The consortium of ADRA Myanmar, Action Aid and ECODEV under the LIFT Fund project conducted its first project review and teambuilding workshop last July 1-3, 2010 at Panda Hotel in Yangon.  There were 22 participants representing each key department of the project.

This review is a regular feedback and experience sharing workshop toensure that the activities of this project are in line with the project plan.  The workshop was graced by senior management of each partner agencies such as Oliver Kyaw Aung (ADRA Programs Director), Lian Huai (ADRA Finance Director), Moira O’Leary (Action Aid Programs Manager) Win Myo Thu (ECODEV Managing Director).   Sessions and presentations were facilitated by Saya Win Myo Thu, Dr. Sital Kumar (Field Operations Manager of Action Aid) and Olive Orate (Delta Projects Coordinator of ADRA). The team also underwent teambuilding workshop to build unity, harmony and camaraderie among members of the team. Teambuilding workshops were facilitated by Olive Orate and U Kyaw Aung.

The next review will be on the first week of October 2010 and there will be a parallel topic on leadership.

The last few years are marked by a significant change in ADRA Myanmar. As challenges increase and the work at hand grows exponentially, ADRA Myanmar continues to expand, rising to respond to the development needs of areas within it’s purview.

ADRA’s programs and activities have grown and with it, the number of people it employs, which currently stands at 140.  This rise in number also corresponds to the need to ensure that the capabilities and skills of it’s staff is constantly upgraded and enhanced. Toward this goal of  maintaining a quality workforce for ADRA Myanmar, ADRA’s Programs Department headed by Kyaw Aung Oliver, and with the help  of external consultant Matthias Rimarzik, initiated a whole day of extensive staff capacity building workshop.  Staff from ADRA’s six offices converged in Yangon to imbibe a wide scope of principles on organizational values and work ethics.

ADRA’s mission is to build good partnerships with communities and people in need. Our aim is to help people to realize and learn that their development relies on their contribution and ownership. Due to our legacy and belief, we nurture an understanding that sustainable change includes all aspects of human life, which includes the physical, mental, social and spiritual/emotional needs. This foundational understanding shapes our programs and work performance at the field level. In order to make a difference, ADRA Myanmar comprise a committed staff that strives to cover all of these aspects of human existence.

ADRA Myanmar is a learning organization and is continuously seeking to strengthen its systems and structures of operation. The recent years challenged the organization such that major changes and improvements on ADRA’s systems became necessary. This process of organizational change is supported through ADRA’s world-wide network and by external expertise (consultancies) which result in enhanced performances, well defined roles and responsibilities and finally, to a higher level of accountability.

The partnerships we foster with national organizations and institutions as well as international donor organizations will help us to contribute to lasting improvements in communities and peoples’ livelihoods.