Storytelling to document the impact of LeaPPS

In August and September 2009, the seventh learning session for LeaPPS (Learning for Policy and Practice in Sanitation & Hygiene) took place and participants wrote down and selected the Most Significant Change (MSC) stories resulting from two years of LeaPPS. Participants split up into four groups, and first worked individually on answering the question what has been in your opinion the most significant change as a result of LeaPPS in your district? These individual stories were shared and discussed within the groups. After this, the stories were ranked and group members voted the 'most significant story' of their group, giving a clear explanation for their choice. The four selected stories were then presented in plenary.

This exercise was part of the process documentation work within LeaPPS. It was very much appreciated and people particulary enjoyed the opportunity to share their experience and change that they have observed, or actively promoted.

The story below was told by Komuntano Alice who is Monitoring and Evaluation officer for FORUD, a local NGO working in Ruwenzori. It was selected by her group as a most significant change story, because it shows that sharing in LeaPPS has helped NGOs and local government to reduce on duplication of work. LeaPPS has helped to make district and sub counties focus on hygiene and sanitation and has raised budget and awareness.

'LeaPPS, a platform for Sharing Experiences' (Komuntano Alice)

"I have attended the 7th LeaPPS session and the most significant change as a result of LeaPPS in Kamwenge is the following:
 LeaPPS has brought a change in development work, especially between the districts, sub county and several NGOs operating in Kamwenge District. Experiences on hygiene and sanitation have been shared and some have also been documented. In the past, the district and NGOs never had a forum where experiences on hygiene and sanitation could be shared but LeaPPS changed that. Now we can share best practices, challenges, and normally we always make a way forward, even the district and NGOs have had action points and this has helped focus work on sanitation and hygiene.

And several things on hygiene and sanitation have been accomplished like use of drama groups to convey messages on hygiene and sanitation; demonstration villages where competition on hygiene and sanitation were done and this has helped improve hygiene and sanitation in villages. LeaPPS has also resulted in an action research on Improvement of Hygiene and Sanitation at the Household Level and Schools . Yesterday we heard the district sanitation budget has been increased as a result of LeaPPS. And a lot more has yet to be done".