A week in the life of an ADP Manager

Sunday, June 16, 2013

Francis Chimpangu is the Area Development Programme manager at Keembe, and has worked there for 4 years. Read along as he tells us about a typical week working for World Vision in Zambia.

By Francis Chimpangu, edited by Pamela Hamasaka

Monday
As usual my alarm clock woke me up at 4:45 am. I quickly got dressed and was headed for morning devotions organized by our local Church every day at 5:00 am. It was a soul soothing experience to begin the week in the presence of the Lord.


I reported for work just some few minutes before 8:00 am. We began our working day with devotions.


This was followed by our weekly staff meeting where planned activities for the week are highlighted, and logistics are worked out. Since there is only one vehicle, it is a challenge to coordinate all the activities that required transport; we usually manage this by identifying those that could be carried out together, and utilizing the two available motorbikes.

Later after the meeting, I reviewed key documents (budgets, proposals and other internal WV files) for two new projects just starting and later drafted letters to the District Commissioner (DC) introducing the projects.


Later in the afternoon, I visited with the DC to introduce the two new projects. I shared with him the project objectives and urged him and other relevant government line ministries to continue supporting World Vision to ensure the success of all the integral programs.

I then visited the community to prepare them for a high profile visit by World Bicycle Relief (WBR). The community was so excited to receive a team of donors. One of the recipients shared with us her story and how she lives.

Tuesday
I felt exceedingly blessed during this morning’s devotions when Elder Sitima was excellent again in his sharing on the topic: positive confession and how what we say affects our lives either positively or negatively.

Immediately after devotions with my staff, I was off for Makoka area to monitor the construction of a Rural Health Centre (RHC). Makoka is about 70 km away, but because it is engulfed by a stream, one has to use a longer route, about 150 km, taking over three hours to get there.

This time we took a shorter route, crossing the stream in a small canoe with my motorbike. It was a scary undertaking because the weight of the bike could topple the canoe any moment.

During the crossing, my mobile phone accidentally fell into the stream when I was speaking to our seed suppliers. We were late on our payments for groundnut seed and I was trying to explain why. Thank God I managed to quickly retrieve the phone and dry it and it worked again.

Once at Makoka, we found that works were progressing very well, though the electrical fittings were not very professionally done. I immediately requested the contractor to get back to the site to rectify what was not properly done. The community expressed joy and optimism at the prospect of having a functional clinic closer to their homes. We arrived back from the site around 7:00pm.

Wednesday
After devotions, every Wednesday I reviewed all financial documents. I checked payment request vouchers, approved various documents, and signed cheques to allow for various payments to be made.


Most of the afternoon and into the evening was dedicated to finalizing a detailed implementation plan for a new pilot project. I also used part of the afternoon to compile a document summarising ADP accomplishments to date. All staff submitted their accomplishments and I had to compile the final document.


Thursday
The ADP has been selected to host the peer reviewer team, and we have dedicated Thursday’s devotion time to prepare for this by reviewing WV key policy documents; today’s was Advocacy.

Then we were visited by WBR with a group of donors. We met with 10 caregivers and talked with them about what it is like to be a caregiver, and shared success stories.

After that we all cycled (our guests all had WBR bicycles) with a caregiver to her home to allow our visitors see the traditional housing setup. The total distance covered was about 10-15 km. We then cycled together to her first client’s house, where we met two of her clients and heard their stories, including what the caregiver does for each one of them. It was so encouraging to see how selfless some can be in serving the lives of others, and how transforming the result is in the lives of their clients.

Friday
In today’s devotions we looked at integrity and learnt that it means wholeness and being one person in speech and action.

WV was selected to participate in the national population census logistics and recruitment committees. Around mid-morning, I attended a committee meeting called by the DC, where we discussed how to use some bicycles received by the district for the census exercise.

I ended the day reviewing required labour reporting that all staff must complete, and approving it for all staff, so we could get paid for the month!

And thus ended a very busy, rewarding and fruitful week!