3. Sensitize parents / guardians how to manage household dynamics when they have EIP and non-EIP children in the same home / family.
4. Integrate the intentional professional development of matrons as their development will support and contribute to the sustainability of the project ' s legacy and impact.
5. If possible, sensitize communities through social and behavior change( SBC)( radio spots or other widespread campaigns) to ensure the community understands what The Sonder Project and the EIP program does to clear up misunderstandings and tamp down discrimination, jealousy, and envy. At the very least, parents and the school community should be informed about the goals and selection process for the EIP program, complemented with messages surrounding the importance of supporting the EIP students.
Partnerships
The Sonder Project’ s partnership with the district government is positive and effective. The Sonder Project is part of Kasungu’ s Water Development Committee at the District Council, and one of The Sonder Project’ s Education Coordinators commented that“ The District Commission Office has also been giving us the names of communities which are lacking water, as well as directing some students who are in need, to our office, so the relationship with our partners is very good.”
During the interviews that TSI performed, BuildOn came up as The Sonder Project’ s key partnership. Within Kasungu, when BuildOn built a school, The Sonder Project would then complement this by supporting students in that school to attend and achieve academically, as well as sometimes bringing the WASH project to the school. One of The Sonder Project’ s trustees in Malawi expressed the opinion that areas where BuildOn currently build also need the types of support The Sonder Project provide, and that it would be beneficial to communities for The Sonder Project to expand to these districts as well as Kasungu.
Ideas for other partnerships were discussed with The Sonder Project’ s CEO and one of The Sonder Project’ s Education Coordinators, including a partnership with Good Vision Glasses which is currently being explored to facilitate The Sonder Project to provide eye glasses to EIP students in need of them. Other potential partnerships include Evidence Action chlorine dispensers in The Sonder Project boreholes, working with the Centre for Youth and Civic Education( CYECE) on sexual and reproductive health and rights( SRHR) and agriculture, and Age Africa who have a good mentorship program and could potentially further train The Sonder Project staff on mentorship.
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