Operation friendship vocational skills training project

PES, consisting of a facesheet only, covers the period 8/79-9/83 and summarizes an attached special evaluation (XD-AAR-399-A), based on a review of both documents and trainee questionnaires, and on interviews with administrative personnel. Lessons learned are: (1) Both Operation Friendship and USAID/J worked together as a team in order to effect successful implementation of the project. The project proved that the PVO sector in Jamaica offers an alternative to government-sponsored programs. (2) There are few absolute principles or rigid formulae that can serve as guides to PVO projects. Each PVO that is financed has its own unique features which must be taken into consideration. (3) A successful replication of this project is largely dependent upon identification of an energetic, committed, and effective organizer. Based on project experience, it is recommended that USAID/J develop a proposal format that will not intimidate local private voluntary organizations, but would be flexible enough to encompass their ideas and simultaneously incorporate general A.I.D. guidelines.