Midterm evaluation report 2012; South Synod - Community Based Health Service Project (SS-CBHSP)

Background:
The South Synod – Community Based Health Service Project (SS-CBHSP) started its operation as a first phase project in 2010 in Gedeo Zone, Gedeb Weeda district. The main components of the project are: Hiv/AIDS, Water, Hygiene and Sanitation and Family Planning. The project had an agreement to work with the district level water desk, health office and women and children’s affairs office. The project established a very good working relationship with the district offices; especially the involvement and engagement of the district women and children affairs office has been very good.

Purpose/objective:
To examine to what extent the project objectives achievements started as stated in the project documents.

• To improve the performance of the project for the remaining time of the project.
• To make choices and decisions of the project for future.
• To record lessons learned
• To assess sustainability of the project
• To assess the efficiency and resource utilization of the project in accomplishing the work.

Methodology:
The midterm Evaluation was undertaken using the following methodologies:

• Gathering information by the team from project documents and field assessment.
• Briefing by the project team.
• Field assessement (site visit)
• Focus group discussions.
• Interviewing target groups.
• Discussion with District government officials.

Key findings:
The evaluation team felt the mid-term evaluation was helpful to see the level of the progress of the project and forward a corrective measures and recommendation on the drawbacks faced for the future successful achievement of the project with remaining resources. The physical and financial accomplishment of the project is below the expected level which is below 80%, and the main reason for the progress level is being budget shortage. The delay was due to fund not being released on time per agreement from the donor. However, there were strong sides of the project observed which needs to be scale-up. The accomplishment of Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) care and support through the direct participation of the community was very much appreciated by the team. This was great work to be carried forward and duplicated that the community contributed fund to care for the OVC. Awareness creation and latrine constructions were participatory as it is reviewed from the report of the implementing organization and field assessment observation.

Recommendations:

• The remaining project activities like construction of safe water schemes due to budget shortage should be completed by searching for all possible solutions.
• The implementing organization shall prepare and submit the evaluation report of the project before the evaluation time as per the Go –CSO guideline.
• The OVC care and support approach of the community should be scaled-up to the other areas of the zone.
• Measures should be undertaken on the contractors that are not completing construction projects as per contractual agreement.

Comments from the organisation, if any:
The SES-CBHSP has been in operation since the beginning of 2010. The project has done a good work when it comes to sustaining the HIV/AIDS work - that the project engaged the community to take responsibility for Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) and they contributed cash in kind and goods to care & support for OVC. The evaluation report mentioned that the physical and financial achievement of the project is below 80% due to – donor not releasing budget on time. The budget release is connected to reports being submitted on time. This matter has been discussed with the project management team through the donor country office on several occasions and capacity building has been offered also to ensure timely submission of reports in order to release fund on time.