Weekly Update from boNGO Malawi Program Director Justin Namizinga

[boNGO...@gmail.com]

boNGO Worldwide ( MALAWI)

Quick update 8

ECD

Internal monitoring & evaluation to both Umodzi & Mango model centers
in general

What’s happening positive?

1. Good working relationship amongst teachers

2. Good parents participation & involvement

3. Good implementation of boNGO ECD ideas. Though need more time
for Mango as it is still at infant stage in terms of intensive M&E and
involvement, but things are getting there well.

4. Meetings are been held monthly for updates to the parents and
others.

5. Good children’s attendance and participation.

6. Executive committee taking their time sometimes to monitor &
evaluate too, at both CBO’s, Umodzi-Mbame & Tiyende Pamodzi.

7. Feeding program going on well& parents taking their role daily

8. It has been noted that, most of the village headmen follow
what is happening in most of the CBCC which boNGO works with.
(internal &external ones)

Challenges;

1. Need to make sure that, all teachers in our example schools be
trained (initial ECD

Training) outreach, like all teachers at Umodzi Model.

I mean all remaining teachers in all Tiyende pamodzi CBO centers

2. Need to enhance the external monitoring and evaluation to
really get much from their activities and way forward by having proper
means of reaching the areas in time where the CBCC’s are. E.g. how it
was with me going to Matope and Josamu , very far( hiring car is ok,
but sometimes expensive considering the time of being at that centre
been charged. Not urgent.

3. Thought Umodzi-Mbame Model could have a riding bicycle for
mobility purposes. (Those involved with me in M&E nearby schools)
sending out trainings information and many more duties at the centre.
HOW DO YOU THINK ABOUT THIS IDEA FRIENDS?

4. Enhancing the within and outside trips for the teachers where
they could advance their learning opportunities to other potential
schools. (Have one this term)

5. How boNGO and its working groups/communities will keep the
teachers till, still involved on, for the benefit of the communities
and children in particular (big one). With this fact of pure
volunteerism. Think this will depend on the relationship and long term
plans of the partner groups. Food for thought/ ideas in place.



Fishermen’s rest Pre-school centre idea Meeting:

Had a good meeting with representatives in the first place when they
approached boNGO/me, to know best technical how on how best they come
up with the sustainable and community owned pre-school centre. (In a
consultancy thought of it)We talked and were satisfied and agreed to
have the first step of meeting the chiefs(5 in total) and share with
them the idea, it was a very good one, I organized perfectly, last
Thursday afternoon. Fishermen’s rest trust members very convinced &
satisfied how it was, all praise to boNGO and me in particular. Chiefs
were all open in our discussions and promised to take full control of
their development. I enjoyed it as usual, very fruitful.

Later agreed that chiefs will summon the community meeting of which,
Fishermen’s rest people have also requested me to address the meeting
with chiefs together. (Community mobilization meeting as step 2), of
which I accepted.

Questions:

For how is boNGO /I going to do this, other peoples work? Is not the
time that boNGO realize its potentials and believe that it does good
work and need to be appreciated? Do you think these people will
appreciate boNGO/me in turn minus any agreement? Is there anything
that boNGO Directors could come up with as to this regard and future
potentials? In this case what can I do then? Next week Thursday it’s
this community mobilization meeting.

Talked with Simone & shared some thoughts & Tereza too, not to that
extent with Simone. CONSULTANCY SERVICES (most probable). How do you
all think? I do not think I will just be doing that, till all steps
are met and the school starts. I wanted to finish with them this
meeting and tell the officials from Fishermen’s rest that, I & boNGO
can not go on like that, otherwise need to be considered. There are
lots of steps to come to realize this dream of the center in a
sustainable and community owned way.Will also talks to DAVID and see
how to go on about it.



CALENDARS

Got some calendars for 2009 from PSI, will give them to Children’s
corner and pre-school children’s parents, teachers and E/C members.

The books promised will be collected probably this coming week and
couple with our own meeting on how PSI will be working with Umodzi
children’s corner this year.



Tereza: Good idea to be collecting pictures in all CBCC’s which am
doing M&E and keep the folder, this will help also to see the changes
from the previous to present. And also the drawing of the map of our
catchments area, including areas where CBCC’s are & direction. I will
certainly be doing that, though have already some in my file.

As to regard to the two centers I visited, External M&E(Matope/
Josamu), i felt the same like in kantimbanya, true expression,
relationship, sense of taking the school activity(ies) as theirs and
how they feed the children, from their own sources, contribute,
meeting shadow MPs asking for help, having their own gardens. But
needs technical know how of things. Committee never trained in
Management/ privileged to have one teacher trained & incorporated in
boNGO ECD program. (It’s very far also from the main road/ very rural
too).



Next plans

1. boNGO weekly meetings

2. MDG’s Club (M&E) Collection of the essays.

3. M &E boNGO ECD ( mango & umodzi centers

4. Final plans for 1st Observation training 2009, scheduled for
the 19th & 20th March.

5. Any other boNGO business.



Simone:

I do agree with you that I can be reporting monthly, that’s fine with
me. Good enough. How others think about it? Tereza & David. Feedback
please.



Please expect another update this month end, if we all agree to get
the reports once in a month (monthly reports)



Thanks to you all Directors & Partners for supporting grassroots work.