Mr. Chanthea Nou (left) met with project staff and AC in Kampong Cham province
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From 28th March-01st April 2016, Program Coordinator for Mekong of Caritas Australia (CA), Mr. Chanthea Nou travelled to Cambodia for a field monitoring visit to Caritas Australia’s funded projects on community development, community health and comprehensive prison health care program.
After the field mission, Mr. Chanthea Nou has shared some observations from the site visit and general thoughts about the impact of the programs and other ways of further cooperation between Caritas Australia and Caritas Cambodia. Below is an interview between Mrs. Somealea Ngay, in charge of communications from Caritas Cambodia and Mr. Chanthea Nou.
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Somealea Ngay: Can you describe what the objectives of the field visit are?
Chanthea Nou: The objective of the visit is two fold:
Chanthea Nou: The field visit went well. From the beginning until the end of the visit I was accompanied by Ms. Vichheka Nay, Program Monitoring and Evaluation Manager from National office and field staff in each location.
Chanthea Nou:
Chanthea Nou: We need to be able measure change at higher level to ensure sustainability of the programs. We can’t just monitor and measure change at the activity and output level that what we normally do. We look at long term but need to action now to see how the program would continue without our support. For community health program, it is necessary to promote and strengthen government’s ownerships and key stakeholders and community involvement in the project planning and implementation. I think further support to AC in Kampong Cham to improve their long term planning is still needed in terms of capacity building and sustainable strategic planning to move forward the activities. This kind of support aims to strengthen AC’s performance, so that they can support and deliver good outcomes to their community. Somealea Ngay: What areas should be improved or moved forward in terms of partnership between Caritas Australia and Caritas Cambodia? Chanthea Nou: So far, no major issues have been concerned. However consistent and regular communication between organizations should be improved in order to foster our mutual understanding. In this connection, we love to hear the updates and progress of Caritas Cambodia in both aspects of programs and organizational development. Somealea Ngay: Is there anything that you want to say? Chanthea Nou: I would like to take this opportunity to thank Caritas Cambodia team for the good preparation for the monitoring visit. Caritas Australia is impressed with the commitment of all staff at the project. I hope everyone will keep their firm commitment and effort in supporting poor communities. I wish you a successful continuation of your project activities. About Caritas Australia and Caritas Cambodia partnership Caritas Australia is one of the major donors to Caritas Cambodia. Its mandate is to support the long-term development programs in impoverished communities and helping oppressed people to rediscover their dignity by taking greater control over their lives and overcoming poverty. From July 2015- June 2016, Caritas Australia supports 5 projects with a total budget of US$ 331,988 and the programs benefit poor communities including farmers, women, children and prisoners. |
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Some activities of site visit from Caritas Australia to CA’s funded programs
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