Formation of the First Chiefdom CLTS Taskforce in Sierra Leone.

Introduction

At present in Sierra Leone there are active national and district taskforces. However there are no means to communicate directly with beneficiaries and for the beneficiaries to take the lead in coordination and monitoring Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) activities in their region. To resolve this, GOAL established the first chiefdom level CLTS taskforce (CTF) in May 2011 in Simbaru chiefdom in Kenema District.

When the implementing partner moves from their area of operation there is no means of monitoring if previously ODF communities are still ODF or continuing to motivate non-ODF communities to attain ODF status. This limits the sustainability of CLTS in Sierra Leone. GOAL believes that CTF can fill this vacuum by:

  • Creating and increasing awareness of CLTS at chiefdom level. There is already a community and district level awareness of CLTS through triggering and the establishment of district level taskforces. GOAL hopes to create a similar attentiveness of CLTS at chiefdom level by creating a CTF. GOAL hopes that this will stimulate 100% ODF chiefdoms and in future a 100% ODF district.
  • Empowering chiefdom authorities to take thelead in addressing their own sanitation i.e. through formulating and enforcing bye laws.
  • Facilitating the monitoring and reporting on CLTS activities at chiefdom level
  • Creating a linkage between CTF (who represent the beneficiaries), District and National taskforces (who represent the implementing partners), donors and government bodies.
  • By providing a platform for the chiefdom authorities and community individualsto get involve it is hoped that this will motivate them to take the lead in the monitoring and reporting of CLTS activities in their chiefdom GOAL hopes to enhance the sustainability of CLTS in Kenema District.

Figure 1: Falla Wandor CLTS taskforce members on the day of their election

Formation of the Chiefdom CLTS Taskforce

The formation of the first CTF in Simbaru was followed by the formation of three other CTFs in GOAL’s operational chiefdom of Dodo, Gaura and Wandor. These events attracted a large attendance, including Natural Leaders, Women Leaders, Youths Leaders, Religious Leaders, Teachers, Councilors, Chiefdom Health Overseers, Chiefdom Speakers and Paramount Chief Representatives. The formation of the CTF was led by the chiefdom people with the councilor chairing the meeting. GOAL only facilitated the event.

Picture 1: Gaura CLTS taskforce members on the day of their election

At this meeting, issues within their chiefdom in the implementation of CLTS, the purpose of the CLTS and how CTF will assist with the implementation of CLTS were discussed. After which the executive committee was elected and a plan of action was created. The selection as a member of the CTF should not be based on sentiment but people with the following attributes:

  • Be a resident within the chiefdom and have a development focus
  • Be respected, respectful and outspoken
  • Demonstrate willingness to move from one section/chiefdom to another when required on a voluntary basis
  • Volunteers should be approved by chiefdom people

Picture 2: Simbaru CLTS taskforce members on the day of their election

The executive memberswere drawn from all spheres of life within the chiefdom while the ordinary members were elected from equal number of Natural Leaders per section of the chiefdom. In all four chiefdom taskforces, the Chiefdom Health Overseers (CHOs) were selected as the chairperson. The CLTS Chiefdom Taskforce has the following composition:

ExecutiveOrdinary

  1. Chairperson and Vice F. Member - 14
  2. Secretary and Vice
  3. Public relations officer 1 and 2
  4. Treasurer
  5. Adviser

The Future of the Chiefdom Taskforce

The three CTFs have had their first meeting. At this meeting they formed their chiefdom sanitation bye laws and decided on the roles and responsibilities of the CTF. These roles and responsibilities included;

  • Organize meetings within the chiefdom to discuss CLTS and issues affecting the implementation of CLTS.
  • Coordinate and monitor the implementation of CLTS at Chiefdom level i.e. by organizing experience sharing forums among the natural leaders at section level, by monitoring communities as a group on a monthly basis and by taking part in ODF verification and celebration activities.
  • Provide updates on CLTS activities within their chiefdoms to the district CLTS task force either by attending the district level taskforce meetings or providing updates through GOAL.
  • Attend WaSH coordination meetings on behalf of their Chiefdoms
  • Formulate and enforce Sanitation bye laws established with consensus by communities.
  • Liaise with Implementing Partners at Chiefdom Level for a total CLTS chiefdom coverage.

Picture 3: Chiefdom Health Overseer of Simbaru performing his duties as chairman of the chiefdom taskforce

The formations of these CTFs is hoped to expedite the CLTS activities in the three chiefdoms and provide a formal platform for the involvement of the Chiefdom Health Overseers. These impacts of forming these CTFs will be monitored and if successful similar CTF will be formed in all chiefdom of Kenema in 2012.

By Thomas Powells,

Community Development Field Officer, GOAL