WOLLO UNIVERSITY
COLLEGE OF BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS
DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT
MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
Project Execution and Closure Course
Case study on the Implementation of Child and Community Development
Project (CCDP) BY CHADET
By
No. ID No Name Remark
1 SGSE/0642/15 Jemal Assefa
2 SGSE/0245/15 Tamene Mekonnen
3 SGSE/0246/15 Tesfaye Admasu
January, 2024
Dessie, Ethiopia
Table of Contents
ACRONYMS ..............................................................................................................................2
1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ..................................................................................................3
2. PROJECT PROFILE ...............................................................................................................4
3. INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND .............................................................................4
4. MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE PROJECT .............................................................6
4.1- Education ............................................................................................ 6
4.2 – Food security and livelihood ..................................................................... 7
4.3 Capacity building .................................................................................... 9
5. PROJECT EXIT PLAN AND CLOSURE WORKSHOP....................................................... 10
6. MAJOR CHALLENGES AND ACTIONS TAKEN .............................................................. 11
7. LESSONS LEARNED .......................................................................................................... 12
8. CONCLUSION ..................................................................................................................... 13
9. RECOMMENDATIONS....................................................................................................... 14
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ACRONYMS
CFTC Canadian feed the children
CBOs Community Based Organizations
CHADET Organization for Child Development and Transformation
ECCE Early Childhood Care and Education
HH House Hold
ICT Information Communication Technology
IGA Income generating activities
PCO Project Coordination office
PLA Participatory Learning and Action
SACCO Saving and Credit Cooperative organization
SHG Self -help group
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1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This executive summary provides an overview of our group assignment on project execution and
closure, which focuses on the implementation of the Child and Community Development Project
(CCDP) by the Organization for Child Development and Transformation (CHADET) in
Kombolcha town and its surroundings, South Wollo zone, Amhara region. The CCDP aims to
achieve three main objectives: ensuring access to quality primary and Early Childhood Care and
Education (ECCE) for girls and boys in the intervention area, improving household food security
and addressing the nutritional needs of children and families, and enhancing the capacities of
community and partner organizations to facilitate planned activities. CHADET, an indigenous
non-governmental organization established in 1995, has been involved in protecting the welfare
of children in difficult circumstances. The organization operates in three regions of Ethiopia and
focuses on education, livelihood improvement, capacity building, research, and networking. The
CCDP project has been implemented in five phases, with the final phase ending in December 2021.
Throughout the project, CHADET has collaborated with government agencies and community
structures to ensure the sustainability of activities. The project has made significant
accomplishments in the areas of education and food security. Under the education component, the
project has supported ECCE centers and primary schools by providing scholastic materials,
conducting training for facilitators, constructing facilities such as toilets, and engaging parents and
communities in the governance of ECCE. The project has also established an Information
Communication Technology (ICT) Center and library services to promote reading and ICT-related
activities for young people. Regarding food security and livelihood, the project has focused on
reducing food insecurity by creating opportunities for households to engage in agricultural and
non-agricultural initiatives. This includes establishing nurseries, providing seeds and seedlings of
various fruits and vegetables, and offering technical support to households on agricultural plot
management. Overall, the CCDP has successfully increased access to ECCE services, raised
awareness of communities on the importance of ECCE, improved participation in ECCE
governance, and enhanced food security for vulnerable households. The project has positively
impacted the education and well-being of children and families in Kombolcha and its surrounding
areas.
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2. PROJECT PROFILE
Project Title Child and Community Development Project (CCDP)
Name of implementing organization Organization for Child Development and Transformation (CHADET)
Objectives Girls and boys in the intervention area have access to quality
primary and ECCE education,
Improve household food security and address the general
nutritional needs of children and families in the target ed areas,
Improve the capacities of Community and partners organizations to
facilitate planned activities.
Project location Kombolcha town and rural kebeles in its surroundings
Start date of the project January 2021
End date of the project December 2021
Type and number of beneficiaries Total: 17,324
Direct: 1,230 (Male - 246 Female – 984)
Indirect: 15,094 (Male- 420 Female - 14,674)
Contact Person Anannia Admassu (PhD)_Executive Director
Tel: - +251-115-156959, +251-115-525077
E-mail: [email protected] Fax:
Website: - www.chadet.org
Project Budget Total Budget: ETB 2,739,078.60 Operational cost: ETB 2,476,794.60
Administration cost: ETB 262,284.00
3. INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND
CHADET is an indigenous non-governmental organization established in 1995 and is involved in
protecting the welfare of children found under difficult circumstances. Its organizational mission
is to create access to integrated services for vulnerable children. Currently it operates in three
regions of Ethiopia namely: Amhara, Oromia and Addis Ababa targeting the disadvantaged
members of the community. Its major intervention areas include:(1) Education: creating access to
primary and ECCE education for OVCs, alternative basic education and support for marginalized
girls and boys in primary, secondary and TVET levels (2) Livelihood improvement (food security,
skills and vocational training, saving and credit schemes, etc.) (3) Capacity building (enhancement
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of capacities of local stakeholders); (4) Undertaking research and CHADET established a Project
Coordination Office (PCO) in Kombolcha town, South wollo zone of the Amhara regional state
almost fourteen years ago in 2007.
The office at the beginning started to implement a project entitled “Adolescent Reproductive
Health Project” in sixteen Kebeles of the Woreda including Kebeles within Kombolcha town with
an aim to disseminate reproductive health information through different strategies to address the
community in general and adolescents and young people in particular and thereby to establish and
strengthen a functional referral linkage with service providers, including government health
institutions. Later on, it developed a project entitled “Child and Community Development Program
(CCDP)” with a focus on children’s education and support for their parents and care providers. It
also included executing programs that benefit communities and strengthening schools through
initiating their own income generation schemes such that they could also support vulnerable
children in their respective schools.
Furthermore, building capacities of local stakeholders and grassroot level voluntary institutions
was an integral part of the project activity. Besides its positive effect on children who were enrolled
at the ECCE centers, the project was able to initiate youth clubs that are now working
independently and has laid down foundations between schools, communities and line government
bodies for ensuring the sustainability of the ‘Child and Community Development Program
(CCDP)’ project.
The project focused on creating access to education for vulnerable children, building capacities of
local stakeholders and food security. In addition, the parents of the target children have been
organized into self-help groups (SHG) and SACCOs provided with business skills training during
project life. The project has also initiated income generating activities in government schools to
provided support for other vulnerable children to access education through the provision of
scholastic materials and improved school infrastructures.
The CCDP project that CHADET has been implementing in Kombolcha over the years could be
divided into five phases. The first phase covers the period between 2007-2009 while the second
phase ranges between the years 2010 and 2012. Between the years 2013 and 2015 and 2016-2018,
it implemented the third and fourth phase of the project respectively. Although the final phase of
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the project was implemented during the years of 2019 and 2020, in order to strengthen the activities
that were being implemented over the years and ensure the sustainability of key activities and to
compensate some of that was lost due to the COVID 19 pandemic, a one-year agreement was
signed with the government agencies at regional level. This has enabled CHADET to make the
necessary preparation for phase out and make proper arrangements with relevant government and
other stakeholders to hand over project activities. This project has come to end in December 2021.
4. MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE PROJECT
4.1- Education
The project has continued to support the four ECCE centers and six target primary schools to ensure
quality education for boys and girls through assisting students in the provision of scholastic
materials (such as exercise books, pens, pencils) and encouraging them to participate in
extracurricular activities and strengthening school IGAs that have already been established in the
respective schools. Key activities that were carried out under the education program component
are summarized as follows:
Training and technical support was provided for 25 facilitators (teachers) on topics of child care,
teaching and learning processes, pedagogical and facilitation skills as well as sanitation.
Scholastic materials were provided for 319 sponsored ambassador children.
One toilet with two rooms was constructed at Kedida school for children in zero class.
Through building the capacity of members of school clubs organized in the schools, the project
was able to provide training for the reduction of violence and HTPs that are considered to be
barriers for girl’s education.
Efforts were made to enhance the engagement of communities in the improvement of schools and
towards ensuring attendance of students and reduction of drop-outs.
Regular meetings were conducted with parents/guardians of ambassador sponsored children in
each quarter.
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The ICT Center that has been established in the premises of CHADET in Kombolcha (Biraro
Secondary school) has continued to provide reading and ICT related activities for young people
coming from the schools and higher educational facilities in the town.
Along with the provision of ICT services, the project has continued to avail library services for
students and young people in the town to develop their reading skills and habit. An average of 100
students and young people were served at the library during the reporting period. The ECCE at
Harbu was provided with school materials that are suitable for the children.
As a result of these activities, the project has been able to:
Create access to ECCE services for vulnerable and disadvantaged children to quality ECCE
education,
Increase the level of awareness of communities on the importance of ECCE,
Enhance the level of participation by parents and communities in the governance of ECCE.
Better attitude observed among boys towards girls, and Level of awareness and self-esteem
increased among girls
4.2 – Food security and livelihood
A) Food security
With a view of reducing food insecurity situation in the target communities and enhance the
capability of households to produce excess and maintain a stable supply of food for their dietary
needs, the project has been making efforts to create more opportunities for poor households to
engage in agricultural and non-agricultural initiatives and to diversify their sources of food.
Major activities that were carried out during the reporting period include the following:
- Technical support was provided to households on the preparation and management of agricultural
plots for gardening.
- Improved seeds and seedlings of vegetables and fruits were purchased and distributed for selected
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80 households to increase agricultural production and secure household level food security living
in urban and rural woredas (tomato, kale, carrot, Swiss chard, cabbage, chilly, beetroot, onion,
Avocado, Mango, etc.).
- In collaboration with Dessie Zuria Woreda Office of Agriculture, a training was provided for 50
SHG/SACCOs on spice’s production.
- Three rounds of practical and theoretical and practical training were provided on nutrition for
Parents/guardians of sponsored children and 75 members of SHG/SACCOs.
- Selected seed provided for 50 HHs for food production and/or urban gardening training.
- Arrangements were made for SHGs and SACCO’s to formally establish linkages with concerned
government offices to obtain and access audit services.
- A series of training programs were conducted to demonstrate for members of households regarding
the preparation of different varieties of food from home-grown vegetables and in making use of
balanced diet and nutrition for their children and family members.
- Short term vocational skill training for given for 20 unemployed youth on the area of skill such as
technology maintenance and food preparation and kitchen operations given.
In general, findings of many of the performance indicators under the food security program proved
that the project has achieved good results in terms improving skills in the proper development,
management and utilization of food items among households who have participated in the
program.
B) Livelihoods
The strategic approach that has been adopted by CHADET to increase access to finance among
families of children who are participating in the project was to organize and strengthen care givers
to be organized in SHG/SACCOs such that they could improve their income at household level.
In this regard, CHADET has been able to establish SHGS/SAC. COs among the target
communities. During the reporting year a focus has been made on strengthening the capacity of
the different groups.
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Key activities include the following:
- Facilitated linkages for the SHGs and SACCOs with concerned government offices such that they
will continue to receive technical support such as audit services after the phasing out of the project.
- Facilitated experience sharing among SHGs with other groups of similar standing.
- Provided different training and discussion forum with regards to the sustainability of the SHGs
and SACCOs.
- Short term vocational skill training for given for 20 unemployed youth on the area of skill such as
technology maintenance and food preparation and kitchen operations.
With a capital of over 2.3 million birr that has been accumulated from members saving, IGA
activity and seed money injected by CHADET and with the support that is going to made by
government stakeholders, the SACCOs are believed to grow and sustain their activities over the
years to come.
4.3 Capacity building
The project has been making efforts to improve the capacities of its different stakeholders during
the reporting period. These include schools, SHGs and SACCOs, CBOs such as Idirs and
parents/guardians. Key activities that were carried out include the following:
- Conducted periodic individual and joint review meetings with government and other stakeholders
to monitor and review the progress of the project.
- Organized Field visits for local stakeholders to meet project participants and help them understand
the achievements, prospects and challenges of the different components of the project.
- Consultation meetings were held with sponsored children's parents/guardians on future
sustainability and ways they support their children.
- Based on their level of vulnerability, arrangements were made for 68 children to continue to obtain
support from CBOs and school IGAs.
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In general, the capacity development training sessions and the IGA support that was provided for
schools, CBOs and parents/guardians have been instrumental for ensuring the sustainability of the
various aspects of the project.
5. PROJECT EXIT PLAN AND CLOSURE WORKSHOP
Throughout the reporting period, CHADET has been working closely with all concerned
stakeholders to pave the way for final exit of the project. Through using its previous experiences
in the preparation of exit plan (i.e., following community led and participatory tools/approaches)
a series of consultations were made with constituencies including children, care givers,
representatives and leaders of key government offices and CBOs. Separate discussion sessions
were conducted with different groups of project participants including children’s groups, care
givers, leaders of CBOs (Idirs), SHGs and SaCCOs regarding the phase out plan and exit strategies
and gather their opinion on ways of sustaining specific activities. In this regard, preparations were
made to assess the situation of needy children and determine the ones who might still need support
after the phasing out of the project. This was aligned with consultation made with CBOs to assess
their capacity to assist a given number of children who are going to be identified as the most needy
and vulnerable so as they could continue to receive support after the phasing out of the project.
CHADET has also worked closely with school management committees to find ways of
coordinating support for some children from their IGA schemes that was set for them by CHADET
over the course of the implementation of the project.
Field visits were organized for local stakeholders to meet project participants and help them
understand the achievements, prospects and challenges of the different components of the project.
This was followed by organizing a discussion forum with government partners for devising ways
and creating linkages and further follow-up of key activities carried out by the project. This has
helped to encourage local stakeholders to obtain first-hand and up-to-date information on the
project and outline and define roles and responsibilities between the different stakeholders to
ensure smooth transit and sustainability of key activities. Based on the feedback obtained from the
different stakeholders an MoU was drafted and duly signed by the different government
stakeholders to oversee the continuation of the different activities introduced by the project.
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However, the office of education for Kombolcha town took the responsibility of taking care of all
four ECCE centers constructed by CHADET and for the management of the facilitators. The
teaching and learning process will be followed up by PTAs that have already been established in
each ECCE centers, Kombolcha town education office and families of the children who are
enrolled in the centers. The self-help groups and SACCOs are linked to the office of cooperative
agency of the respective areas (copies of MoUs signed by the respective stakeholders is attached
as an appendix with this report).
In consultation with Kombolcha town administration and surrounding Woreda and through
observing Government COVID-19 guidelines regarding public gatherings, CHADET was able to
organize a project exit workshop on December 30,2021 that was held at in Golden Hotel. The
workshop brought together all key stakeholders drawn from government offices including
Tehuledere, Kalu, Dessie and Dessie zuria offices of education, Women and Children Affairs,
Finance and Economic Cooperation. Other participants include school principals, representatives
from CBOs, Saving groups Guardians of sponsored children, sponsored children and elders.
During the workshop CHADET presented the overall achievements and impacts of the project on
the lives of children and communities in the town of Kombolcha and its surrounding rural Kebeles.
Time was also allocated for beneficiaries and concerned government representatives to share their
opinion regarding the implementation of the project and the impact that it has brought on the lives
of project participants.
The mayor of Kombolcha town and members of the cabinet presided on the closing event and
handed over certificates for representatives of government offices institutions and individuals who
have made contributions for the success of the project. During the event, certificates were awarded
to government offices and other stakeholders who have contributed for the success of the project
over the years.
6. MAJOR CHALLENGES AND ACTIONS TAKEN
Development interventions inevitably face challenges originated as a result of the complex situation
and multiple factors that are emerging from within or outside of the project or due to both.
Likewise, this project has also been confronted with different kinds of risks from within and outside
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the control of the project. Some of the major challenges faced and attempts made to overcome the
challenges within the reporting period are presented as follows:
The emergence of covid-19 among others has been found to be a huge challenge when compared
with other problems. Almost all the activities that were being undertaken by CHADET were
affected during the pandemic as education is one of the most affected sectors during this time.
Following the reopening of schools, the government has made efforts to make up the lost time
through allocation of extra time to cover the missed lessons and encouraging parents to send their
children to school.
There was a challenge emerging from gaps in the level of awareness by project participants and
different stakeholders on expectations from the project. and what the project could deliver. The
project has undertaken preparatory activities in a form of consultation meetings with children, care
givers, leaders of CBOs and government and came up with sustainability plan to ensure that some
of the key activities of the project would continue even after the phasing out of the project.
7. LESSONS LEARNED
The government of Ethiopia has given special emphasis to quality education and to
meeting the MDGs. Even though significant success has been achieved in all areas of
education, especially in the enrolment of children at primary level education, highly
vulnerable children still have limited access to ECCE. Although there are limited number
of privately owned ECCEs in the Kombolcha area, most families from the lower income
bracket are not able to afford the high amount of fees required for enrollment. The
establishment and strengthening of ECCE centers by CHADET have, therefore, been
instrumental for creating access to children coming from poor households and
marginalized communities and for ensuring quality education.
Ensuring the active participation of the community in development projects and working
closely with concerned government stakeholders is instrumental for achieving the goals
of any project. CHADET has drawn significant lessons about the significance of
involving project participants and stakeholders right at the beginning and in the course of
implementation of any project for achieving the targets set by the project. This can be seen
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from the high degree of support and collaboration made by children, care givers,
PTA/SMCs, communities, and government agencies to the project.
Making proper arrangements with all stakeholders is of paramount importance for
ensuring the sustainability of any project. In this regard, creating linkages with institutions
that are permanent and mandated to oversee the different aspects of any project is useful.
Hence, CHADET has been able to sign MoUs with relevant stakeholders to ensure the
continuity of key activities of the project.
8. CONCLUSION
The CCDP project, implemented in five phases with the final phase ending in December 2021,
aimed to achieve three main objectives: ensuring access to quality primary and Early Childhood
Care and Education (ECCE), improving household food security and addressing nutritional needs,
and enhancing the capacities of community and partner organizations. Throughout the project,
CHADET collaborated with government agencies and community structures to ensure
sustainability.
Significant accomplishments were made in the areas of education and food security. Under the
education component, the project supported ECCE centers and primary schools by providing
scholastic materials, conducting training for facilitators, and engaging parents and communities in
the governance of ECCE. An Information Communication Technology (ICT) Center and library
services were also established. In terms of food security, the project focused on creating
opportunities for households to engage in agricultural and non-agricultural initiatives, including
establishing nurseries, providing seeds and seedlings, and offering technical support.
Overall, the CCDP successfully increased access to ECCE services, raised awareness of the
importance of ECCE, improved participation in ECCE governance, and enhanced food security
for vulnerable households. The project had a positive impact on the education and well-being of
children and families in Kombolcha and its surrounding areas.
With the completion of the project in December 2021, CHADET made arrangements for the
handover of project activities to relevant government and other stakeholders. The long-term
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partnerships established with government and community structures throughout the project
implementation have contributed to the sustainability of the project's outcomes.
In conclusion, the CCDP by CHADET has achieved its objectives and made significant
contributions to education and food security in the intervention area. The project's success is
attributed to the collaboration between CHADET, government agencies, and community
structures, as well as the active engagement of parents and communities. The positive impact on
children and families demonstrates the importance of integrated approaches to child and
community development.
9. RECOMMENDATIONS
1. Sustainability Planning: Since the CCDP project has come to an end, it is important for
CHADET to develop a sustainability plan to ensure that the achievements and progress made
during the project are maintained in the long run. This could involve working closely with
government agencies, community structures, and partner organizations to establish mechanisms
for continued support and funding for education, food security, and capacity building initiatives.
2. Monitoring and Evaluation: Implementing a robust monitoring and evaluation system is crucial
to assess the impact and effectiveness of the CCDP project. CHADET should continue monitoring
the access to quality primary and ECCE education, household food security, and the capacities of
community and partner organizations. Regular evaluations will help identify areas of improvement
and measure the long-term outcomes of the project.
3. Collaboration and Partnerships: CHADET should continue fostering collaboration and
partnerships with government agencies, community structures, and other stakeholders. This will
ensure the sustainability and scalability of the project's initiatives. Strengthening these
relationships will also help leverage additional resources and expertise to support the ongoing
development efforts in Kombolcha and its surrounding areas.
4. Community Engagement: CHADET should actively involve the community in decision-making
processes and project governance. This can be achieved through participatory approaches such as
Participatory Learning and Action (PLA) methods. Engaging parents, caregivers, and community
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members will foster a sense of ownership and increase the likelihood of project success and
sustainability.
5. Knowledge Sharing and Networking: CHADET should continue to promote knowledge sharing
and networking among stakeholders. This can be done through organizing workshops,
conferences, and training sessions where best practices, lessons learned, and innovative ideas can
be shared. Establishing partnerships with other organizations working in similar fields will also
provide opportunities for collaboration and learning from their experiences.
6. Continuous Capacity Building: It is important to invest in continuous capacity building for
CHADET staff, community members, and partner organizations. This will ensure that they have
the necessary skills, knowledge, and resources to effectively implement and manage development
initiatives. Training programs can focus on areas such as project management, education
techniques, agricultural practices, and financial management.
7. Adaptation to Changing Contexts: CHADET should remain adaptable to changing contexts and
emerging needs. Regular assessments of the socio-economic and educational landscape will help
identify new challenges and opportunities. This will enable CHADET to adjust its strategies and
interventions accordingly, ensuring that they remain relevant and responsive to the evolving needs
of the community.
These recommendations aim to support CHADET in its future endeavors and contribute to the
sustained development and well-being of children and families in Kombolcha and its surrounding
areas.
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