Evaluation of Women Against Aids Project

Background

Evalution by Pentecostal Foreign Mission of Norway, Uganda.

The Women Against AIDS (WAA) Project has been operating since 2003 on pilot basis in the Eastern Districts of Bugiri, Tororo and Pallisa. The project is implemented by Pentecostal Churches of Uganda in partnership with Pinsevennenes Ytremisjon (PYM) Norway and the Norwegian Development Assistance. Although HIV/AIDS is rampant in nearly all regions in Uganda, the project has been addressing the scourge in communities and schools in Bwalula and Bugiri town in Bugiri district, Malaba in Tororo district, and Kanyumu in Pallisa district.

Purpose/objective

The project managers, PCU and PYM are all interested in the results of such an evaluation to make a more effective work for the best of the Uganda people. The key question is that in light of the outcome of this pilot project evaluation, what are the recommendations to continue the project?

Methodology

The evaluation team visited areas (communities) where the projects have been working, namely Bwalula, Bugiri, Malaba, and Kanyumu communities in the three districts, to assess project activities for long-term effects of the inputs, as well as short-term effects and expected results. The team also looked at evidence of the capacity of the women and selected children (beneficiaries) in five schools in the same communities. The information was qualitatively analysed and hereby presented as the main process of this evaluation. No quantitative data was collected, as the project had no given measurable programme indicators that would have generated quantifiable results showing effectiveness of the project.

Key findings

Findings from this evaluation of the pilot WAA Project suggest that the project has to a large extent achieved its overall goal of building the capacity of women groups in the communities in the four sites of Bwalula, Bugiri, Malaba and Kanyumu. This is in line with the aim of enabling them to find their own solutions of how to prevent their own children and young people from HIV infection. On the basis of the WAA project's defined short and long-term expected effects and results of creating awareness on HIV/AIDS, sexual abuse, children's and women's rights, and democracy and social responsibility. We found out that there were positive changes reported by all women's groups and schools.

The project's main focus was on combating the spread of the HIV/AIDS scourge: the major strategies used to achieve the overall goal were awareness creating activities; school-based programmes; and community awareness seminars, and training workshops.

However, the other strategies of establishing cross professional co-operation in communities to protect children from sexual abuse and early sexual debut seemed to be less clearly articulated or indicated. This is not easy to differentiate clearly, especially as there are other players, including activities in schools like the PIASCY strategy. It was not clear for example that parents, teachers, health care personnel and youth leaders, particularly in the church were brought together to discuss matters on adolescent sexuality and child abuse as it was intended. Most activities in the schools involved only project staff and the children selected, and teachers were not included or involved on an ongoing basis.

On the whole, the pilot project has shown much success in raising awareness to the four key areas among the women and children in school. Stakeholders find the project useful, and want the support to continue or increased, and where possible its activities scale up over a longer period.

On the other hand, stakeholders also have called for a more open system for planning and management at the national and local levels. School heads and teachers in particular call for more involvement and transparency as far as activities in school are concerned. Teachers want to be trained in skills of communication and helping the children on the four key issues.

Women groups would like to be assisted to run income-generating activities, as well as to gain further skills on handling HIV/AIDS issues and information, education, and communication materials in order to give appropriate messages, and expand activities to more communities.

Recommendations

1. Our team finds it necessary to recommend some modifications in terms of approach regarding training, providing materials, and improving communication with and involvement of local personnel.
2. There is need to get clear impact and process indicators with clear objectives to facilitate monitoring and evaluation of progress of the project, as well as observed changes that have taken place over time. Qualitative indicators of changes in the quality of life of community members (target group) over time e.g. a woman in Kanyumu who has experienced a better lifestyle as a result of the project activities, should be periodically reviewed (internally or externally), in order to evaluate project performance, and to strengthen planning strategies.
3. The following aspects of capacity building need strengthening: counselling and guidance skills, especially for teachers; knowledge and skills to handle information on HIV/AIDS and sexuality; writing or developing local project proposals and budgeting. Training is a major component of capacity building and must be specifically budgeted for as a major part of project input.
4. Support to orphans in form of school fees, and material support needs to be considered as part of WAA project's care and support initiative. Income-generating projects could be the best approach to helping orphans and widows. In the future, care and support for PLWAs or HIV positive persons could be extended in form of providing antiretroviral drugs (or money to register clients), clinical and nutrition support, materials support, and school fees for others in need e.g. orphans.
5. In terms of funding, stakeholders e.g. women's groups want to be assisted to run simple income-generating projects like poultry keeping, piggery, crafts making, machines for cooking oils, agricultural crop projects, etc. depending on the local circumstances or demands. Seed money that could be set aside as revolving funds be made available based on clear guidelines or criteria, for whom to assist and at what level, etc.
6. Financial support requests from the project were specifically made for transport, implementation of some activities, registration of patients for antiretroviral therapy, purchasing some educational materials, and for some office equipment. This could be considered as the project expands and receives more funds through several sources, including from the MOH.
7. Training is an essential important element for sustainability. Project staffs, in particular, needs training in areas that can impart them further special skills such as counselling, research and data analysis, and computing and data management. Community resource persons and group leaders should also be trained in communication, counselling and other areas in AIDS education, care and support