WASH Competence in the interior locations of Suriname
Fonds Ontwikkeling Binnenland (FOB)
In Suriname, the Community Life Competence Process is applied to Water and Sanitation in 6 clusters, including 15 communities. This in the context of a partnership between Constellation, UNICEF Suriname, Fonds Ontwikkeling Binnenland (FOB), Red Cross and Peace Corps. The approach of the Constellation blended seemingly with another community based approach called PHAST.
The first learning event took place in April 2011. During this 6 day event, Constellation coaches trained facilitators who will then pass on the skills of the integrated WASH approach to a team of community mobilizers who will then implement the approach in their own setting. This will be supported within Suriname by the Red Cross and the FOB team.
“I have struggled in communities to know how to work. To move from providing answers or solutions to genuine participation and ownership is what I am eager to learn”, said Ashlee, a Peace Corp Volunteer.
The training followed a step-by-step process which integrated CLCP and WASH techniques to build relationship, a shared dream, a self-assessment and a plan for response. Each step combined theory with practical exercises among the participants.
In July, two coaches mentored trainers and facilitators who stimulate local ownership on WASH Competence (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) in 16 villages.
The coaches and trainers split up in two groups, one visited Upper Upper Suriname and one in Upper Suriname. They each did SALT visits and refresher courses.
Some villages, like Wanhatti, are already taking action: “This village was so stimulated they started implementation of some actions before the actually developed their action plan. Local response and ownership have begun! Garbage receptacles are in place since the dream building and self assessment of WASH”.
