From March, 1st 2016 to 05th, March 2016, the Centre for Research on Initiatives of Community Development (RIC) has held 10 meetings in 10 villages with irrigation works, running water works which can be applied community maintenance at two communes Ngoc Son and Ngoc Lau in Lac Son district, Hoa Binh province.
During the meetings, the people in the neighborhoods did not only better understand] of the project but also to be inspired by the experiences/sharing of other villages which were involved in the project in the first and second years. Mr. Bui Anh Khu – villager of Khop 1 village, Ngoc Lau said “The failure of the infrastructure works of other villages involved in the project are very similar to my village’s works, if we do not see the real pictures like this fact, we will never know that people can make a good repair while the budget is not much. ” Not only Mr. Khu, a lot of participants also were surprised about the results of the maintenance of communities which have participated in the project in the past two years.
The establishment of community groups which will be responsible for operation and maintenance works at the villagers agreed and supported by all the participants. The local people gave the criteria to elect members of community groups such as person who are responsible with community work, having time, enthusiastic, qualified, to benefit from the works…. Based on the criteria raised by the residents 13 community groups are established (9 groups for water works, 4 groups for irrigation works) with 91 members, including 58 males and 33 females with age range from 16 – 65 years-old, in average, each group has 7 members. The people of the neighborhoods are fully agreed and committed to contribute labor to carry out maintenance works.
Ms. Bui Thi Hoang, Cha village, Ngoc Son commune said: “After listening to the project introduction I am very excited and looking forward to be a member of community group. My village had a lot of projects carried out activity as poverty reduction, WB … but no project direct train and support for people as this maintenance project, so I look forward to be involved in the project to improve my knowledge and most importantly, the bring knowledge to serve my community”
Villagers listen to the project introduction
