Zimbabwe Parents of Handicapped Children Association (ZPCHA) Evaluation and Strategic Planning Report July 2006

Background

Evaluation by Norwegian Association of Disabled.

The evaluation was conducted in order to review the organisation's past activities, analysis the present context in which it is operating and the impact of this on its ability to deliver its programmatic strategies and to identify key issues to take the organization forward during the next 4 years.

Purpose/objective

The Evaluation was commissioned as part of the ongoing process of evaluating and assessing the work of the ZPHCA, not only to provide the organization and NFU with the opportunity to reflect on progress that has been made during the previous strategic plan - up until 2004, but also to comply with the prescribed NORAD conditions for funding NFU, and finally to gather relevant information to inform the strategic planning process for the period from 2007 - 2010 which will be the basis for a further funding application by NFU to NORAD for ZPHCA.

Methodology

The Evaluation methodology was based on an interactive approach where the consultant spent most of her time in discussion with various stakeholders regarding the issues relevant to ZPHCA, the evaluation and the strategic planning process.

The evaluation process was done at various levels of the organization. This included field visits to 3 branches and meetings with members of the NEC and staff from the Head Office in Zimbabwe.

Key findings

It was agreed that ZPHCA's objective for the next four years is to build on the successes and challenges that it has experienced during its establishment period. It was agreed by participants at the strategic planning meeting that the lessons of the past will provide critical information about how to take the organization forward. However several issues were identified as fundamental in terms of the ability of the organization to move to the next level of institutionalization, and to secure its long term sustainability.

These issues include the need for skills training, in addition to those that are already being provided to members for lobbying and advocacy capacity; capacity building for NEC members, provincial committee members, branch committee members and the staff at the Head Office in Harare. Capacity building includes enhancing the competencies, capabilities as well as the capacity of the members and staff to deliver effectively and efficiently the programmes and activities of the organization.

The report also suggested that ZPCHA needs to develop other types of projects except from lobbying and advocacy in order to give its members more concrete and direct results. This is especially important considering the difficult economic and political situation in the country.

Recommendations

At present, effective programmatic delivery mechanisms, processes and systems are still at a developmental stage. Moreover the assumption that significant input into improved organizational structures and systems will automatically translate into more effective outputs has been shown in other instances to be flawed. Consequently, levels of effective implementation remain low, with little visible change in the quality of the lives of the families and parents living with children with disabilities, in particular. It is therefore critically important that ZPHCA institutionalize its internal administrative and decision making processes and systems, professionalise its policy making body i.e. the NEC and its various structures and finally concentrate on build a strong foundation at branch and provincial levels. This will provide a framework that is a solid platform for the advocacy and lobbying activities.