My Assignment

I received my assignment kit today from headquarters, which describes in detail the nature of my assignment as an NGO Development volunteer:

The Need
"...the need for NGOs to be bettere managed, more financially sound, and have a well-developed, thought-out strategic plan.

...many NGOs face similar problems, such as: limited funding sources due to lack of knowledge about fundraising; lack of trained staff; limited understanding about the rules and regulations that govern the organization; limited English capability; and lack of organizational management skills."

My Mandate
"...focus on organizational development, strategic planning, fundraising, and general counseling.

...long-term sustainability of change and reform, increase public participation in community life, and democratization of the decision-making process.

...teach language and communication skills to both [my] colleagues and others."

Potential Projects
"...establishing office and management systems; developing training programs; project development and implementation; community outreach; resource allocation and management; computer skills training; building partnerships with other organizations; conducting and analyzing a community needs assessment; and building the overall capacity within the NGO."

The Goal
"...increased ability and skill level among local NGO staff to reach out to the communities they serve in a way that results in increased opportunities for communities to prosper.

1. Strengthen local NGO capacity.
2. Develop an outreach program that will assist the NGOs to be better connected to their communities.
3. Establish and NGO network to exchange ideas and best practices and maximize resources so that NGOs can assist their communities more effectively and efficiently."

Keep in mind this is the first NGO Development program that Peace Corps is implementing in Uzbekistan. These are noble, but lofty goals, particularly when corruption is a way of living and survival, not only for government officials and businessmen, but also for the people in general. This makes it very difficult to create a civil society that is willing to put their time and resources towards a greater good.

You think I'll have any hair left when I'm through?

Comments

[JS McFarland]

Thank you for your great website! My husband and I are volunteers in Usharal, Kazakhstan (just finished training), and your site helped us to research the region and learn more about what a PCV's life is like. Maybe we'll run into you sometime.... Thanks, Jen

[Cas]

Oh how I wish I could do something like this! I wonder if I could send my husband back ot Australia to live a few years without me while I do some work for the corps?

[Wendy]

Wow! You are going to have such an amazing year .... all that plus learning about their society, customs and culture. You must be getting really excited.