MONASO – Five-Year Strategic Plan: Mid-Term Evaluation of the Mozambican HIV Network

Client – MONASO
Location – Mozambique
Year – 2006 – 2007
Time – 6 months

MONASO (Mozambican Network of Organizations working on AIDS) was created in 1993 with the aim of coordinating the actions of member organizations working in the area of HIV / AIDS.

This study was an evaluation of MONASO’s 2005-2009 strategic program.

The main objective of the mid-term evaluation was to assess the impact of strategic actions, and to what extent were the results successful and to identify lessons learned.

Then, propose changes to strengthen the monitoring and evaluation system. The assessment also considered the need to change or revise current strategies in order to make the plan more up-to-date and effective.

The evaluation reported a need for change in relation to:

a) MONASO coordination and management;
b) Institutional capacity building and training activities;
c) Communication and Research;
d) Advocacy and lobbying;
e) Monitoring and Evaluation;
f) Institutional development and financial management.

The implementation of changes proved to be a success. The number of members grew from 500 members to 1421, as members found MONASO’s services to be attractive and justified the payment of their membership fees.

East African Coastal Zone Management – SEACAM

Client – World Bank
Location – Mozambique
Year – 2000 – 2001
Time – 7 months

Verde Azul trained more than 90 government leaders and decision-makers involved in the management of the southern African coastal zone.

The countries involved in the training were Mozambique, Tanzania, Kenya, Zambia, Angola, Lesotho and South Africa.

Participatory training and coaching methodologies were used in the seminars.

The project resulted in cross-border agreements and coherent project models, as well as the adoption of a platform of common planning methodologies.

It also resulted in the elaboration of a Manual “A good idea for a good project”, which was published in Portuguese, English and French.

Training for the Provincial Directorate for Women and Social Action in Sofala, Manica and Tete

Client – UNICEF / INAS
Location – Manica, Sofala and Tete – Mozambique
Year – 2006 – 2007
Time – 6 months

Verde Azul carried out consultancy services in the area of training for civil servants who manage the provincial social security services in Tete, Manica and Sofala (DPMAS), and in supporting the less favored citizens in these provinces.

Assistance focused on participatory activities that could improve the management capacity of each DPMAS, and its respective district services.

Verde Azul prepared basic training materials, did a document review and held several workshops focused on the themes of leadership, strategic and operational planning.

During the first phase, it consisted of creating a training workshop oriented towards actions with children, and for VOC issues for staff related to this activity, in a second phase.

This second phase involved some of the colleagues from other provincial DPMAS directorates.

Reports were produced for each phase, and a final report was structured as a working document that can be used for refresher training as well as assessments. A total of 60 civil servants benefited from this training.

HIV and AIDS in the Workplace – Preventive Health Care for Employees of the National Road Authority of Mozambique (ANE)

Client – ANE
Location – Maputo – Mozambique
Year – 2006 – 2007
Time – 12 months

The aim of this project was to develop an HIV / AIDS program in the workplace, based on the needs of the worker.

The project aimed to understand the needs faced by ANE employees, and then to develop and implement an intervention program to raise the awareness of employees of the National Road Administration (ANE) on HIV and AIDS issues.

Verde Azul carried out the following activities:

Data collection through:

i) survey of ANE officials;
ii) small focus group discussions;
iii) interviews with key people.

The collected information was used to design an intervention program.

The program was presented to the team and reviewed during a working meeting facilitated by Verde Azul. Then it was approved by the Director and the Board of Directors of ANE.

The program was evaluated and the comments confirmed that it raised awareness and the program provided much needed information, in addition to communication materials (brochures, pamphlets, posters and condoms).

It triggered educational events, such as debates, theaters, physical activities and competitions through a communication strategy outline that Verde Azul prepared for ANE.

ANE has developed voluntary HIV-AIDS counseling and testing with the assistance of Verde Azul.

The program resulted in the implementation of mechanisms to support workers living with HIV, through health care and nutritional assistance. An assessment was carried out after 6 months, and the ANE offices performed better.

Training on Environmental Impact Assessments

Client – USAID
Location – Mozambique and Angola
Year – 2005 – 2007
Time – 17 months

Verde Azul was the main facilitator and responsible for training government officials and NGOs, under the coordination of SUN MOUNTAIN, a private company.

Verde Azul carried out a survey of training needs assessment in Mozambique, to evaluate the appropriate curricular training courses for USAID Reg. 216, for environmental impact studies.

According to US regulations, all recipients of funds are required to follow reg. 216, and simultaneously adhere to national environmental regulations.

Training in both countries devoted much of the course to specific aspects of how to conduct environmental assessments and prepare environmental management plans.

The contents of the course were very broad, focusing on aspects from the design phase to the implementation of a project.

The curriculum was delivered in phases: one week of intensive training – each of them given three times over a period of 17 months.

These weeks of intensive training were then complemented with practical visits to the field, monitoring in the workplace (coaching) and environmental reports.

Analysis and Evaluation on Gender and HIV / AIDS and its Effects on Sustainable and Effective Economic Development (SEED)

Client – CARE Canada / CARE Vilanculos
Location – Mabote e Govuro – Inhambane Province – Mozambique
Year – 2006
Time – 2 months

This project was part of a broader program – SEED – which was developed by CARE International with the aim of reducing poverty and vulnerability by empowering farmers.

Verde Azul’s specific objective within this broad context was to identify the implications of gender inequality and HIV / AIDS in the implementation of the program.

Verde Azul’s specific tasks were to determine “to what extent the gender situation and HIV / AIDS could affect the program’s likelihood of success”, and to propose strategies to reduce risk within the program.

The ultimate long-term objective was to determine the effect of Gender and HIV / AIDS on sustainable and effective economic development in the province of Inhambane in Mozambique, and to propose risk mitigation measures, as well as an overall monitoring of the strategy.

Verde Azul collected the information necessary to understand and determine the likely impact of gender equality and HIV / AIDS on economic development in the geographic area covered.

Verde Azul designed the tools for field research and data collection, selecting the villages and the number of people to be involved in the sample, and this was discussed and commented on by the interested parties and subsequently approved by the relevant decision makers.

The Verde Azul team and Care Vilanculos visited the districts of Guvuro and Mabote, and worked with the target groups of SEED projects, involving the application of a method of Participatory Rapid Assessment (PRA) and discussions in focus groups.

The report included a summary and analysis of causes / effects, proposals for pragmatic actions and recommendations for addressing gender and HIV / AIDS issues during the implementation of the SEED project.

HIV / AIDS

Client – Provincial Nucleus to Fight AIDS
Location – Mozambique
Year – 2006
Time – 4 months

Verde Azul supported the Provincial Nucleus to Combat AIDS in each of the ten provinces of Mozambique to develop strategies and actions to mitigate the negative impacts of HIV / AIDS in rural areas.

Verde Azul’s recommendations resulted in the mobilization of materials and construction of houses for families who care for orphans and vulnerable groups, and also:

• Distribution of food for AIDS patients who are treated in their homes;
• Introduction and implementation of income generation activities in rural communities;
• Presentation of an action plan to mitigate the negative impacts of HIV / AIDS in rural areas;
• Elaboration and application of income generation activities in rural communities – based on existing experiences and market conditions in each operating location.

Situation Analysis of Orphaned and Vulnerable Children in Mozambique

Client – MMAS / UNICEF / USAID
Location – Mozambique
Year – 2004 – 2006
Time – 36 months

Verde Azul was contracted by SIAPAC Namibia, which carried out research for UNICEF, with the aim of:

1. Identify the strategies used by communities to deal with the impact of HIV / AIDS, in particular in relation to care for children;
2. Collect quantitative data on the global situation of children in the affected districts, as well as the specific situation of OVCs in the communities included in the survey. This included identifying families headed by children;
3. Qualitatively gather descriptive information about the social context in which OVCs live, including positive experiences, as well as cases of abandonment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse, and the denial of legal rights;
4. Identify the good practices used by service providers, government institutions and civil society organizations in response to the impact of HIV / AIDS on OVCs;
5. Identify obstacles related to responsibilities, resources, authorities and participation of caregivers, communities and service providers in fulfilling their obligations to OVC.

The basic precondition for the success of this research was: the effective involvement of inquirers from the structures of Social Action in field research and a broad and inclusive participation in the project to define methodologies and modalities for data collection. Efficient management and training of enumerators, supervisors and facilitators, management of quantitative field information and application of quantitative questionnaires.

The research involved:

• 75 communities in 15 districts in 10 provinces;
• 2250 quantitative questionnaires (interviews 35-55 minutes);
• 20 interviews with key national informants;
• 5 provincial meetings;
• 15 district meetings;
• 75 community meetings;
• 25 interviews with key informants at the local level;
• 20 focus group discussions;
• 10 case studies with orphans;
• 10 case studies with caregivers.

Responsibility for writing the reports in Portuguese and English, the connection with the main user – the Ministry of Women and Social Action (MMAS), and the presentation of the results to the Reference Group and in some broader participation seminars.

Use and Development of Rural Land Strategies for Food Security: At Lodge Covane, Canhane and Massingir

Client – Netherlands Partnership Program – FAO
Location – Massingir – Mozambique
Year – 2005 – 2006
Time – 6 months

The purpose of this study was to provide a detailed baseline analysis showing how the Covane Lodge (Eco-Tourism) in the Limpopo National Park affected the development and food security of the local economy, and to assess whether the observed results would have a chance to bring long-term development.

Verde Azul developed and presented a case study report, which led to new discoveries and revisions for the Limpopo National Park, and also resulted in changes in the National Rural Development Strategies in the area of Tourism.

The results were based on a collection of qualitative data from primary documents about Covane Community Lodge and the land delimitation process.

Of particular interest, in this “hands-on” approach to assessing the impact on rural livelihoods, is the importance of non-agricultural activities in rural families and communities.

Verde Azul concluded that crucial aspects include local participation in development planning and strategy, that there is a clear link between investment in the community and the increase in private property, and the creation of a market-oriented project accompanied by an improvement training and education and community involvement in tourism initiatives. The backbone, for this, is a well-developed and implemented communication strategy.

The project collected information through several actors:

a) A community-wide survey that served as the basis for a longitudinal survey over a period of 2 – 3 years and a field study carried out at the end of this process;
b) Interviews with key informants in Maputo, Gaza (Xai-Xai, Massingir and Canhane) and several meetings with six Canhane focus groups.