Save the Children Federation (SCF) : project completion report (615-0217)

In the area of training systems, the project conducted 6 workshops - 3 in CBIRD methodology for CDA"s, 2 in baseline data collection, and one in child-centered strategy. The project also hired a training coordinator, provided job training to 19 CDA"s and 5 home craft assistants, and printed CDA training manuals. In the area of management systems, the project trained DCD staff, as well as a Community Development Officer (CDO) and his assistant, held two workshops for village development committees (VDC"s), and helped VDC"s establish community data banks and recordkeeping systems; archives now exist in 20 villages. In the area of information management, the project collected baseline data using child-centered indicators in 6 key North Bank Division (NBD) villages and organized a trainer of trainers workshop in which Ministry personnel participated. Forty-two village-identified self-help projects, monitored by 176 CDA"s, were successfully implemented in 27 NBD villages; 11 others were partially successful, while 5 were unsuccessful and 7 are being completed. Monthly meetings of CDA"s, the SCF training coordinator/project officer, and the CDO addressed problems caused by the large numbers of activities and subordinates scattered throughout a large area. With help from an A.I.D. Matching Grant which began in 1/85, a village food production program was designed and is now operational in a new impact area. CDA"s and CDO"s expressed a great deal of dissatisfaction over the lack of coordination between governmental and nongovernmental agencies. This is especially true at the national level, where few efforts are being made to enact policy that would encourage agencies to coordinate. Finally, a system is needed to formally document lessons learned and to disseminate this information at the directorate level for the benefit of CDA"s.