WASH systems training as an entry point for systems strengthening

Published on: 26/07/2022

Welthungerhilfe (WHH) in Ethiopia has planned a five-year systems strengthening project in three districts of Jimma Zone in the Oromia Region of Ethiopia. In preparation to the new project, WHH has enlisted IRC WASH to provide short-term technical support to build capacity on understanding WASH systems and how to strengthen WASH systems for WASH sector offices. WHH also requested IRC WASH to establish a WASH monitoring system to improve data collection and use.

IRC WASH provided training to the three district's WASH sector offices with additional participation from the WASH offices to whom they report using IRC WASH’s WASH Systems Academy. Two courses were used: WASH systems strengthening: the basics and Specialist course: Building blocks of sustainable WASH systems. The training was provided using a blended learning approach consisting of both online and in person training in two phases. The first training was conducted in Mach 2022 for three days using the basic course and the second in June 2022 for six days using the building blocks course.

In the blended training approach, trainees completed the course materials online on their own and a summary presentation of the main concepts of the session was given by the facilitator. Each session concluded with and a question and answer with open discussion. Trainees also put their learning to work by analysing and scoring building blocks individually and in a group and presented their group work in the plenary session.

Approach & participants

Forty-two participants took part in the trainings with 28 completing both the basic and building blocks courses. Of those who completed both courses, 12 were from district WASH sector offices and one from a district utility. All three female participants completed both courses. From district trainees, only one had a laptop so the majority of participants used smartphones. Almost all participants did not have an email address before the training making initial access to the course challenging.

 Table of participants

During the basic course, trainees read course materials, watched animations, listened to podcasts and videos, and did exercises and tests for a given amount of time followed by a summarized presentation of the main concepts of each session led by the facilitator using examples from the local context. Then participants were asked to reflect on their understanding based on their context.

In the building blocks course, the facilitator first presented a summary of the session followed by participants completing each interactive module online. Each module was followed by a question and answer with discussion. The training concluded with individual and group building block analysis and scoring of their sector with their group work presented back to the plenary. For the group work, WHH’s Sustainable Service Checklist (SSC) was used.

Of the two approaches, the majority of participants favoured the first one used in the basic training where they first completed the online course on their own followed by a question and answer and discussion.

Reflection of trainees

Training participants discussing building block scoring

At the end of the training participants were requested to reflect on the impact of the training on their day-to-day work, the benefit of blended learning over self-paced learning, the benefits of e-learning, and why the number of female participants was small.

Trainees mentioned the basic training helped them to understand importance of an inventory in strengthening their WASH systems and were better able to contribute to the design of data collection tools. Between the two trainings, IRC WASH supported WHH and the three districts to undertake an inventory of community water supply and institutional WASH facilities and services. Participants conducted the inventory with commitment.

The Seka District Water and Energy Office Head, Mr. Hirphasa Gudina, said, “The trainings helped me understand the gaps in the woreda WASH system and equipped me with necessary knowledge to strengthen our WASH system and give knowledge-based leadership.” Mr. Dechasa Anbusu, Facility Team Head of Seka District Water Office, said, “Before the training the woreda water office did not think it was necessary to establish service providers on small community water supply facilities like hand dug wells and on spot springs, but after the basic training they have started establishing Water and Sanitation Committees (WASHCOs) on all water supply facilities and supported them to open bank accounts.”

Trainees reflected that the blended training approach helped them to better capture the concepts under each session. Habtamu Tilahun, the Goma District Education Office Head, said, “I couldn’t understand all the concepts, especially the podcasts and the videos because of the pronunciation, however the facilitator supported me in explaining what was in those videos and podcasts.” All participants mentioned the question and answer with discussion helped them understand the situation beyond their sector and geographic boundary. They also mentioned the group work gave them better insight about their WASH system. In relation to the benefit of an e-learning platform, participants mentioned it has the advantage of reaching more people and reference materials are easy to share and can be found permanently.

Last, the trainees were asked to reflect on why the number of female participants was small. Addisu Abdela, the Goma Water Office Head, said, “The call for the training was based on post, and those who occupied the requested posts were assigned for the training. Post assignments are given based on level of education and field of study. The number of females in the WASH sector with required training and the level of education is limited.” Simegn Wakjira, the Mena Woreda Health Office WASH Focal, said, “Gender equality is mentioned only for political consumption, it is not on the ground.” Bizuayhu Bodena, the Goma District WASH Focal, said, “During post assignments, it is assumed females can’t discharge their roles as the post requires field work which is hard for females…and females have roles at home and can’t travel for field work. But when we are given opportunity, we do better than our male counterparts.”

Final thoughts

Overall, the provision of WASH systems strengthening training before commencing on the implementation of WASH systems strengthening activities seems to help get better buy-in by sector actors. The blended learning was helpful in contextualizing the content of training materials developed at a global level into the local context.

Because mobile phones are more affordable compared to laptops, they have reached every corner of Ethiopia, and users tend to use their mobile number to create access credentials. As phone numbers are unique, it would be good to facilitate the use of phone numbers to create access credentials for those that do not use email to overcome challenges setting up emails before the training.