Impact evaluation – The Ujamaa Centre for Biblical and Theological Community Development and Research (August 2010)

Background:
The evaluation was carried out in connection with Ujamaa’s 21st anniversary.

Purpose/ Objective:
The purpose of this evaluation document is to reflect on the impact of the Centre’s work since inception, 21 years ago, but with a particular focus on the past five years.

Methodology:
Generic questionnaires were designed for all stakeholders to facilitate comparison and analysis of information. The fieldwork was undertaken by a team of three external evaluators – Mbali Cossa, Musa Mkhize and Lisa Strydom. Information was gathered from 147 people by means of 110 face-to-face interviews, 7 telephonic interviews, 20 written questionnaires and one focus group with 24 members. Those consulted included Board members, past and present staff of Ujamaa and the School of Religion and Theology at the University of KZN (SoRAT), fieldworkers, student workers, donors, partner organizations and community members. A number of documents were also reviewed to gather more detailed information about the history and activities of the Centre. Information gathered has been analyzed in relation to the stated objectives of each of the six programs (see key findings below) that make up the Ujamaa Centre in order to assess the extent to which objectives have been met.

Key Findings and recommendations:

Research and Pedagogy Program: Contextual Bible Study Methodology
The research and pedagogy program consist in developing and disseminating the method of Contextual Bible Study (CBS). The foundational work on Contextual Bible Study methodology has been so widely and thoroughly shared that even if the Ujamaa Centre were to move out of the University, research and publication could continue through academics in other institutions worldwide.

- One partner organization suggested that CBS training should be made more practical so that people can learn by ‘doing’ rather than just hearing about it in theory.
- Looking at ways for illiterate people to read and study the Bible as a large number of people within poor communities do have low or no literacy.
- Addressing the language difficulties experienced by facilitators in South Africa when attempting to translate CBS and other academic-type concepts into local languages.
- Exploring how to read the Bible with those who were the poor and oppressed under the old apartheid regime, but are now members of a new, black middle class.

Leadership and Advocacy Program
Participants report a better understanding of their roles as leaders and a greater feeling of confidence to carry out these roles. The students interviewed are passionate about the CBS methodology and its potential for social transformation.

- The program needs to have a clearer vision and focus which is in line with the overall purpose of Ujamaa.
- Need for more training and attention to communities and local congregation members as there seems to be too much of a focus on clergy.

Women and Gender Program
It is clear that the workshops run by Ujamaa staff and fieldworkers provide an opportunity for healing and support for women who have been abused. However, there was no evidence that these women were developing into leaders.
This type of gender program, especially in the form of the Tamar campaign, has been significantly extended into the rest of Africa through work in partnership with Ecumenical Theological Education (ETE) and Ecumenical HIV and AIDS Initiative in Africa (EHAIA).
Although men, especially church leaders, may indicate their understanding of the need to change while they are in workshops, they do not necessarily shift their preaching accordingly as it is easier to maintain the status quo regarding gender roles in churches.

- Still need for Ujamaa to run workshops on this program in the communities.
- Need for the additional assistance for men - more of the existing masculinity and gender identity workshops as well as looking at resources for men who are victims of abuse.

Theology and Economic Justice Program
The program appears to have been successful in transforming the mindsets of most ministers who have had exposure to the methodologies. The importance of prioritizing church-based social justice interventions seems to have been widely accepted, in theory. However, practical efforts tend to be fairly small and localized.

- Economic and political views of the Coordinator should not be presented as gospel but rather that different points of view should be discussed, debated and challenged.
- Staff, fieldworkers and about half the community/church participants felt strongly that more regular evaluation of the programme should be conducted in order to monitor and record the impact of the work, identify gaps and make appropriate changes.
- Workshops held on a more regular basis.

Solidarity program for people living with HIV and AIDS
Empowered the people attending the program and their families, and has led to increased community knowledge about HIV and treatment. The Solidarity Program, often in conjunction with the Women and Gender Program, has also extended into other countries in Southern Africa. The only main challenges of the program were lack of church support and stigma.

- Increased follow-up by fieldworkers through more frequent visits to the groups, informing government about the program, helping groups to register as NPOs etc.

Religion and governance program
Those who have been trained are generally motivated to become personally involved in improving their local communities. After the training some participants entered the political arena.

- Need for ongoing support and mentoring by program staff through workshops and regular visits.

Other recommendations
- There is a significantly potential for inter-program collaboration.
- Program coordinators need to have clearly defined objectives.
- Documentation within the organization needs to improve and there is a need for more regular evaluations.
- Address those holding positions of power.