Final Evaluation Report Health and Literacy Project in Tambaga Area (PSAT)

Background:
A pilot project was implemented in 2003 – 2004 in the same area. An evaluation advised to continue the process of development in the area, in cooperation with the local authorities. A mid-term evaluation in 2008 provided recommendations for continuation. The current project will end in December 2010.

Purpose/objective:
Based on the evaluation of 2004, a new project document was designed for the years 2006 to 2010. This is the basis of the on-going development project supported by Normisjon and Norad. The aim of the present review is to assess the impact that has been made, compared to finacial and human recources committed to the project. The aim is further to assess the degree to which the project activities have met the needs of the target groups, and to assess the sustainability of the project activities.

Methodology:
The review was conducted using a combination of the following methods:
A. Study the project plans and reports
B. Interviews
C. Field observations
The aim was that the review should be a period of training/learning, with participants from the administration, field staff, local authorities and target group.

Key findings:
As a whole, the results expected in the annual plans based on objectives are achieved and some are exceeded. Trust is established between the populations of the three communes and the Project. All the target groups encountered in the 11 villages have said they are very satisfied with the quality and number of achievements made by PSAT, and that they meet their basic needs.

The second major finding is that in each village visited, women are the biggest beneficiaries, and they have expressed the positive impacts that the achievements of PSAT have caused on them and their families.

As for the health structure support the Deputy Chief Medical Officer of the Health Center of Reference of Kita remarked: “Thanks to PSAT, the Community Health Centers of Tambaga, Kokofata, and Sitanikoto have been operational. Without PSAT, these CHCs would certainly not be functional today like 4 others built in the circle at the same time”.

The development rate of family wells has been particularly appreciated by the population. All the persons interviewed, including health technicians have systematically said that drinking water is now clean and that the rate of diarrheal diseases has decreased. Many have stressed that these developments contribute to the safety of children and animals (prevent them from falling into wells). The large-diameter wells and pumps have helped to have water permanently in the villages.

The sensitizing activities in health were also unanimously appreciated by the TRBA, village and municipal authorities and administration. These include emissions on excision, pregnancy monitoring, EPI, nutrition and hygiene / sanitation. They find that these activities help in their sensitizing and mobilization work for the use of health services and in the framework of the sanitation of villages.

In an official declaration on the national television and radio of Mali, September 7, 2010, the Minister of National Education of Mali said that he now welcomes the availability of teaching materials in Malinké language. This declaration is due to the work of PSAT. The Malinké language is known since then as a national language of Mali among the 13 national languages of Mali.

Out of a total of 17 mills by PSAT since 2003, 13 are operating properly and are managed by a management committee set up and trained by the Project. Each of the group has a credit union created by the revenues from the mill.

The President of the group of women of Biliko, Mrs Bariki Kamissoko said: “Before the arrival of PSAT with the mill, we went to Kokofata located 9 km with a load of 20 kg on head, to make grind our cereals and Shea nuts. This took us all day. Thanks to PSAT, we won a day to devote to other tasks such as gardening, and the same quantities of cereals and nuts are ground in less than 30 minutes.”

More than 53 acres of gardens are utilized by 974 women in nine villages, who produce mainly leafy vegetables, fruits and tubers for domestic consumption and sale for cash income. The consumption of vegetables by the family may be extended for three months.

Recommendations:
Despite strengths mentioned above, the program presents some weaknesses and should improve on the following points:
- Despite the formalization of the Malinké language by the Minister of National Education, PSAT couldn’t train village animators in time, or open literacy centers in villages, let alone to provide women with reading and writing as it had planned it.

- The approach of PSAT which is based on collaboration with the municipal authorities, does not involve these authorities at all stages of the implementation of achievements.
- The saving approach “WSHG” must be followed to maximize its benefits.
- The low level of women’s representation within the Project team.

Comments from the organisation, if any:
The project achieved many good results during the 8 years (including 3 years pilot period), but due to certain circumstances it was decided to phase out the activities in 2010. Most of the goals had been reached. A fruitful cooperation with the national organization APDC during the final stage gave more emphasis to the aspects of teaching and training of women on the areas of health, gardening/nutrition, saving and credit in groups and management of mills enabling them to take responsibility themselves and be able to continue development activities in the future.