basic social needs. During this
period ODA has passed through different learning processes, successes
and challenges. These experiences are useful for ODA and the partner
organization.
This report presents the salient features of Project implementation
strategies, major activities, achievements and budget utilization
challenges and lessons learnt by sectors during the years (2002—2005).
PROJECT OBJECTIVES
The general objective of the projects was to improve
access and quality of basic social services in Oromia region
Specific Objectives
To create access to universal education for 15,196 school age children
in targeted 27 villages 2005
To improve the teaching and learning condition of one senior secondary
school by furnishing with chairs and desks by end of 2004
To create primary health care access to 162,549 rural populations
(especially mothers and children) living in 31 villages by 2004
To improve the health condition of animals found in 4 villages of
Oromia by Water supply
To create access to potable water for 215,943 rural population in
6 zones and 19 woredas by 2005
pROJECT tARGET GROUPS
The target groups of these programs during the year
2002-2005 were rural people living in 14 selected zones and 56 districts/woredas
across the region with particular emphasis on rural women (in health
& water), children (in health, education & water) and the
new settlers in Wallaga (education and health) and additionally drought
stricken areas on emergency basis.
iMPLEMENTATION STRATEGIES
The project sites and the needy communities were identified,
initially by reviewing secondary data from regional coverage statistics
of education, health and water sectors. The initial assessment was
followed by series of discussions with regional, zonal and warada
sector bureau offices to align project objectives with their plans.
Accordingly, areas that couldn’t be covered by government program
were considered by ODA after the commitments of the line offices were
obtained and their roles identified during implementation and beyond
to ensure sustaining the intended project objectives.
With the solicited commitment of the government, the Association
conducted further discussions with the community to identify and prioritize
issues and to determine and agree up on their roles and responsibilities.
So the inception of program/project planning, as a matter of procedure,
begins with the identification of the neediest community started with
the analysis of regional coverage statistics of the given sectors
(education, health or water). This initial assessment was followed
by discussion with the communities to identify their priorities and
determine and agree upon the role they have to play. This is the established
procedure by which the program/project proposal formulated and submitted
to A Glimmer of Hope to solicit fund.
Once ODA secured funds, agreements were signed with the regional bureaus
(education, health), so that the government would be responsible to
take over and run the constructed facilities (schools or clinics)
by assigning the necessary personnel and budget to ensure the provision
of improved services to the target communities.
rOLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF STAKEHOLDERS
1. ODA
Community mobilization (sensitizing and organizing the community)
to enable them engage actively in the planning, implementation and
monitoring and evaluation. This enabled to explore and tap the community
potential in cost sharing, decision making and project ownership
Preparing specifications, floating bids, selecting contractors
and awarding works in collaboration with partner government line
offices,
Monitoring and supervising the construction works in order to
ensure the desired and agreed upon standards and qualities are met;
and completion of projects in time as per the agreement;
Undertake the necessary software activities, such as procurement
of services that guarantee sustainability of the project.
Hand over the completed project to either community or responsible
government line office for sustainable provision of the required
services.
Submission of reports to donor and appropriate government offices
on the work accomplished and results/impacts obtained.
2.COMMUNITY
Fully be engaged in the process of planning, monitoring and evaluation
Handle local purchases
Mobilize the resources needed from the community such as labor,
material and finance
Take over and manage the project after completion