My name is Michelle and I work in the DR Congo, since September 1st, 2009. Within the VVOB programme, I am responsible for the ‘primary education’ section. In Belgium I worked for a pupil guidance centre and gave training to teachers.
In Congo, I have my desk at SERNAFOR Primaire, the national service for training of primary school teachers. This service has ramifications into every primary school. At school level, SERNAFOR exists in the form of a ‘cell for framework and training’. Teachers, under the guidance of the director, come together to discuss and develop educational materials, to set up lesson plans and evaluate them. This instrument offers many opportunities, but is not operational in many schools.
One of the objectives of the VVOB programme is to revitalise these ‘basic cells’. VVOB tries to achieve this by supporting SERNAFOR Primaire in developing training materials. Through a step by step pass on system (cascade system) it should reach the schools. 2009 has shown that this system needs further support. Or…can only work when our Congolese partner sees the educational materials as their product. This motivates me to emphasise that “VVOB supports, and that the Congolese partner takes initiative and applies for VVOB assistance”. Perhaps nothing particular, but it gives another dimension to the relationship with the partner. He feels more responsible.
Partners on equal footing is a desired situation, but at the moment this is still elusive. I manage the budget, give boundaries and set priorities. And I share this openly with the partner. Me managing the finances is regarded, by a number of my Congolese colleagues, as a form of oppression... Should I fully be directed by the partner, then perhaps a large part of the budget would serve as an extra income. I understand their concern for an extra income, but I always stress that this is not the responsibility of VVOB. In their eyes, it is easy for me to talk; I have a very generous income by Congolese standards. It is not obvious being productive when the stomach and wallet are nearly empty. A monthly bonus to encourage the work of the ‘basic cells’ is welcome. The conditions for gaining this premium is in the hands of the partner. Exchanges have preceded. Without a proposal, the budget in 2010 could not provide a bonus. Putting them responsible for matters concerning them, has effect. I presume that this will also simplify the application.
