 |
| Meeting with the local leaders |
<Progress of each activity>
Activity1.1 A community-based
radio communication system established with ability to relay information and
messages via megaphones/loudspeakers to the entire training Centre
In
order to set up community radio we need to have a well proofed house/room which
is designed to fit the purpose. For every community system, an individual or
organization is supposed to get permission from government of Uganda. In order
to achieve that above activity, SORAK has been advised that it is not good and
possible to start such a system of megaphone in a village where there is
already one. This started in October 2021, a few weeks before approval of this
project. SORAK has also been advised by Uganda
Communication Commission Engineer that in future should think about
starting an FM community radio instead of megaphones. SORAK is therefore using the existing
megaphone community radio called the voice of Lusalira to start to create
awareness about proper garbage management. A house where to set up a radio is
being rehabilitated and it’s based in Kibalinga Subcounty where was seen as the
best location. A radio station was preferred in this case because it covers a
wide range of areas yet it’s sound tends to be clearer compared to that of
megaphones.
Activity 1.2 Thirty (30) minutes’
environmental education talks conducted for 10 months
The
Project Team conducted 3 talk shows on an existing megaphone in Lusalira
attended by the Director, Project Manager and the Project Officer. Two talk
shows were conducted on the 9th, 16th Feb. 2022 and one
on the 9th Mar. 2022. This was intended to create awareness about
proper garbage collection in the Community. The team learnt that the population
in Lusalira trading Centre lacked knowledge and awareness of the damage being
created by the indiscriminate disposal of waste on environment deterioration
which called for sensitization via Megaphones to educate the community about
how to manage waste and keep the community clean.
 |
| Project team during awareness raising about proper garbage disposal and environmental protection via an existing community-based megaphone |
Activity 1.3 An environmental education and
awareness raising jingle/spot message aired 5 times a day
SORAK
plans to compose and play these via the FM radio undergoing establishment. We
have signed contract with a company to help us established a community FM
radio. It is proposed that the radio has to be established between march and
July 2022. Once this is done, we shall
have a better opportunity to compose and air jingles/spot messages that help to
create awareness on garbage management and the project.
Activity 2.1 Ten (10) garbage containers/skips
procured and stationed at 5 different places to encourage and support garbage
sorting and safe disposal.
SORAK
plans to make bylaws with the sub-county. It is after this that 10 garbage
containers will be bought and placed in sub-county authorized places for easy
access by community members to dispose of garbage. And in order to motivate the
sub-county to move fast on making by-laws that support the project, SORAK plans
to buy these containers by end of April.
Activity 3.1 A community based environmental protection monitoring group
established and it is active in monitoring and reporting safe garbage disposal
and sorting in Lusalira trading Centre.
The Project team had a meeting with the local leaders on the 1st Feb. 2022 with the aim of introducing the project to them. The agenda to the meeting included; self-introductions, opening prayer, purpose of the meeting, opening remarks from the sub county Speaker, open discussion and way forward.
As
SORAK waits for the planned sub-county by-law formulation meetings, it
conducted a meeting with the local leaders and community representatives and
established a garbage monitoring committee.
A community based
environmental protection monitoring group was selected on the 8th
Feb. 2022 and it is active in monitoring and reporting safe garbage disposal
and sorting in Lusalira trading Centre.
A garbage monitoring committee is composed of 9 members (6 females and 3 males). It comprises of youth and women with the Youth Council at Sub County level being selected as the chairperson of the committee. Their role is to oversee and come up with strategies of proper garbage disposal to ensure that Lusalira trading centre is clean.
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| Meeting with the local leaders |
Activity 3.2 Safe garbage disposal by-laws are
made and enforced.
The Director met
the Subcounty Speaker /Head of Council seating and was given programme for
meetings meant to debate and make by-laws on garbage handling and disposal.
This happened in January 2022. The subcounty speaker gave guidance that it was
wise to first make by-laws and then commence with training of community members
on garbage sorting as well as locating garbage containers. It was noted that
containers would be put to a better use and protection after passing of the
by-laws.
It is after this that garbage containers will
be bought and placed in subcounty authorized places.
Strict laws and
penalties will be put to avoid misuse of these garbage containers and enable
proper waste disposal in the community. SORAK has already agreed with the
sub-county council to have these by-laws made during the meetings that will be
happening in the planning period that happens towards the end of the government
of Uganda financial in July and starting from August to September during the
participatory local government planning period.
<NEXT PLAN>
·
Installation of a radio system to be
accomplished by 30th /June/2022
·
Procurement of garbage containers and
placing them in the selected areas to be done by 1st/ May/2022
<Positive influences/ Changes>
·
The subcounty
speaker promised to lead the process of tabling the idea of introducing by-laws
on garbage disposal
·
The listeners
during the talk shows were impressed about the project initiative and
appreciated the team for their efforts to ensure that the trading centre is
clean. This was evidenced by the calls made to the SORAK Director, manager and
the host where people who had been listening in thanked the team for the
project.
<Challenges
faced during the conduct of February activities >
·
Poor time management by the local leaders
though we managed to progress with the program through being patient and
waiting for them till they arrived and we started the meeting
·
Too
much expectations from the local leaders though we conceived them that the
community cleanliness is the most important point so we had to focus on that.
·
Delays in getting feedback on the
necessary requirements for operating a community radio.
·
Delays in the council seating which
hinders implementation of project work but the project team is hopeful that
April the seating will help to considered the project activities especially
concerning making of by-laws or at least regulations.
<Lessons Learnt>
1- It was
learnt that it is not easy to operate a community radio without approvals from
the government authorities and this takes some good time.
2- Project that
involves formulation of laws, policies and by-laws for this particular need not
to be rushed. This is because they involve careful involving and careful
working with the leaders (political and technical) who are always keen and
careful at making laws which at sometimes could antagonize them with the people
they lead.
3- SORAK
proposes if acceptable from the GBN side that; It would be important to make
relevant adjustments in the project in the following ways;
a)
The money for establishing
this megaphone could be used to buy more garbage containers
b) To use the
money meant for megaphone radio expenses to cost share on the FM radio. SORAK would also take
on the suggestion of the Uganda communication commission engineer to start an
FM radio. This is however more costly/ expensive compared to a community
megaphone and it is more expensive costing about
18,000$. In this case SORAK has started to fundraising for this and hope by July the FM radio will be ready.
These two suggestions
await views from GBN but the fact remains that SORAK will go with board
resolution to start FM radio station by looking for more resources from other
sources and partners.
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