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The lessons learnt
1. That there is much that the community can do without outside help,
merely by harnessing the power of the resources of finance and manpower that
that community has. For example the MRf 8,000 spend on constructing the koshi
for the fish waste, and the laying of the shallow sewer lines by the
community (costing perhaps MRf, 30-50,000 each) are
not small commitments. And of course the MRf 1,500
being paid by each household for lateral connection to be made to the main
line are expressions of confidence they have on the sewer pipe owner for
having their interests addressed on keeping the sewer unclogged and open.
2. Thatthese efforts can build
community confidence and future inputs of greater significance. The
convergence of community confidence can do many wonderful things to the
spirit of the community. This is a necessary convergence of community
inter-dependence that we may need to build up while we focus on greater
individual independence.
3. That picking up doable things first will help us gain more confidence
that we can do many things ourselves. Outside help when given for things that
the community cannot do themselves, is much better appreciated.
4. Health is derived not from tangible things alone. This is well expressed by many
who expressed that having good health may be achieved by changing our habits,
not merely from having a hospital or health center nearby. They (the
community) were appreciative of the advice they got from health center and
the hospital. The difference between the care the hospital gives and the care
that one has to exercise themselves for their own health is apparently
becoming clearer. The financial contribution to laying the sewer and the
changing habit of throwing garbage to selected collection locations in the
island attest to this view point. One fisherman in pleasant surprise noted
the care that some take to see that household garbage is taken to the dump
site at the edge of the island even late at night. So he felt that better
lighting needed to be provided near the site for those who have to go there
at night time.
5. Gentle orientation/awareness creation is better than admonition for
getting the community to comply with health norms. This was also expressed at one
of the focus group discussions – It is observed that when receiving
admonitions from the atoll office, perpetrators often tend to feel defensive
and confrontational and little desire to comply. On the other hand, the
community women’s groups that have gone on home visits to explain the
concerns and solicit support for compliance have done much better to engender
the cooperation of the community in many areas (proper solid waste disposal,
fish waste disposal to the deep sea, regular visits to antenatal care etc).
6. Positive comments provide good incentive. Many people mentioned that they
were very motivated to keep the island clean and the water tanks in good
order especially when they receive positive comments on the cleanliness of
the island from visitors to Villingili. Perhaps
frequent positive feedback is necessary (from whatever source) to keep
motivation well oiled.
7. The community needs better coordinated support from the central
level. If this
is done, there would be much better progress – ie
nurtured by the feeling that the work that they (the community) do is being
appreciated and supported. The follow up requests for advice from Ministry of
Environment, and from Ministry of Agriculture on the kuli,
the koshi, issues and the plant disease issues
respectively will motivate the community very much. This needs to be
seriously pursued.
The next phase
The next two-year phase (2004-5) will focus on, expanding the Villingili experience to other islands in the Atoll. For
a start three islands have been identified namely Kolamaafushi,
Maamemdhoo, and Gemanafushi.
The process would entail, preparing plans of action for these three islands
as was done in Villingili island, and proceed with
a similar managerial process. However, it is anticipated that the issues,
strategies and work methods would differ by island, depending on the
resources and community practices used for participatory community action.
Mr Mohamed Naseer (the Healthy
Atoll Coordinator for the Atoll) has been given the mandate to facilitate
this process. Also to facilitate preparation of the updated next phase plans
for Villingili. These are slated to be completed by
mid 2004. New possible targets for
2004-5 are mentioned in the matrix included in this report – these are only
recommendations arising from the review findings.
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