MISC NOTES

This section expands on different aspects of the project that were mentioned in the concept note. They are described in more detail below to document the concept note development process and to highlight the main parts that are still under development.

               i.     Volunteers and support network

This proposed project has the benefit of the support from the Barefoot College (which will provide the machinery required for production) as well as from a number of volunteers with a range of expertises relevant to the project and varying levels of commitment to the effort required to realise the ideas in the concept note. While the start up funds for preparing the working space is partially covered by a donation from one of the volunteers, all listed volunteers contributed ideas that made up the content therein. The management of the project in the first year will rely heavily on the four main contributors and draw support and advice from the experts group and the Barefoot College.

             ii.     Concept Note development

As stated in the project context, this project is motivated by the difficult economic situation of the BCWSE. The concept note development process involved several meetings with the Mona and Khadiga and the volunteer group (on 14^th May, 2^nd June, 2^nd July 2003), in addition to communication with experts on the various areas of their expertise related to the project. Guidelines on starting small businesses were used to construct a questionnaire for information gathering to identify project requirements and the commercial capital for donors and investors. A request to the Barefoot College for support was sent on 10^th July and a positive response was received on 12^th July from Bunker Roy[1] to confirm the willingness of BC to support this project. A further note from BC (sent by Meagan Carnahan Fallone[2] on 14^th July) confirmed the details of support that will be provided (machines for the productions of sanitary pads, chalk and candles) as well as items for resale. The concept note is still in draft form pending more information (discussed in (iv) through to (vi) in this section).

           iii.     Selection of business model (cooperative)

This process started by comparing two models. The first is the non-governmental organisation model (commonly used for institutionalising development-related projects) and the cooperative model (an older model of community-based organisations) which was suggested by Suad Badri (Rural development expert) and affirmed by Mohamed Ali Elmahasy, a veteran of one of the most successful cooperatives in Sudan. The group inclination is towards the cooperative model for the following factors:

·      Allows income generation activities by virtue of its orientation towards collective business ventures

·      Highlights cooperation and unity for collective ownership and management

·      Avoids complicated procedures and political orientation of the Humanitarian Affairs Commission (HAC) that regulated NGOs

While the cooperative model seems to fit the purpose of this project, it also has its difficulties such as the need for a minimum of 100 persons for the registration purpose, a challenge given the dispersed condition of the target community. The volunteer team, in consultation with the BCWSE and with the support of the expert group; are working on an action plan to meet the various registration requirements and on developing the constitution and management structure of the cooperative. 

            iv.     Production capability of project

The production capability for one of the products (sanitary pads) was estimated at 4000 pads a month. To estimate productivity for the two other products (chalk and candles), require information on raw material alternatives; as well as information on quantities of raw material consumed and number of items produced per machine run. 

              v.     Raw Material

At the onset, the project will be located in Khartoum for the benefit of the communities displaced by the conflict in South Kordofan. Upon the return of peace and normality in the region, it is expected that the BCWSE, the cooperative general committee and its leadership will decide on how to expand the structure or whether to relocate to South Kordofan.  A preliminary information gathering exercise showed that some of the raw material (such as cotton and dyes) can be obtained from local trees in the Nuba Mountains. This idea will be investigated by the volunteer team given its direct impact on reducing expenditure, and potential to impact local farmers and the use of local resources and traditional knowledge. 

            vi.     Donations

a.         Barefoot College Donation:

·       1 complete set up of sanitary making machine and supplies ready (for production)

·       1 set of supplies for making candles (for production)

·       1 set of supplies for making chalk (for production)

·       1 set of universal eyes glasses (for resale)

b.         Sondra Hale Donation:

·      The amount donated equals 2000 US$. This amount will be exchanged at current rates at the time of start of the project (approximately 5.5 SDG = 1 US$ --old rate pre recent lifting of subsidies in September 2013)

a.       Tarig Eltigay Donation:

·       This donation secures rental for the first 6 months (estimated at 3000 SDG)

          vii.     The following estimates are missing from the current budget:

·      Cooperative registration fees and general assembly meeting expenses

·      Product pricing survey

·      Making product labels in local language with instructions for usage

·      Product packaging (this can utilise BC training on paper bag making)

·      Marketing campaign expenses

·      Furniture for working space

·      Expenses of equipment Release from seaport and transport to Khartoum

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[1] Founder and Director of the Barefoot College (www.barefootcollege.org).

[2] Global Strategy & Development, Barefoot College.