Evaluering
External Evaluation of “Jacob’s House” and the Foundation Pacto Belén
Background: The foundation "Fundación Pacto Belén" was founded in 2002. The foundation has it's basis in the local church Iglesia Pacto Fontibón, which is a member of La Federación de Iglesias Pacto Evangélico de Colombia (FIPEC). Supported by Norad through BN and The Mission Covenant Church of Norway (MCCN) FPB started in 2003 a rehabilitation program for children between 7 and 12 years old consisting of two parts: The first motivating part in the capital Bogotá where the children are kept under supervision for 2 - 3 months. Then they are transferred to a rehabilitation centre 50 km from Bogotá where they are taken care of in small houses supervised by staff. They go to local schools, get help with their homework, moral and ethical education, exercises in behaviour and medical and psychological support if needed. After a rehabilitation period of maximum two years the children should be brought back to their families or integrated in foster families. The development goal of FPB: "Given the characteristics of drug consumption among Colombian minors the Fundación Pacto Belén orients its programs according to national and local policies in ways that ensure the collaboration with other parties in civil society so that the rights of children consuming psychoactive substances may be re-established and, so that primary and secondary level prevention programs may be established. Purpose/objective: The aim of this evaluation is to assess the present situation of FPB, to examine if the project has developed in accordance to earlier plans and recommendations, and propose changes in the daily running of the project in order to adapt it to the real needs and challenges for the children who constitute the target group. Methodology: The evaluation is based on the analysis of:● Interviews with key people related to FPB at all levels and with other stakeholders• board, direction• employees• children• parents/relatives• political authorities● Relevant reports and documents concerning FPB 2002 - 2007● Visit of infrastructure Key findings: FPB is an institution addressing a vital point and a challenge in the Colombian society: the abusive drug consumption among minors.• The interviews and contacts with the children, their relatives and the staff tell us that the children are happy, they feel they are well taken care of.• Much time is needed to make such an institution known and accepted by political authorities and users. The project has functioned for four years, and this is necessary to make it known.● Contract with ICBF/government. At present FPB is recognised by ICBF, and it is at present that they in competition with others may hope for economical support from ICBF and others..● The sustainability of the project will always be related to its quality. The staff and the administration need upgrading of their competence.● The board is not functioning as it should regarding composition, control function, planning etc.● The structure of the staff (organigram) is not clear and may create confusion.● The project's infrastructure is well developed (buildings, vehicles etc).● The board and the staff sometimes have difficulties to implement decisions, plans etc.● Lack of staff, heavy workload and very low remuneration is a challenge, may result in high turnover.● The children's family/relatives are not sufficiently included in the program.● The system of follow up children having fulfilled the rehabilitation is not developed. Recommendations: ● The involvement of the Board has to be increased and the capacity of the board members must be taken more into consideration. The composition of the board should be modified. To avoid conflict of interest, board members should not be involved in the daily running of the project.● A log-frame for board work and responsibility should be elaborated● The use of human resources in the program should be further developed, and each employee should have their job description● The relations between the development goal, the project/program goal with indicators, the output and outcome should be much clearer and simplified.● The way of recruiting children to the program should be reconsidered to assure that the neediest children get this possibility.● A more structured plan for the further development of the staff, and support for the activities already in action.● Make individual treatment plans for each child to make the treatment more effective. Create an archive to keep information about each child.● Make a plan as soon as possible for the following up of children having fulfilled the program● Make a plan for how to follow up parents/relatives as soon as the children are accepted in the program and during the program period.● Foster parents should be an exception, make plans for reintegrating the children in their own family. Remember that the use of foster parents has to be adapted to the Colombian legislation!● Elaborate adequate information to all involved parties about the progress/problems of the project at least once a year.● Fund-raising: Elaborate contacts with national and international bodies (see report) Comments from the organisation, if any: