A momentous milestone for World Vision Myanmar
After 15 years working with commitment and dedication, a remarkable day arrived for World Vision Myanmar. The phasing out of our Area Development Programme in South Dagon and the official handing over ceremony took place on 27 August 2015.
An Area Development Programme (ADP) is World Vision’s main vehicle for addressing poverty reduction and contributing towards community development and child well being. They are implemented across a cluster of villages/wards and are designed to improve the lives of the poor, especially children, over the long term. The first ADP in Myanmar was introduced in 1999 in South Dagon Township.
In each ADP, World Vision takes an integrated approach to development by working across multiple sectors including Education, Health, Economic Development, Water & Sanitation, Leadership Development, Child Protection and Child Participation.
The purpose of transition isto reduce World Vision’s support as communities and local partners take on more responsibility for development in their community, and acquire the skills and knowledge needed to continue development efforts and build a better life for children. Transition can mean that World Vision will move to another area or move the focus of activities to another location.
The government officials from Yangon Region department of Social Welfare and Township Health department, general administrations, community -based organizations and child protection advocacy groups attended and participated in the ceremony.
World Vision Myanmar’s Operation Director, Dr. Ivan opened the ceremony, talking about the future leaders, referring to the children’s opinions and their role in the important decision making of the development process and the social capital developments of a Community-Based Organization (CBO).
“Today, we are honored for what we have achieved through the years. We’ve had happy times; sometimes we’ve had hard times. I believe that community groups have now obtained the skills and knowledge needed to continue development efforts and build a better life for children,” said Dr. Ivan.
“We thank World Vision Myanmar for its high commitment, coordination and support for this community. Particularly in Maternal and Child Health and the Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever and Tuberculosis projects,” said Dr. Mya Mya Win, Township Medical Officer.
“We had already built up the Child Protection Advocacy network group with 21 members from respective wards. We will engage with different partners and authorities from township,” shared Kyaw, Child Protection Advocacy Group (CPAG) CPAG leader.
The last part of the ceremony was the official handing over of the programme documents - from year 2000 to 2015 - to the concerned government departments and organisations – including the Yangon Region department of Social Welfare, the Township Health department, general administrators, and community-based organisations.
“We have gained knowledge on health and community development work because of World Vision. World Vision will always live in our hearts,” said Daw Nilar, a community woman.
“Previously, I was so frightened to come forward in front of people while meeting and training, my hands were shaking. But now I can lead and facilitate well to peers and children in child protection network group activities” shared Yee, 21, one of the Child Protection Advocacy Group Leaders.
Although it is a sad moment for World Vision to leave the community, we are confident with the improved aptitude of members to take care of the community in the future. This is a remarkable milestone for World Vision.
In October 1996, World Vision Myanmar initiated a community-based disability rehabilitation project in South Dagon Township and advanced its Area Development Programme officially in 1999.
World Vision Myanmar has spent about 6.6 million US dollars to implement development projects in the areas of:
- Education
- Health - including maternal and child health and communicable diseases like Tuberculosis/HIV-AIDS and Malaria
- Anti-human trafficking & protection of children
- Supporting family livelihoods
- Water & Sanitation
- Child Protection and Child Participation
World Vision has worked in 24 wards in South Dagon Township benefitting over 100,000 people through these projects.