Population density in Zambia (people pre square kilometre). Source: Michigan State University.
>> Read or subscribe to the Zambia Diary audio diary here
Jane and I are returning to Zambia today (16/1/11) to move the pilot plan forward. Last time we talked with many stakeholders and now we hope to be able to consolidate the partnership that will be required to implement and oversee the pilot.
As you’d expect, the trip itself is acting as a catalyst for conversations and commitments. The big news is that UNICEF in Zambia have now committed to supporting the ColaLife Pilot in Zambia. We have agreed that UNICEF will provide some local leadership in helping to get the pilot underway. In the first instance, lending additional credibility to help secure specific commitments from partners, and providing technical support to the development of the logical framework, contributing to pilot design and the plan for Monitoring and Evaluation. As part of the design process, which needs to include governance & management arrangements, we will identify any further role for UNICEF.
As part of their support, UNICEF will covene and host a group meeting of key partners this Friday (21/1/11), to flesh out, in detail, partners’ roles in the ColaLife Pilot. Jane and I will be meeting with UNICEF Zambia tomorrow (17/1/11) at 14:30 to finalise the design of the workshop.
SABMiller, the Coca-Cola bottlers in Zambia, are another key partner and we have a meeting scheduled with their senior managers on Tuesday. In addition to meeting and working with key partners in Lusaka, we hope to do a bit of travelling out the capital, we may even get as far as Mpika where we used to live.
We thought it would be useful to share our objectives for this trip. They are as follows:
- Confirm pilot partners; confirm accountable body
- Produce a draft partnership agreement
- Confirm a host organisation for the ColaLife pilot
- Confirm pilot structure
- Finalise logical framework for the pilot
- Obtain baseline data and or confirm gaps for baseline data needing to be collected
- Undertake fieldwork trips to rural areas
- Collect footage/pictures and report back to our supporters on progress
I will try to blog here every day while we are away and I’ll be uploading the audio diary here.
This trip would not be possible without the donations from supporters and the provision of accommodation and transport from ColaLife supporters while in Lusaka.
Please comment as we go along . . . .
As ever, Simon and Jane, all the very best of luck to you both.
Gordon
Hi Simon. Really glad to read that things are moving forward so positively and i’m sure that in your usual way you’ll work through the complexities and come out the other side with a good result. Good luck and best wishes to you and Jane.
Julie