International Volunteer Report-April to June 2006

International Volunteer Report from April to June 2006
Prepared by Sarah Fowler smfowsy@gmail.com
(photo of a blurry amehdi the house keeper in my ensuite bathroom at dr. Jane's house)
My involvement with the Roots & Shoots activities in Tanzania

· Participate in water use and policy discussion hosted by US embassy at Protea hotel on April 21, 2006, Earth Day event.
· Organize a beach clean up on msasani beach April 22, 2006 for local residence and international students; later reported in the Citizen
· Prepare entry form and press release of Photo & Art contest
· Seek out local business for sponsorship and prize donation
· Distribute forms to schools and community spaces
· Teach project and team management seminar at leadership camp, 100 students hosted at the house.
· Document on film various actiivtes including Yatima youth at camp
· Participate in Usiku Mtoto- African child day- June 14, 2006
· Visit Dar Independent School (DIS) to assist in setting up Roots & shoots club in primary section, talk with the secondary students about re-organizing the community service group to have 4 years activities, plant-animal –human –peace. Last day of school event with beach clean up, vote and art
· Participate in staff review and performance appraisal by submitting feedback.
· Prepare response letter to WWF, which was later abandoned
General Office feedback
Constructive criticism I have for the entire office functions is increased communications on the whole, and between the Dar staff. A Roots & Shoots; Tanzania newsletter would facilitate better cohesion throughout the country but a separate position of communications / public relations officer may be needed. This person would also be the contact for local press agencies and sponsors to further increase exposure of activities organized by the office or the students.

I have no doubts that every member of the Dar es Salaam; JGI team is involved with Roots & Shoots ideology and actions, however I have observed that no one knows what each other is doing. All strong personalities moving forward on separate projects means that team work and skill sharing is minimized. Please understand that my foreign perspective may not be viewing the entire inter-office working, but my experience has been that increased communication would be beneficial.
A regular, weekly meeting of one hour would allow the cross pollination of projects and a general cohesion in the work done by the office. This would also help to integrate future international volunteers and give an overview of what can be expected in the coming week. I enjoyed the meeting that was held when Dr. Jane had first arrived on June 13, 2006, all members of the team gave a brief caption as to the work most pertinent to them, and examples of ways that they might be able bind their work to that of others; facilitating more cooperation and team building. We all know that by working together we can accomplish much more than by separating our efforts. This way each action has more breadth and knowledge can be shared. Something I find ineffective is the way each activity must be promoted only by the person who is spearheading it, and if there is a basic inquiry made to another team members, answers are difficult to find. To host a weekly meeting in the library would be a best practice to adopt so each member can express their project then receive feedback and support. This would help promotion and presence in the community because each member would be briefed on each activity on a weekly basis, thus increasing awareness. Also different skill sets could be better utilized and wasted effort and time would be minimized. A personal example from my work with Roots & Shoots is trying to have other team members distribute the press release, to increase awareness and participation in the art-photo contest. I had tried to present a brief written explanation to Erasto so he could use one minute of the time he had on the Femina talk show to let a larger audience know where to get more information if interested in the contest. While one can certainly still focus on their own priorities it would be helpful to cross promote the work of other team member, should these opportunities arise.

Art & Photo contest:

Primary objective: to engage all age groups by combining art and environmental awareness with a focus on self generated fundraising. The intention was to build a city wide model (which students could then scale down to fit there school’s activities) which funds for Dar es Salaam students were raised within the community, promoting sustainability.

Goals
Monetary
Fundraise 50 000tsh from the local Dar es Salaam community to go towards an educational excursion for primary school students
Exhibit more of an active presence in the market domain and explore the history that JGI Roots & Shoots has in Tanzania

Community
Engage people of all ages, using the vehicle of art, in observation, appreciation and conservation of our shared environment.
Promote intercity communication between schools on both primary and secondary levels; as well as that with the Roots & Shoots office
Local business support of art and Roots & Shoots in the community

Media
Facilitate media involvement and representation for Roots & Shoots activities, by establishing a press release system and open line of communications with major newspapers and circulations.

Student centered activitity
Empower children to create art using whatever tools at hand
Expand the understanding of art to poetry, sculpture, film etc
Allowing the exchange of ideas to surpass mere technical skills.
Imparting an attitude of equality, compromise and team work
Introducing the system of democratic representation, which can further be employed in appointing officers in Roots & Shoots clubs
Facilitate a voting system where by they may learn that all voices deserve to be heard in a equal and fair forum

Participants
· Photo- adult
Gil Medina
Chris Argo

· Photo- child
Atick, Tehya, primary students from DIS

· Art ( all mediums)
Francis Shuku, Sarah, Angela, students from Hopal primary school

· Jury
PHB, Felix, Pius, James, Yuda, Vincent Vitalis, Raphael Kiendo, Peter Lazar, Zurekha Kibombo, Rose, James, Hawa Hamisi, Veneranda Mkama, Hellen Thoja, Shomaly Mathayo, Sherman, Ibrahim Saidi, Kenny Juma, Ladislans Alex, Gerry, Njege, Asha, Jeniva Jackson, Rose, Samson, Mwanahamisi.H.Lungole, Asha, Omary, Hassan Amiry, Michael Shao, Thomas, Beda, Sarah Mrunku, Stephen, Rahma Mohammedi, Saidi Salehe, Jauth Christopher, Seif Haruna, Frank Shimo, Rahimu Ibrahimu, Marium Seifh, Yolanda John, Shirma E, Adwan Soloka, gardencia Cleophace, Fatma Ramadhani, Angeline Nrko, Estherollian Kirarzi, Tatu Said, Velen John, Shabiamu Aman,
Victor Thomas, Adam Mjungi, Jackson Kawishe, Issack Shaba, Godfrey, Ruth, Vanessa, Devy, Terry, Khadya, Jonathan, Abdiel, Varnett, Honorina, Nadia, Sarika, Janina, Peter, Ankit, Francis, Nuru, Junior, Charles T. Anthony, Noni, Dudley, Pamela, Tabea, Jamila, Shaana, Doreen, Maria, Catherine, Brian, Agnes, Norma, Amreen, Kimberley, Evelyn, Megan, Nkeno, Jacqueline, Alvin, Abhel, Lorenzo, Aristotle, Nenkondo, Bernaette, Lilian, Karen Huang, Norah Wilson, Franisca, Annisa, Shewa M., Grant Kawo, Seame O.

Total reach= upwards of 200 people

Finances

Adult photo Tanzania shillings
24 000
28 000
Children Photo
500
Art –all ages
10 000
1000
Total raised 63 500 tsh
EXPENSES – all eligible receipts submitted (11 000)
Balance 52 500tsh



Project Evaluation

Possible Improvements include but are not limited to…..
· greater reach into the Roots & Shoots clubs network
· world wide participation with regional prize categories
· extend to allow the global winners design artwork for JGI publication, which also could be used as a fundraiser (calendar or postcards for sale on the website )
· annual contest designed to build momentum, sponsorship, reach and participation each year
· more connection with local business and media
· Publication of winners in newspaper or Dar guide.
· Improved prizes

Proposed timeline for future fundraiser

January
Send a call for sponsorship, letter to potential business to facilitate donated prizes, money or in kind services in exchange for advertisement on the entry form

February
Connect with DTP about sponsoring the printing (contact Tina)
Allow for revisions and printing turn around time

April 3- opening of contest, Dr. Jane’s Birthday
Distribute entry forms to schools, news outlets, shops etc

World environment day. June 5th
Early bird deadline
Allow exhibition and voting to start in house his day; I give incentive for early entry.

African Child day- June 16th.
Last day to vote for winners of contest.

July-Contact winners- distribute prizes, alert media, etc