Topics included:
- Exit strategies
- Energy production from waste products
- Common questions asked in interviews
- How to work with translators?
- Business case?
- Seeking pit latrine alternatives
- Sphere in a day
Can you offer any insights or pointers to useful information/contacts on these topics? Thank you.
Responses to the previous questions are summarised below. Please continue the discussions online at Aid Workers Forum or e-mail exchange@aidworkers.net
New Questions
EXIT STRATEGIES
Sally writes from China. She is looking for examples of good exit strategies, in particular phasing out over a number of years. http://oldforum.aidworkers.net/messages/124/10726.html
ENERGY PRODUCTION FROM WASTE PRODUCTS
Georgi asks for suggestions on producing energy from wood and agricultural waste. http://oldforum.aidworkers.net/messages/141/10730.html
COMMON QUESTIONS IN JOB INTERVIEWS
Jason just got his master's in International Development and has a job interview next week. He asks "are there any typical questions asked in an interview for an NGO that are not asked in any other field and/or are there ways and things I should include in my response?" http://oldforum.aidworkers.net/messages/116/10773.html
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Responses
HOW TO WORK WITH TRANSLATORS?
Berhane points out the distinction between translators (written word) and interpreters (spoken word). Try to use the same person and establish a rapport. The interpreter needs to have people skills. Turn the need for an interpreter into an opportunity to train a staff member, Claire says. She used student nurses in hospital as interpreters while training them in assessment and patient-communication skills. Barney's simple rule is to look the person in the eye and speak as though there were no interpreter there (but allowing translation time). Among Joshua's tips is to ask questions that have a specific answer. It’s better to ask, How many trucks and how old are they? than, Do you have trucks? That way, you know if your question got lost in translation. He’s found it helps to apologize for not speaking the language. Paul reminds us of the difficult nature of interpreters’ jobs and that they might fatigue quickly. http://oldforum.aidworkers.net/messages/116/50.html
BUSINESS PLAN?
Professionals4Free’s website has a guide on writing a business plan. They help voluntary and community groups looking for free help from professionals. Alex suggests looking for information on budgeting for NGO projects, since that’s a main aim of business planning. A place to start is Mango’s website. Sieneke recommends the Resource Alliance, which helps NGOs gain independence from outside donors. http://oldforum.aidworkers.net/messages/142/10706.html
SEEKING PIT LATRINE ALTERNATIVES
Everyone seems to agree that an above-ground technique is the solution on a rocky plateau. The suggested options are: composting toilets, but they’re expensive, says Chance; squat-type facilities that flush into 4-stage poly tanks; raised latrines above an empty water tank; and the Vietnamese double-vault latrine, suggested by Woldu. The double-vault latrine is small, relatively cheap, and the composting process is fast. For the coast, Mayor says the simplest solution is for individuals to scoop a hole in the sand. Dmitri cautions that plastic tanks in sand might need masonry support. http://oldforum.aidworkers.net/messages/141/10738.html
SPHERE IN A DAY
The Sphere project aims to improve the quality of assistance provided to people affected by disasters and has formulated guidelines for aid workers that are a set of minimum standards in each of the key life-sustaining sectors: water supply and sanitation, nutrition, food aid, shelter, and health services. The guidelines help aid workers in assessments, problem analysis, program planning, monitoring, and evaluations. Sphere also provides a learning process to improve your effectiveness as an aid worker using the Sphere guidelines. http://oldforum.aidworkers.net/messages/258/10767.html
Aid Workers Exchange 18-JUN-03 ISSN 1478-5137
People affected by disaster and are facing with lots of fundamental necessity should be considered as a focal problem. Lack of proper sanitation, nutrition and food and health service can create rather difficult situation. Randomly planning and increment of slum is one of the core issues of health hazard. Physician Jobs and nursing facilities should be provided smoothly to overcome the possible communicable and non-communicable diseases.