:Title:    THE SUDAN EXPEDITION PROJECT – the best way forward
:Author:   Eric Wanjamah (thank you all) (CCAL30)
:Date:     Sat, 02 Jun 2007 02:39:05 PDT
:Modified: Fri, 08 Jun 2007 06:29:03 PDT
:URL:      http://www.omidyar.net/group/expeditions/news/6/

The Onet community has consistently supported the Sudan project where some of us here in Kenya have volunteered in the area of teacher training. The project was given the community favorite award and it is currently on-going. Originally, the project had six interns (Moses, Francis, Monica, Josephine, Samuel and I) who volunteered during the first phase and everyone wanted to go back for the subsequent phases but limited funding shattered their wishes. Behind the scenes there have been quarrels and ill feelings between Moses on one hand and the rest of the group over the criteria for selecting interns for the teacher training phases. I feel obligated to highlight the same and clear the impression that all is going well. Moses has had the privilege of attending the three phases while I attended two. The rest of the group has felt like the project was hijacked and bad blood developed to the extent that friendship bonds are on the verge of disintegrating. 


As a concerned party, I feel the Onet community should take charge of this project and own it. Demand accountability and transparency through a committee that scrutinizes the project, its budget, sets out a selection criterion for those to conduct training and resolves grievances that arises. As things stand, Moses Kariuki has a final say which encourages corruption and under hand dealings. There is no laid mechanism for appeal which leaves disgruntled parties bitter to the end. He selects the number and also the names of who to attend which phase of training yet in the beginning he was meant to be a team leader. He is prejudiced as witnessed by his recent selection of a close friend and village mate (Daniel Kariuki) to attend the training at the expense of others with prior experience. 


It is clear from the previous teacher training phases that USD 5,000 caters for a single intern for a period of between 2-4 months in Sudan. This explains why about USD 30,000 made it possible for 6 interns to attend the first phase and USD 10,000 for 2 interns to attend the second phase. Questions are therefore arises why with a donation of USD 15,000 from the Onet community, only 2 interns are conducting the training. The programs being carried out include      child education and women empowerement and it would definately be a good idea if one participant is a female.


This project is changing lives and having been there twice, the results are encouraging. Education is being imparted and it is my wish that this project continues for a long time to achieve maximum results. Let us cultivate a project that is above reproach and unquestionable, open like the conferences that have been organized here before. The practice of having one individual decide who conducts training is raising suspicions. It creates avenues for nepotism and corruption which are vices so rooted in our society and the reason for Africa’s woes. Let’s join hands to eradicate the same by encouraging a democratic forum where all echo their opinions and do not feel intimidated or that the views of some are held in high regard as opposed to those of others. Democracy is best practiced in all areas including this vibrant online community. 



Please contribute ideas on how best this project can be managed. I also invite Onet members to come forth, create a thread and volunteer to be in a committee that will oversee the future implementation of the Sudan project.