| Field Visit of the Bangladesh and World Bank Delegation |
A Bangladesh delegation, consisting of six members arrived in Sri Lanka on 2nd May, 2006 to participate in a field visit to study the implementation of the Community Driven Development Process in the villages of the Village Self Help Learning Initiative (VSHLI) and the Gemidiriya Project.
The delegation comprised the following officials
1. Mr. M.S. Alam, Member of the Governing Body, Social Development Fund, Bangladesh
2. Mr. M.F. Rahaman, Managing Director, Social Development Fund, Bangladesh
3. Mr. M.S. Mantu, Assistant Manager, Social Development Fund, Bangladesh
4. Mr. M.I.M. Zulfiquar, MIS Specialist, Social Development Fund, Bangladesh
5. Mr.M.M.R. Main, Communications Manager
6. Mr. M.H. Rahaman, Finance Manager, Social Development Fund, Bangladesh.
The Sector Director Ms. Constance Bernard and the Task Leader Ms. Meena Munshi (Gemidiriya) arrived in Sri Lanka representing the World Bank to join the Bangladesh delegation.
On 3rd May, 2006 the delegation visited Ethumalpitiya and Pahalaelleweva villages of the VSHLI Project. In the morning, they visited the Ethumalpitiya Drinking Water Supply Project which is being successfully implemented by the community and discussed the problems encountered, the solutions sought and how the community continues to operate and maintain the activity on its own.
Visiting Pahala Ellewewa in the evening, they shared the experience of the villagers on the formation and operation of a successful village savings and credit organization through the process of Small Groups.
On 4th May, 2006, a special session was conducted at Polonnaruwa to exchange opinions and share the experience of the Board of Directors of the Pulathisi Federation and the Community Professionals. There, the Community Professionals and the BoD explained the specific problems and how they were solved. They also discussed the future plan of the Federation with the delegation. The team arrived in Kebillegama, in the Badulla District on 5th May, 2006 and were very much impressed with the performance of the Kebillegama and the Perahettiya People’s Companies and the success of the Village Savings and Credit organizations.
The uniqueness of the day was that, the Chairpersons of both Kebillegama and Perahettiya People’s Companies presented the progress of their Companies using Power Point presentation techniques.
The wrap up meeting of the field visit was held on 6th May, 2006 in Colombo. At this meeting, Mr. M.F. Rahaman, commended the achievements of the rural communities in enhancing their living standards, with special reference to the Village Savings and Credit Organizations. He further said that this exposure was of great assistance in opening his eyes to certain practical issues confronting community driven development projects. The Sector Director Ms. Constance Bernard, the Country Director Mr. Peter Harrold, Task Leader (Gemidiriya) Ms. Meena Munshi and the Co-Task Leader-Sri Lanka Office (Gemidiriya) Dr. Terrence Abeysekera, Secretary, Ministry of Rural Livelihood Development, Mr. W. K. K. Kumarasiri and VSHLI Project Director, Mr.D.S.C. Elakanda were also present on the occasion.
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