End of Project Evaluation for ATJK WEHEA II, ADRA Ethiopia

Background:
During a needs assessment for WEHEA I that was carried out in March 2008 in the ATJK Woreda, it was established that there was need to intervene in water, education, health and the environment. School infrastructure was poor, the population lacked basic health care services, firewood collection caused degradation of the vegetation and, most critically, water shortage took its toll on the health of the people. WEHEA I and II projects were designed to build on the capacity of the villagers, using an integrated approach in addressing the areas of water, education, health and environmental awareness. This final report evaluates the ATJK Water, Education, Health and Environmental Awareness projects for the period 2011-2013.

Purpose/objective:
• To have access to potable water for the 1,098 beneficiaries in ATJK  Woreda
• To build a primary school for 200 children
• To build half a Preparatory school for 400 students
• To have increased knowledge in basic health, hygiene and family planning, and practice methods of improved sanitation, health and hygiene for the 51,380 local villagers 
• To have increased environmental awareness and practice methods to mitigate environmental degradation for the 51,380 local villagers 

Methodology:
Various data collection methodologies were used including review of project documents, focus group discussions, key informant interviews, and observation. Data collection was undertaken by both the consultant and ADRA Ethiopia recruited enumerators and facilitators. Household surveys were conducted based on a sample size of 450 households. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used for data analysis.

Key findings:
• All objectives were achieved, however the second half of the preparatory school was not constructed by the community and local government as originally planned due to lack of coordination with the regional government. ADRA agreed to complete the school prior to school start September 2014.
• ADRA Ethiopia coordinated its work among disabled students with Gravete Clinic in Zweyi, which enabled them to reach more children. The original target was 15 but, through this cooperation, they were able to help 52 disabled students, 30 of these being girls.
• The manner in which ADRA was to work with the community in regards to health, hygiene and environmental awareness changed when the government suggested a new strategy. Instead of ADRA working directly with two villages, ADRA trained the government initiated health development army, which in turn reached 43 kebeles and the entire Woreda. 
• ADRA’s cooperation with the local government regarding the installation of water points benefited the project, since the government engineers only required per diem. It ensured the sustainability of the intervention through ownership from the outset.
• 222 children attend a primary school built by the EWC programme. 
• 1098 community members have access to potable water through the programme.
• 86% of respondents have a greater understanding of environmental issues, compared to 48% at baseline.

Recommendations:
• In future interventions, the program should target disabled students who do not go to school due to their disability, in order to assist them to be enrolled in the normal classrooms.
• A one day seminar should be held to sensitize the teachers on how to handle the needs of the disabled students.
• Greater coordination is needed with government stakeholders in higher levels of government.

Comments from the organisation, if any: