Evaluation of Women Against Aids, Pentecostal Foreign Mission of Norway, Uganda

Background

The Women Against AIDS (WAA) Project has been operating since 2003 on pilot basis in the Eastern Districts of Bugiri, Tororo and Pallisa. The pilot project was evaluated in 2005 and extended to four more years up to 2009 to cover the additional Districts of Busia, Mbale, Butaleja and Manafwa. The project is implemented by Pentecostal Churches of Uganda in partnership with (PYM) Norway and the Norwegian Development Assistance.

Purpose/objective

The main purpose of the Evaluation was to assess the impact of project activities and the working methods, and to see whether the project achieved the goals and objectives that were set out. The second purpose was to consider the sustainability of the activities, especially in all aspects in which knowledge will remain in the target group after external support is phased out.

Methodology

The methods that were thought to be most useful were: fieldwork, Questionnaires and checklists were developed for use during field trips. The data collection process involved literature review, interviews, workshops and focus group discussions. The data collection process also involved field trips to Pallisa, Mbale, Bugiri , Tororo and Manafwa Districts.

Key findings

On the whole, the project is moving in the right direction and the target groups find the project useful. However, there should be a more open system of planning and management through decentralization of activities to the target area. More involvement of School Heads and Teachers should be considered and this can be achieved if collaboration with the Ministry of Education is brought into force. The project should concentrate on developing communication materials, which can be used in schools and communities to create awareness. Training of teachers will be a valuable investment, as it will ensure that the skills are transferred to the children. Capacity building for community groups especially women groups should continue. They should be assisted to run their income generating activities better through training and provision of grants for setting up revolving loan funds.

Recommendations

In line with the recommendations made in 2005 evaluation Report, WAA has undergone organizational reorganization which has enabled it acquire higher levels of performance and confidence.

WAA should concentrate on the geographical areas they are working in at the moment; they should not spread out to other areas until most of the Schools in their current area of operation are covered.

Project reporting and monitoring system should be improved to better focus on qualitative and impact related aspects. The monitoring system should identify problems and positive possibilities during implementation in order to provide tools for proper management. Sensitive feedback from stakeholders should be collected with focus on target groups (Schoolchildren aged 8-14 years)

Project planning should be participatory; it should involve all stakeholders, relevant NGOs and the Government. More attention should be paid to analyses of problems and development potential as part of project preparation. Planning should have strong focus on sustainability.

The attempt for the project to organize refresher courses should continue the training should include School authorities/Teachers; they in turn should train the children.

Capacity building initiatives supported by the project should continue. Training should focus on community empowerment, income generating activities, legal rights of children, counselling, reporting and bookkeeping.

Capacity building for project personnel should be intensified, training in new ideas such as participatory planning; monitoring and gender should be included.

The project should carry out a feasibility study to identify the best institutional arrangement which will guarantee sustainability.