Support a project - Needs Assessment

Background to needs assessment

HfP will focus and dedicate its resources to Community Development to strengthen and consolidate peoples' participation to "take charge" of the development process within their communities and to contribute to poverty reduction and an improved quality of life for all.

In this connection and with the support of APSO/Ireland Aid, Help for Progress conducted Needs Assessment Surveys in December 2003 to April 2004.

• Focus communities
• Social trends and indicators:
  • poverty
  • rural communities
• Survey results
• Costings

Focus communities

The Country Poverty Assessment (CPA) carried out in Belize in 1996, indicated that 33% of the population fell below the national poverty line of Bze$1,287.48 per annum for an adult. Some 13.4% were regarded as indigent or extremely poor. The report indicates that the rural population is the most economically marginalized with 42.5% of the population falling below the poverty line as against those from the urban areas at 20.6%. The incidences of poverty were found to be most extreme in the Toledo District with 47.6% of households or 57.6% of the population falling below the poverty line. Of this amount, 40.2% of the households and 47.2% of the population were deemed to be indigent (See National Report to the World Summit on Sustainable Development July 2002).

In its National Poverty Elimination Strategy and Action Plan 1998-2003, the Government of Belize states:

"For historical, geographic and demographic reasons, the southern parts of the country have not kept pace with developments as in other parts of the country. There have been few opportunities for economic growth, and the large number of scattered settlements has made it difficult to provide services. ……. Government believes that new and special approaches and measures must be taken to assist the south in catching up, including measures that give special benefits to the Toledo district and other disadvantaged rural and urban areas."

As a result of these indicators, Help for Progress continues to work in:

1) Stann Creek District: Cowpen, Bella Vista, San Juan, San Isidro and Independence.

2) Toledo District: San Pablo, Trio Farms, Santa Teresa, Mabilha, San Lucas, Corazon, Otoxha and Dolores. Aguacate and San Benito Poite. Since 1994, HfP has provided a level of support to these communities but due to scarcity of funding our interventions have been rather sporadic but effective.

Social trends and indicators

Poverty

Poverty remains a serious problem for Belize, particularly in the rural areas where 25.3% of households or 33% fall below the poverty line. The figure in the urban areas is estimated at 21%, but masks the incidence of extreme poverty in pockets in certain neighborhoods in Belize City, especially.

Of the population defined as poor, 13.4% are "indigent" or "extremely poor" that is, existed on resources valued less than BZ $751.32 (US$375) per annum.

The incidence of poverty is most prevalent in the Toledo District with 47.6% of households or 57.6% of the population falling below the poverty line. Of these households 40.2% were deemed to be indigent.

In the Cayo District, 33.5% of households (41% of the population) fall below the poverty line.

The Maya (mainly in Toledo) were disproportionately poor-66% of individuals being poor, including over 30% indigent.

Immigrants and refugees in Cayo, Toledo and Stann Creek are disproportionately poor.

The ranges of social groups vulnerable to poverty are the young, the elderly, the disabled and female-headed households.

The GOB strategies to combat the poverty problem in Belize, are namely:
(i) economic growth for the sustenance of employment and livelihoods
(ii) investment in human capital through education and training
(iii) investment in health services and health care delivery
(iv) housing shelter and human settlement
(v) social vulnerability and safety nets
(vi) protection and conservation of the environment.

Rural Communities

In rural areas only 43.3% of children were normal in terms of weight, and almost 20% were moderately or severely malnourished

Growth retardation of school children is three times higher in rural areas (25%%) than in urban areas.

31% of rural communities have no access to treated water supplies; 65% are without safe sanitation services.

Only 2.3% of children have access to pre-school education (c.f. 23% countrywide).

There are 23 times more doctors in urban than in rural areas

The rural literacy rate is 62.7% (c.f. urban literacy).

Central Statistical Office estimates that the population will increase by 50% in the next 20 years, mainly in rural areas where birth rates are high. (Source: VSO Country Strategic Plan, 200-2003).

In light of the above, HfP now seeks your support to assist these communities with their identified needs.

Survey results

Costings

Water system cost estimates

Rapid Rural Community Assessment (Toledo) Water System

Estimated cost per unit: Bze$250,000.00

Communities Requiring Water System:

1. Mabilha (most important)
2. Corazon (most important)
3. San Benito Poite (most important)
4. Aguacate (upgrade)
5. Trio Farms (most important)
6. San Pablo (important)
7. Bella Vista (extension to 175 homes)
8. Dolores (important)

Necessary Follow-up work:

Existing available source of water, spring etc.

Determine system to be used depending on source, population etc,

Population of community

Does the community have a plan to facilitate design of system?

Contact Rural Water Team for relevant information on specific communities in terms of previous drilling, soil type etc.

Road cost estimates

Note: these are not contract prices. Also this estimate does not include the cost of constructing culverts and bridges. The District Supervisor of the Public Works Department in Toledo provided information. It is based on the experience of his department under government subsidies. Private construction company rates are higher and may vary in price dependent on availability of work at any given time.

Additional notes from conversation with SIF personnel:

A figure of $80,000.00 plus 10% contingency is in order. This will allow for problems with soil type and topography etc. In cases where culvert are needed, a 2% can be added on.

The distance of quarry material will influence the cost of transportation. The figure given above is based on an average distance of four miles.

In Toledo where the rainfall is generally high, gravelling of road is necessary if it is to serve an all weather access.

Road maintenance that includes grading and rolling is estimated at $2,000.00 to $2,500.00 per mile.

As an observation, many communities are lacking road access to houses. However, there is no request for planning and surveying of the villages. I am of the opinion that this be considered in the development of project proposals.

Communities Requesting Road Construction:

1. Santa Teresa 3 miles
2. San Lucas 2 miles
3. Corazon 4 miles
4. Dolores 3 miles
5. San Benito Poite 6 miles

Total 18 miles

The above listed communities were the one that have road construction under the column important priority. Two communities in this same group also included the construction of streets within the confines of the village.

Notes on Building Construction

Communities Requiring Multi-purpose Building:

1. San Lucas for use as Community Centre/meeting place and Hurricane Shelter.
2. Otoxha for use as classrooms and Hurricane Shelter.
3. Aguacate for school extension and Hurricane Shelter.
4. Bella Vista for school extension and Hurricane Shelter.
5. Trio Farms for Community Centre and Hurricane Shelter.
6. Santa Teresa for Library and Computer Centre.

Additional Information Required:

School population, present and immediate future (5 years)

Number of classrooms required

Available persons with skills and available voluntary labour

Location and accessibility for construction material

Possible merger with neighboring community to maximize resources.

Present management under which the school functions.

Has community approached any other organization with a similar request?

Research Information:

Ministry of Education has available proto-type copy of building suited for classrooms and Hurricane Shelter (available on request).

Mr. Lloyd Flowers is person responsible and can be reached at tel.# 223 2062 or 602 2357.

Estimated cost of construction from SIF experience is $75.00 per square foot. However, in Toledo due to transportation costs it is $90.00 per square foot.

A standard size per classroom is set at 24 feet X 30 feet for 35 to 40 students.

Community contribution is valued at 4-5% of total cost of building

Space per child is calculated at 25 square feet up to Std. II and 15 square feet / child Std. III to VI.

Cost per classroom is estimated at $40,000.00