Sierra Leone National HIV and AIDS Coalition - Self-assessment of HIV and AIDS Programming in Sierra Leone:May 26, 2009

[Joseph Senesie]

This is a short report/update on the above action which took place in Sierra Leone on May 26, 2009. The Sierra Leone National HIV and AIDS Coalition, a Civil Society Organization, invited partners/stakeholders to a one-day self-assessment of the National HIV and AIDS Programme which was part of their activities on Global HIV Action Week held at the YWCA Hall. It was an initial stakeholders self-assessment of the National HIV and AIDS Programming which included representatives from the National AIDS Secretariat (NAS), Ministry of Education, Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), US Embassy, CSOs, NGOs and so on.

After a very vibrant and interesting introduction to the AIDS Competence Process (ACP) and brainstorming session on questions including what is working well and what is not working well on National HIV Programming, the 24 participants divided into three groups to conduct self-assessment of three practices on the HIV and AIDFS Self-assessment Framework. To cover all the 10 practices on the framework, each group covered three practices plus the last, which is Resource Mobilization.

Though time was a challenge, the outcome of the process was commendable. Participants expressed great interest in continuing to learn about the ACP. 'It is indeed an eye-opener, the process is new and unique, the discussions were great, we need more of this exercise': few comments from Coalition Members during After Action Review (AAR) session.

In closing, I want to extend special thanks to Ibrahim Kamara of Plan International Sierra Leone, a Coach and Coalition Member, who invited myself and Joseph Vandi, who is HIV and AIDS Lecturer at Milton Margai College of Education and Technology in Sierra Leone and a Coach-in-training as well. The Sierra Leone HIV Coalition members requested to be invited to join the electronic Ning platform which Ibrahim promised to honour.

END

[Joseph Senesie]

Thank you, Ian. Will keep you posted on developments.

[Ian Campbell]

Super news Joseph
I would be interested to know if any seemed interested in a mentoring visit by a team to their place and situation . If so the next step in embedding behaviours to match the emerging vision would follow quite easily

ian

[Joseph Senesie]

Thanks Gaston for your interest in the SA process in Sierra Leone. The SA was done for the National HIV and AIDS Programme. It was very interesting as the participants were very honest.

For your information, the NMCP included international technical support on the MCP aspect of the Global Fund Round 9 Malaria Proposal which will submitted on June 1. I will connect you if the proposal is approved by the GF.

All the best.

[Gaston]

Nice to read that the policy makers are doing their self-assessment as well. My question is whether they did their own self-assessment as individuals/ work communities or did they assess the work they do in the field? My experience with facilitating self-assessment with UN organizations or policy makers is that they find it difficult to look at themselves as 'beneficiaries' instead of 'service providers'. What was your experience?

And if the Sierra Leone partners would be interested in a more structure process with international linkages to learn from, please put me in touch with the relevant people. I am sure we can also learn a lot from your context.

Kind regards,

[Joseph Senesie]

Hi Marlou,
Since we had three groups handling three practices each including Resource Mobilization, they did set targets and how to achieve those targets after the self-assessment on current levels.

Ibrahim capture the reports. Thank you for the follow up.

[Marlou]

Dear friends in Sierra Leone,
Thanks for sharing this. Great to hear how the self assessment was a useful exercise for this group! Did the group also choose priorities for improvement ? I am curious to hear which practices that would be and if they have been able to identify activities that will help them improve on the practices?
Take good care,
Marlou