Documenting field stories
To support learning from the Wastewater Agriculture and Sanitation for Poverty Alleviation (WASPA) project, the teams in Rajshahi (Bangladesh) and Kurunegala (Sri Lanka) have been documenting changes in stakeholders’ awareness and understanding as well as challenges and lessons learned.
The project team used process monitoring and process documentation to try to capture the changes that were taking place among stakeholders and to get a better understanding of what hindered or enabled change in the project. Reflecting on changes also supported learning with the Learning Alliance.
Documenting stories from the field(s)
2008 was the third and final year of the Wastewater Agriculture and Sanitation for Poverty Alleviation (WASPA) project. To support learning from the project, the teams in Rajshahi (Bangladesh) and Kurunegala (Sri Lanka) have documented changes in stakeholders’ awareness and understanding as well as challenges and lessons learned. Involving different stakeholders in a learning mode is a slow process that requires a lot of effort. WASPA was also supported by the CGIAR 'Knowledge Sharing in Research' project to monitor and evaluate the process and effectiveness of establishing Learning Alliances and implementing participatory action plans.
Understanding waste water uses
Through frequent interactions with local stakeholders in Rajshahi, Bangladesh, the WASPA team has documented many uses of wastewater. This presentation is one way to inform and stimulate discussions about risks, benefits and possible actions.
Documenting stories from the communities
For women and girls in Wilgodapura, privacy meant getting up before the light of dawn because the only latrine they knew was the nearby canal.
In Kurunegala, Sri Lanka, a low-income area called Wilgodapura was identified by the WASPA team as an area that needed support.Over 400 villagers had just three water spouts and 14 latrines, of which only two were functional. As a result, their own health and that of the farmers who use water from the canals for irrigation was at risk. Read here how the project has served as an impetus to reduce pollution, improve living conditions and support the community in voicing their concerns regarding sanitation and waste management.
