For any project to be successful, beneficiaries must be fully involved from the planning phase through implementation, and feedback gotten even after project execution. This participatory approach helps to build trust, sustainability, and real-time learning. It guarantees evidence-based decision-making and ensures better resource allocation.
Understanding the importance of a good feedback mechanism, South Saharan Social Development Organization in partnership with WaterAid Nigeria conducted a Community voices event across project communities in Enugu state. This event helped gather the perspectives, opinions, and experiences of community members on the impact of project activities, thus guaranteeing inclusion and addressing local needs.
Since the construction of the water facilities in the communities, there’s been a reduction in infectious diseases, children attend school early, and hygiene practices have improved.
A woman from Umuabor community shared, “Before the construction of the borehole, my kids and I used to trek 5km to Ibede to fetch water. This affected their education as they went late to school. They also fell ill frequently because we didn’t have the luxury to use water to clean up at critical times. But now they go to school early and their hygiene and health have improved too.”
