Mrs Jasmine Adaickalam :YSS Service Director

Reviewing may sound to be a dry and unattractive chore but however it is mandatory to refresh the mind of its original focus and purpose and also to be rejuvenated by seeing new trends and developments emerging. It also enables to apply corrective measures before any serious damage is done in the process of social work, which social workers or development workers cannot afford to see this happen.

Review also can be done internally with just the organisational staff. But Yayasan Strategik Sosial (YSS) chose to do go through this process with the partners in a transparent manner. More than 150 people gathered for this Social programme review retreat organised by YSS at Hotel Seri Malaysia in Genting Highlands from 6-7 September 2003. More over this weekend retreat at Gentings provided exclusive time without being interrupted by telephone calls and other emergencies taking over the important.

On 6th local neighbourhood leaders and volunteers, IBO leaders and representatives together with YSS officers and the Executive Director Dr Denison Jayasooria met at late afternoon and went on till 11.00pm. Initially Dr Denison reiterated the thrust and focus of the programme at hand and they were asked to go into the focus group or interest group review. The whole review was done simultaneously under five categorical groups. Following is the table that gives some details.

During the feedback session after dinner, members of these focus groups presented the findings under a format. They first talked about the progress/regress and some of the possible reasons. Then they went on to identify some of the lessons learnt in the process and also the problems they encountered and some plausible reasons that could be attached to these problems. They did not end there. They also suggested some strategies to overcome these problems and enhance the quality of programmes further beyond. There were also some suggestions for the way forward.

Compared to last year, one can see the improvement in the quality of debate and the discipline in which the findings were presented. There were positive affirmation of the programmes and as well constructive criticism and suggestions. During the presentation there was cross sectional participation of the groups. At night even when the temptation to go up was great, everyone stayed back to give importance and feedback to the review cum evaluation. Only when Dr Denison who chaired the session called it a day at about 11.00pm, some went up I hear.

The second day i.e. 7 September 2003, started with the two youth focus groups presenting their findings. Then it was time for the official presentation of the findings to the many VIPs present. Dato S Veerasingam, Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of National Unity and Community Development was the chief guest of honour. With him Dr Manogran, the Secretary General of the said ministry, the new Deputy Secretary General Tuan Hj Mohd Ariff, former Secretary General Dato Theivandran and some Party and IBO leaders were present.

While Dr Denison gave a brief overview of the findings in his welcome address, Mr Thiruselvam presented the focus and thrust of all programmes through a PowerPoint presentation. Then it was Dato S Veerasingam’s turn to read the speech of Dato Seri S Samy Vellu who was originally to be there to deliver it in person.

The Secretary General chaired the afternoon session and Dato Theivandran, Tuan Hj Mohd Arif and Prof Chamhuri Siwar, who does the Impact Assessment of this social project were present. The five programme coordinators presented the review findings through a PowerPoint presentation.

Then Dato Theivandran gave his comments. He called for interagency involvement and support to see greater results. Then he challenged YSS to consider establishing state and district level YSS to realise the work expansion. He also stressed upon the aspect of sustainability and towards that a proper volunteer orientation and coordination. Prof Chamhuri Siwar appreciated the efforts of YSS and touched on the multi-ethnic orientation. He said that he has not seen such community initiatives among the Malay community.

It was time for the Deputy Secretary General Tuan Hj Mohd Ariff to give his comments (Dr Mano had to leave for another function). He centred his speech on the theme of ‘Stamina’. He was talking of the endurance, commitment and perseverance of all parties concerned in order to sustain a meaningful community development project. He talked of the territorial sentiments that need to be gradually annihilated through systematic, strategic and professional approaches. He also encouraged the women by acknowledging that women have been far more instrumental in community changes in the past and continue to be so even now, as such greater recognition must be accorded. (Sure enough he found favour with the women present as I saw some of them walking to him to thank him). To the request of YSS to increase the Administrative cost, he clarified that it is the Treasury’s prerogative and the ministry will adhere to the standards set by them very closely.

With that and the tea that followed the two-day review came to a very fruitful end knowing that it had in all honesty achieved its focus and objectives. YSS is little more richer in knowledge of which way to go for the next phase.

(Submitted on 15th September 2003)