The project has grown and matured as well. Initially we
easily fell into the trap of doing things for the community, which they
could do for themselves, but the project now has clear and firm guidelines
that encourage
and assist people to take responsibility for their own situation.
The project
team also focuses more on equipping for long-term sustainability – rather
than teaching school students directly.
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Teachers School Development
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The project team teaches the teachers,
passing on both clear, simple lesson plans and teaching methodology skills.
This helps the teachers to re-use the lessons year after year, impacting
not just one class of students, but many. Once key community members have
been involved in practical application of CD skills, culminating in a successful
mini-project such as a new water supply or school toilet, Osh CDC holds
detailed training in CD theory and practice for those key people, showing
them the basis of the successful techniques. This allows them to transfer
the principles and skills, such as problem analysis and evaluation, to
totally new situations, thus equipping them to take more control of their
own futures.
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This growth has not all been easy. In late 2000 we had our first real
evaluation, conducted by an external development worker, and we were
devastated! We realized that while we had worked very hard, with good intentions,
we had seen little lasting result. I was in tears with frustration and
a sense of failure.
The first step was to create a means for us to learn
more. I began a correspondence Masters degree in international and community
development, and Elmira learned with me as we applied what I learned
in the project. Once I had studied and practically applied a subject, the
team also had me teach it to them. This learning and then sharing with
each other remains typical of Osh CDP, and it formed the basis for the
highly successful CD staff-training program for STLI CD workers. Osh
CDC maintains this staff training focus, with senior staff currently reading
and discussing application of the principles in key books, such as Good
to Great. (This involves Osh CDC accessing Russian and Kyrgyz language
material, a difficult process, but it is well worth it). Osh CDC has
also pioneered an internship whereby selected workers, usually with no
skills, are taken on for a one-year internship for their personal development.
As the first group ended their internship, the program’s success is evident in the interns increased abilities and confidence.
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Ranking Village Problems
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The first step was to create a means for us to learn
more. I began a correspondence Masters degree in international and community
development, and Elmira learned with me as we applied what I learned
in the project. Once I had studied and practically applied a subject, the
team also had me teach it to them. This learning and then sharing with
each other remains typical of Osh CDP, and it formed the basis for the
highly successful CD staff-training program for STLI CD workers. Osh
CDC maintains this staff training focus, with senior staff currently reading
and discussing application of the principles in key books, such as Good
to Great. (This involves Osh CDC accessing Russian and Kyrgyz language
material, a difficult process, but it is well worth it). Osh CDC has
also pioneered an internship whereby selected workers, usually with no
skills, are taken on for a one-year internship for their personal development.
As the first group ended their internship, the program’s success is evident in the interns increased abilities and confidence.
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History of Osh Program:
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