A team of Bank staff and clients participated in the study tour to Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and India to develop cross regional partnerships in order to integrate indigenous knowledge and practices into East African Projects through knowledge sharing and learning exchange. As part of the cross-country exchange, the team visited MYRADA, in Mysore India. MYRADA’s mission is to encourage a process of ongoing change in favor of the rural poor by enabling them to build and manage appropriate and innovative local level institutions rooted in values of justice, equity and mutual support. Their core strategy is based on the belief that enabling people to build up experience in governance by managing their own institutions is a major factor contributing to their empowerment. Over 1500 volunteers trained in health care, animal husbandry, forestry, literacy and other relevant areas, provide services in project areas.
This video can be viewed in its entirety or via short video clips sorted along themes (blue underlined) which emerged during the debriefing. This debriefing was organized by the Knowledge and Learning Group as part of AFTQK's knowledge sharing and learning services. Suleiman Namara and the Bank team facilitated and conducted the debriefing on June 20, 2004.
Introduction by Christine Kamwendo (4:17 min). Activities at Myrada that worked well include: i). giving voices to the youth ii). not using turn-key solutions for each community - each village is differrent based on its own socio-economic dynamics iii). Systematic and well-articulated process is required iv). Contracting with skilled labor was very effective
Input from the Group (2:04 min).
Diversification of Activities. Lessons learned at Myrada for Fitsum Gebrekidan showed that diversification and differrent groups engaged in differrent activities is one method that is able to ensure food security.
Self- Help Affinity Groups. SHG's based on affinity facilitate the development of trust in working relationships.
Watershed Management Techniques. TASAF or MASAF could use this in their natural resources management approach in combination with elements of public works, "building structures that are long-term investments that do botr provide short-term returns".
Clear Exit Strategy (53 sec). i). we don't want to be in the position of implementation or controlling funding ii). It is important to develop linkages within the private sector iii) a participatory approach should be taken as an example.
Input from the Group, Part Two. (1:36 min).
Microfinance. (29 sec). The finances from business activities are able to then finance social issues.
Adaptations Derived from Myrada. "Everything we have learned at Myrada can be taken back home, with some adaptation" (1:08 min).
Malawian Inputs. Based on lessons learned from Myrada, the MASAF group plans to improve their model for community savings. They would like to revisit the project cycle, as well as most of the related activities (1:09 min)
Specifics we Can take Home? i). Re-organize those aspects of SEWA, Myrada and other groups visited on tour can be used as a check-list for differrent areas for replication. ii). Make an assessment of our situation iii) Re-visit technical arrangements and TOR (1:17 min).
Integration and Strengthening of Planning Activities. "We will try to integrate and strengthen our planning in our activities, not only concentrate on the economic component (1:12 min).
Local-Level Instiution-Building and Linkages. We will want to strengthen networks and linkages between the formal and informal institutionsand also pursue flexible targeting (57 sec).
Additional Remarks. (2:11 min).
Appropriate Technology at the Grassroots Level. For use at the grassroots level, and mainatained and produced at that level. An example is the unique mechnics used for producing oil from oil seed used at Myrada. Oil crushing technology such as this can be used for various oil seeds: cocunut, sunflower, soya bean, etc (1:11 min).
Skills of Community Social Workers and Facilitators. We need to ask whether they have the appropriate skills. Not just in social work, but in business, marketing, technology. There are few of these skills here. This is a critical area (1:06 min).
What Did the East African Teams Give Back? To build on the contact we have had at the organizations we have visited, there will also be follow-up and networking initiated at the end of the tour in order to sustain and build those relationships. There was an exchange of information at the wrap-up meeting for Myrada. Valuable information on HIV/AIDS and the East African experienece was provided, as well as sharing of the recent publication: IK for Development (3:24 min).
Suggested Areas of Improvement for Tour Coordination/Facilitation (1:47 min).
Coordination and Logistics. (1:43 min).
RSS