PD 1930/ BN 10409 “Myanmar Community and Home Based HIV/AIDS Programme”

Background:
The work of The Salvation Army commenced in Myanmar in 1915 under the administration
of India. In 1994, the Myanmar Region became part of the Singapore, Malaysia and Myanmar
Territory. The Region comes under the direction of a Regional Officer.
HIV was introduced in Myanmar in mid-to-late 1980s and by the end of 2003, a cumulative
7,174 AIDS cases and 3,324 AIDS deaths have been reported. It is estimated that around 238,000 people are living with HIV in Myanmar in 2009, of whom 74,000 are in need of antiretroviral therapy. In the same year, an estimated 17,000 people died of AIDS-related illness. Incidence is estimated at well above 10,000 new infections per year, confirming the continuing need for effective prevention efforts, with increased emphasis on reaching long term female sexual partners of male most at risk populations.
With the support of THQ in Singapore and IHQ Health Services’ Asia-Pacific Regional
Programme Facilitation Team, a participatory project design was done in 2000 and a proposal
was submitted to The Salvation Army in Norway. In 2002, funds from NORAD/BN and
TSA-Norway were made available for capacity building of local staff and officers. The programme design was centered on the involvement of Corps (church) members in home visits and neighborhood discussions.
Partnership with three local hospitals enabled case findings and follow-up of people counseled and tested positive for HIV.
In 2008, the second five-year funding was made available again by NORAD/BN and SANorway
with the plans to expand to Lower Myanmar (Central and Southern Myanmar). Currently, the programme is mainly located in Kalay and Tamu Districts.
The Salvation Army’s Myanmar Community and Home-based HIV/AIDS Programme has many achievements and successes. The main success encountered at the community level is the acceptance of PLWHA, orphans and affected family members. Another important achievement is the active involvement of PLWHA in ensuring decrease of stigma and discrimination in communities. Through the livelihood projects, PLWHA have proven that they have capacity to be productive and support themselves and their family members. The programme is sustainable at the village level for as long as the AIDS issue is owned by the local TSA corps members and officers.
The Salvation Army’s Myanmar Community and Home-based HIV/AIDS Programme is in its third year of a five year funding cycle with NORAD/BN and The Salvation Army- Norway. NORAD/BN requires an external evaluation within the project funding cycle 2007-2011.

Purpose/objective:
The purpose of this evaluation is to ensure that PD1930 Myanmar Community and Homebased HIV/AIDS Programme is delivering maximum contribution to the lives of people infected and affected by HIV&AIDS.
The evaluation was conducted on December 4-11 in Upper Myanmar involving both Kalay and Tamu Districts. Interviews were also done in Yangon on November 20th.

Methodology:
The evaluation methodology was participatory and appreciative.
Quantitative and qualitative data were collected and evaluated through desk review of documents provided, observations during site visits, interviews and FGDs. Initial findings were presented during the debriefing at RHQ in Yangon and THQ in Singapore. Method of data analysis used was triangulation. Triangulation means bringing together different types of data, and different ways of looking at data, to better answer evaluation questions.

Key findings:
Findings have been categorized under following criteria:
Programme design, objectives, Actual resources used, Actual costs, Outputs and achievements, Management, Development goals and Supports TSA mission.
• Programme design was similar to the initial programme, and beneficiary participation was found. Gender issues were considered and both male and female are involved in planning and activities. Environment is not a focus point in the programme, but activities are found to be environment friendly. Sustainability was found in activities like home visits, neighbourhood discussions, and some of the livelihood activities.
• Objectives were not found to be framed as SMART
• Actual Recourses Used. The quantity and quality of input to achieve the objectives varies.
• Actual costs is difficult to calculate because of incomplete data.
• Outputs and Achievements. The project outputs and achievements are sustainable at the community/corps level. However, at the District and National level, outputs and achievements could only be sustained if TSA as an organization would embrace some ways of working of this programme beyond the lifetime of the project. Home visits help identify issues like alternative livelihood to those who are at risk to HIV. Gardening and weaving are successful livelihood ventures for PLWHIV. Community awareness, prevention and care for PLWHIV  was significantly increased. Blood tests are conducted in cooperation with three clinics. Orphan Support is limited to those who are in school. Community and Church capacity have significantly increased.
• Management. Many of the findings in this area are negative and needs attention. Reporting, monitoring and policies and guidelines are areas that suffers due to staff turnover lack of systematic filing and team work between the involved personell.
• Development goals are reported to be partially achieved.
• Support to TSA Mission is found to be fulfilled, and the project´s human needs were met without discrimination.

Recommendations:
1) Improve programmatic technical support
2) Update and/or set standard guidelines
3) Consider re-aligning programme priorities to respond to increasing community needs
4) Improve management support, reporting and tracking of program outcomes
5) Clarify roles and responsibilities of staff and volunteers
6) Consider TSA priority cross cutting themes
7) Improve networking at all levels
8) Formulate comprehensive and SMART objectives
9) Create systematic links with other TSA projects
10) Review the connection of PD1930 with the overall ministry of TSA using Integrated Mission approach and HIV/AIDS issue as entry point to mission

Comments from the organisation, if any:
We are satisfied with the evaluation report although it points to weaknesses that needs to be addressed.
The recommendations will be taken into consideration in future plans and project proposals.