In November 2013, five Project Redwood partners traveled to Nicaragua to visit the sites of several funded projects.
Dave Fletcher in Nicaragua with local water committee leaders, Yadira and Liseth.
One of the things that impressed me about our trip to Nicaragua was that if our affiliated non-government-organizations are well-connected and knowledgeable, then our grant dollars and efforts can be highly leveraged and effective.
Project Redwood grantee Compatible Technology International (CTI) has spent countless hours developing close relationships in Nicaragua with local health authorities and local water committees. The early going for CTI was slow and laborious, but their pioneering work has gotten them to the point where they are now able to quickly and efficiently install new systems as needs arise, and collaborate effectively with other organizations, such as EOS International (another non-profit developing low cost technologies that better the lives of the poor), there fore greatly accelerating the installation of chlorination systems in Nicaragua.
Self Help International (SHI) has spent twelve years in Nicaragua finding good people, honing training techniques, and learning about local needs. Their first community training center at Los Chiles did so well that the local farmers it served were able to buy it and take over its operation as a demonstration site and commercial center. Now, SHI now another thriving training and demonstration facility, in Quinta Lidia. The rapid success there is due in large part to the deep knowledge gained by SHI in the development of its first facility. The goal with Quinta Lidia is a similar transfer of ownership to its local community.
The lesson for me is that if Project Redwood wants the greatest output from its inputs, ie “bang for its bucks,” and wants to ensure that our funds are utilized wisely, we should try in the pre-screening or grant-review processes to understand the depth and breadth of in-courntry experience our potential grantees can demonstrate.
Other thoughts, observations, and ideas:
- The positive and respectful relationships shared by CTI and local health authorities, local water committees, and other non-government organizations is fundamental to the adoption of CTI’s systems in Nicaragua
- The passion and enthusiasm generated by CTI employes, particularly Wes Meier (title) and Sergio Romero Senior and Junior (titles), give energy and momentum to their respective programs.
- CTI chlorinator deployments in Nicaragua are not primarily technology-driven efforts. Technologies must be appropriate, very affordable and effective, but adoption requires extensive hard work in the field.
- CTI and SHI are effective primarily due to the quality and commitment of their in-country staffs.
- Successful implementation of new technologies or ideas requires enthusiasm, trust-building, repeated education, and constant evangelizing.
- When Project Redwood funds a new project, we should strongly encourage a site visit by the project sponsor and two or three classmates.
- Trips such as our recent one should be encouraged for other projects.
- Should we look into incorporating Project Redwood programs into (or as an addition to) Stanford’s successful travel programs?
- Project Redwood should require more from project sponsors; one important contribution could be sponsor development of an action plan for his/her grantee.
- We should consider helping our grantees develop compelling stories for use by other organizations, such as Universal Giving and Global Giving.
- Project Redwood might help grantees develop a three-year funding plan, with the goal of the grantee achieving fund-raising self-sufficiency in that time.
- We should work on developing a short statement about what differentiates Project Redwood from other charities and funding sources.