2022年4月25日月曜日

【Environmental Protection】Activity Report2022 Jan-Feb Promoting clean environment through environmental education and garbage collection 

 

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.

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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*This project is is supported by the fund form TAISEI CORPORATION

【Environmental Protection】Activity Report 2021 Nov-Dec Promoting clean environment through environmental education and garbage collection 

 

The outgoing of the sub county also making his remarks to the council meeting and the project.

<Activities conducted>

1. Photography and video documentation of the garbage disposal situation before the implementation of activities on 11th/November/2021

SORAK staff conducted this activity in November 2021 to show the situation of garbage disposal in the target area. Photos and video documentation were taken and shared with GBN. It is hoped that this project would improve the area by making sure that no more garbage is dumped and accumulates to that level in order to prevent diseases like cholera in the community and enhance proper safe garbage management.

This is found in Lusalira trading centre around or near restaurants, homes and parking spaces.

2. Introducing the project to the Kibalinga sub county council 
The Executive Director SORAK attended the council meeting that was closing the year 2021 and had the opportunity to talk about the project in the council. 
The sub county speaker and Chairperson were all thankful for this project. They requested SORAK Director to plan meetings related to making by-laws in the following year (2022). 

SORAK Executive Director listening to the sub-county speaker before he was given the opportunity to speak and introduce the project.

Sub county speaker happy and making remarks about the project.

<NEXT PLAN>
  • Meeting the sub-county Speaker to be given a programme for meetings meant to debate and make by-laws on garbage handling and disposal
  • Engaging in a meeting with the rest of the local leaders to discuss about the project implementation
  • Conducting three community radio talk shows using a Megaphone in Lusalira 
  • Selection of the monitoring committee on proper garbage disposal to be conducted

<Positive influences/ Changes>
  • The sub-county local leaders were so happy to learn about the project and welcomed it as well as promised to support the project implementation processes. 
  • The sub county speaker promised to lead the process of tabling the idea of introducing by-laws on garbage disposal
  • The three local leaders agreed with the Director to hold a meeting with the rest of the sub county leaders at the beginning of the year 2022

<Challenges faced during the conduct of November/December activities >
  • Few activities were conducted since the year was ending but we managed through conducting two activities as we waited for the new year to proceed with the rest of the project activities
  • The three local leaders showed high expectations but the Director advised them to concentrate on the health of the community members and the cleanliness of the environment

<Lessons Learnt>
1- It was learnt that starting of project implementation need to be done at the beginning and in the middle of the year because at the end of the year many holidays are involved making it hard to reach target authorities which lead to few activities being conducted and pushing the rest to the coming new year.



↓↓↓Click on the following link to view related reports



*This project is is supported by the fund form TAISEI CORPORATION