Wrapping Up

Monday, 06/08/2013

Today was the day of our big presentation, which would summarize our work for the last 4 weeks. We met up in the morning to finalize the presentation, develop the sample budget for each loan, create the monthly questionnaire, put down the interview questions we used, and finalize the excel sheet that had all the beneficiaries information. We presented at 3 to around 10 members of BSDA, including Vandong, Sothea, Paul, and Harry. Sothea translated for us.

Thoughts about project and BSDA (and presentation)

The main thing that we emphasized was more structure and having BSDA accompany the beneficiaries when they are buying the materials. We also want to have more follow-up in order to ensure that beneficiaries are doing what they say are doing. We want the monthly meetings to be opportunities for community members to share effective chicken raising habits. Vandong seemed to think that our funds were not enough to hire another person to facilitate our project. As a result, we decided that the team leaders needed to play a greater role in this project. They can be the ones that accompany beneficiaries when they buy the chickens and materials, and they can also help in the monthly check-ups and the monthly meetings. It seems like Soveourn and the other community support officers have way too many people to check-up on, so in turn, they are not able to meet with every beneficiary. I believe creating a stronger relationship between the team leaders and BSDA will be extremely effective for our project in the long-term. The problem seems to stem from the fact that the beneficiaries are always thinking about short-term problems (where am I going to get food for tomorrow?) instead of thinking how to implement long-term solutions. Our job is to help these families think for the long-term. In addition, we realized that we don’t know where our GlobeMed funds are going to exactly. So we requested for Vandong to give us the exact budget breakdown of GlobeMed’s funds. 

The next morning we left for Siem Reap, home of the famous ancient Hindu temples. By the end of four days of temples, markets, and ice cream, we were just about ready to go back home.

Water running over rock carvings, specifically Shiva Lingas. Shiva is a Hindu god that many of the temples in Siem Reap are dedicated to. Linga is associated with the God's male genitalia, which is considered a symbol of fertility.

During our stay in Siem Reap, we talked about what worked and what didn't work in this first trip. I think I am speaking for the entire group by saying that this was an amazing and very successful first GROW trip. However, we have our work laid our for us. In order to continue our success, we will have to not only bring the information we have gathered back to the chapter, but we will have to communicate how next year's GROW group can continue building on the foundation that we have laid for our project. I am extremely proud and thankful for this year's GROW team, and I am excited to share with the chapter all of our exciting stories and findings. Now, its study abroad time for me!