The propose project of building High School in Aweil funded by Aweil community members abroad is about to missed it way as a successful dreams and disappear in the middle of the journey if not urgently rescue. People are today talking about it but no actual progress is made. In fact, the project lack basic criteria of a standard planned project. There is no strong will and no strong management team commited to carry out the project. Adittion to these, no strong communities support abroad.
The reasons for all these is that, the project was brought into the public just like that, lacking all procedures and without more explanation. There was no disscussion done on the topic, nor reasons why we need to build specifically High School rather than Basic School. Those who came up with the idea didn't even say something about whether it is abussines or a donation, whether we are just funding the establishment of the building or we will be involves in running the school. The communities members were not told about how much is needed and how long the project will take to see the light. The only thing that we were told is that, "we want to built a high School in Aweil". How and when were not answer.
Does this sound convincing or formal? Did people who came up with this idea think abit before presenting it to the members? Does this way show how we can carry out project? A lot of questions are there to be ask, but the important questions is that, will this project of building High School in Aweil obtain the certificate of establishmnent?
Absolutely no. Not even the children will hear about it, if much is not done to put it back on the right track. We have to work together to make it happen. We should be clear and official about what we want to do and who shall do it. Here are some suggesstions that may help our dream come true.
DECISIONS TO BE TAKEN:
People who initiated the project must take serious decisions and give up their dream of managing the project themselves unless appointed by the General Assemly due to to his/her management skills and commitment.
communities leaders/chairpersons/presidents and executives must not be included in managemnet team. If qualify to do the job, she/he have to resigned from coommunity body post.
community bodies must not be resposible directly in the project.
Elders must be excluded from manegment team unless indivdual is qualify for that post.
Every member of the community must feel responsible and committed.
The reasons for these points is to make sure that every body is involves and committed, and that people who will excute the project are well qualify with more knowlege in mangement and have ability to communicate in various ways. We should avoid chosing people on the basis of just being a community leader or an elder.
FIRST STAGE:
Three people named"Manegement Team" have to be chosen each from Australia, Canada & USA to be resposible for the entire project.They must have good values, respected by the community members and with good knowledge and understanding. Management skills is essential and some experienced or knowledge in education sector. Their duties will be making a draft of the whole project answering the questions that were not answered. Before doing so they must go to Aweil or atleast two to collect some basic imformation, like where will the project be suitated. They must also talk with the government and see how the goverment will help in building and running of the school. It is their duty also to estimate the the amout needed through their meeting with contractors. This mangemnt team must also try to involves some educational experts and teachers by making some consultations and chosing two local experts to help.
SECOND STAGE:
When the team is back, they will start to formalised their findings in a very clear document showing all steps,procedures, funding needed, length of time needed for the whole project and how it will be run. Each one from three elected people will then started to sell the project to the members of the communities where ever they live.(Aust. Can. or USA). Each will then be supported by a team of five people, A trusted treasurer, very organised secretary,good information secretary and two influential members with strong speaking ability. Each will do so in his/her country and then help community members of each state to chose their represntatives(Three men team - Each National body lead by a man from three man team- then states bodies). These bodies will have objectives of informing and mobolising the communities and collecting individual contributions. They will also organised fund raising and apply for government assistance where ever they live.
THIRD STAGE:
When the needed fund is obtained or atleast half of it, then the three men team will fly back to Aweil and start the project while the steering team will continue to collect fund.
FOURTH STAGE:
When the project start sucessfully , the three men will go back to their destinations and start with each one collecting fund for specific purpose. Each communitty will collect fund for furnitures, other for books and student equipments and the third community will collect fund for trainning teachers and administrators. This group must make sure that foreign expert is hire to train the teachers and set a standard curricullum in cooperation with Ministry of Education.
Here then come the last and joyful stage, our dreams has come true. The best high school in the horn of African is OPEN. Many clever studentS are admitted. All graduate with excellent knowlege, many join most famous Universities in the World.They graduate as Doctors,Engieers , Economists, etc. Then they are back, our people life changes. Imagine and imagine and imagine.................
This is how it should work or that will be how it should vanish.
