Ebola in Liberia

At Networklearning we have been watching events in the Middle East unfold over the last six months – a sometimes uplifting, sometimes sad story, with its ending still unclear. But what shines out is that our sisters and brothers in the region are fighting for more democratic governance and more ability at the grass roots to influence events. Our small contribution: » New Arabic language edition of Interviewing and Counselling at the Grass roots . » We also have an updated edition of An Introduction to Human Rights in the Middle East & North Africa – a Guide for NGOs available in both English and Arabic. » For more Arabic language manuals and resources, see our Arabic page

Here at Networklearning we have found another reason to like checklists. They are a great way of ensuring good training and improving the way professionals do their work. And now a checklist is saving lives. A study carried in eight hospitals across the world has found that using one during major operations cut deaths and complications by more than a third. It ensured that the surgical team checked that they had the right patient, checked that all the swabs and forceps were removed before the patient was sewn up, and so on. Has your organisation developed any checklists for your own workers? We would be very interested to hear about any improvements it has made. Source: news.bbc.co.uk

We are delighted to offer a new edition of our popular guest publication about employment in the humanitarian sector. ‘Better Ways to Succeed in Aid and Development Work’ is a thoroughly informative guide to ‘getting started, getting in and getting on’. » Download directly from the Library Also newly revised, including extra information and appendices: » Better Ways to Stay Healthy in Asian Tropics . Thanks to Bryan Walker for providing these.

We have been contacted by a colleague who works in Nagpur, India. She told us about the work her NGO is doing with urban spaces. The needs (rights) for children to play can be partly met by making parks safe, pleasant and used. The NGO has worked with the community to upgrade eight parks. Some of the parks have also had further work to make them accessible for disabled kids. This sounds like a great development field which is new to us. More info: http://www.esafindia.org/livable-cities-india.html and https://livablecitiesindia.wordpress.com

Social Centre for Humanitarian services, Agriculture and Environmental Protection (SCHAEP) development program [ History ] [ Purpose ] [ Objectives ] [ Activities ] [ Partners ] HISTORY OF THE ORGANISATION Liberalization in Cameroon’s economy has led to the abandonment of farmers to unscrupulous market forces – forced to buy expensive farm inputs and sell their produce at giveaway prices. SCHAEP was launched as a capacity-building organization to assist farmers in Kumba to control, manage and benefit from the proceeds of their labour. As members of the community living the experience, the following problems were diagnosed by SCHAEP’s working team: Lack of organization amongst the farmers and hence poor communication. Poor sales of agricultural products due to lack of common markets. High cost of farm inputs as a result of individual purchase as opposed to less costly group purchase. Farmers’ reluctance to modernize traditional farming methods. Inability to resolve boundary problems amicably. Poor management of the farms’ hard-earned proceeds. Lack of knowledge re diversification of resources to generate more income at the end of production season. Rapid population growth due to migration from other villages for fertile lands. Poor hygienic conditions both at home and on the farms. PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION (MISSION) SCHAEP aims to teach, train and organize the farms into common initiative groups through which they can better manage their agricultural products to their benefit. SCHAEP further seeks to empower the farmers physically, morally, and financially so that they can later on solve their own problems. OBJECTIVES To assist communities in the villages by building their capacity on how to live and work in common initiative groups, in order to strengthen their bargaining position over sales of their produce and purchase of farm inputs. Train members of common initiative groups in the need for good governance and accountability. Educate the common initiative groups on individual management of resources. Teach the farmers nutrition and hygiene. Establish a school outreach program on environmental protection through tree planting and formation of clubs. Advocate and lobby for programs that will help the public and members of common initiative groups. Give assistances to widows and their children. Increase farm yields and raise the standard of living. PLANNED ACTIVITIES Create more common initiative groups in the village and neighbouring villages. Inform members of the market trend of their produce. Plant trees in schools. Train farmers on management, leadership and accountability in running and managing a common initiative group. Support widows and their children in vocational institutions. Carry out vision education in the community and schools. COLLABORATION WITH OTHER INSTITUTIONS SCHAEP works with farmers irrespective of race, colour and religion, and with quarter and village heads, which are auxiliary of government. SCHAEP volunteers are available to other organizations for further training. SCHAEP also seeks volunteers to work with its programs.

Hesperian has a new resource, A Community Guide to Environmental Health , (free download in parts) free to poor communities around the world through the no-cost download (full download) on their website . If you do not know this website, pay it a visit! They have great materials. And please spread the word!