What are Rapid Impact Projects (RIPs)?

A Rapid Impact Project is a small infrastructure project which is implemented in the period of 3-5 months. These projects require limited technical input, which should encourage complete project cycle management at the community level.

 

The ICBSP has completed the preparation phase and there is a need to have a clear point of demarcation between the stage of preparation and the new stage of implementation. This is based primarily on the feedback from the community organizers' reports that highlight:

  • The heightened sense of anxiety within the community as a cause of the intensity of the preparation work that was conducted

  • The need to see things being done in the community

  • A need to test the readiness of the community before large-scale project implementation is conducted.

These recommendations are timely as there is indeed a desire to frontload the project’s implementation in order to maximize the possibilities of positive impacts.

 

Rapid Impact Projects (RIPs) are aimed at creating an opportunity to test the capacity of the communities and highlight the possible bottlenecks for the implementation of higher levels of investments that are proposed.

 

 The use of RIPs is an opportunity to directly relate the practical training that will be offered to the Communities by the Social Development Commission (SDC) to the implementation of tangible projects within the communities. This use of theoretical principles with practical implementation has been advanced as a viable option for pedagogy and is proffered as a “best practice” for the capacity development in Community Based Organizations
(CBOs).

 

In order to heighten the slope of the learning curve with respect to acceptance and trust by the community for the new Community Liaison Officers (CLOs), RIPS will allow:

  • New CLOs to interact with the community and be seen as doers

  • CLO’s to interact and know key players in the community

  • New CLO’s to be able to interact with older CLO’s and thereby facilitate the transition process that may be difficult in some communities.

The Rapid Impact Project is supported by the community and is imperative to the investments that are to be made as a part of the Inner City Basic Services for the Poor Project (ICBSP). We hope to build social capital that is lacking in the community by focusing on the youth.

 

Goals and Objectives of Rapid Impact Projects (RIPs)

  • RIPs implemented in all ICBSP communities within 5 months through participatory approaches inclusive of all community stakeholders.

  • Improved quality of life in inner cities and poor urban informal settlements through improved access to basic services, enhanced community capacity and improved public safety.

Potential Outcomes

  • Increased access and improved quality of basic infrastructure services for inner city community residents.

  • The completion of RIPs by December 2006, within the targeted communities of the ICBSP.

  • Increase the capacity of Community organisations to manage and implement projects through the practical application of taught methodology.

  • Increase the positive profile of CLOs within the community.

Types of projects to include

  • Play Areas; Green spaces; Multi Purpose Play fields; Foot paths; Zinc Fence removal

Rapid Impact Projects October – December 2006

 

Federal Gardens Rapid Impact Project (Summary)

 

Project Title

  • Play area for Children 2 – 12 years

Project Location

  • The Reading Room/Library at 1st Street Federal Gardens, Kingston 12.

Duration

  • October 30-December 30, 2006

Proposal

  • To create child-friendly play area for approximately 200 children to engender unity amongst the youth and
    promote balanced development. We are therefore not only building a play area, but rather an enabling environment
    in which issues relating to parenting, unity, child development and literacy can be addressed. A timetable will therefore be developed to manage play and academics.

Project Contact Person

  • Mr.Wayne Gray, President of the community committee.

JSIF Project Officer(s)

  • Grace-Ann Scarlett & Nesta Andrews

Partner Organisation

  • Trench Town Development Association.

Beneficiaries

  • The project will benefit 600 young children from 1st to 6th Street and the wider community of Federal Gardens.

Project Goals and Objectives

  • The goal of the project is to provide access to recreational activities and to minimize unstructured/unsupervised play and
    create a “safe zone” for children. The project aims to support a parenting network and address illiteracy and child development.

  • An objective of the project is to develop a child-friendly space for approximately 200 children between ages 2-12 in the community of Federal Gardens by March 2007.

Project Activities will include

  • Training in Project Management, Play Area Development, Installing Play Equipment and Park Bench

Land tenure

  • The area is Government owned and has been leased to the Trench Town Development Association. Permission has been granted to the Jamaica Social Investment Fund.

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Tawes Pen Rapid Impact Project (Summary)

 

Project Title

  • Drain Cleaning for Tawes Pen Community

Project Location

  • The main drain predominantly on the western side of the community running from St. Johns Road to Old Harbour Road.

Duration

  • October 23 – November 23, 2006

Proposal

  • To restore good environmental practices and community perceptions of public safety through the cleaning of the main drain and the initiation of environmental awareness programmes in the community.

Project Contact Person

  • Shawn Thompson. Vice President of the Community Committee.

JSIF Project Officer(s)

  • Peta-gay Pryce & Fay Robinson

Partner Organisation

  • Social Development Commission (SDC)– they will acquire tools; Food for the Poor – this organisation will acquire equipment and; National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) via Member of Parliament Olivia Grange, will donate tractors and trucks.

Beneficiaries

  • Approximately 1,822 residents. The project will benefit the citizens of Tawes Pen and the wider Spanish Town community.

Project Goals and Objectives

  • To reduce the amount of solid waste that compromises the integrity of the environment in the Tawes Pen community

  • To restore good environmental practices and community perceptions of public safety

  • To remove the excess solid waste and debris from the gully system to eliminate flooding that affects the entire community of Tawes Pen and begin capacity building of the community to effectively manage solid waste management issues by November 23, 2006.

Project Activities will include

  1. Training

  2. Procurement

  3. Removal of blockage from culverts

  4. Clear drain of refuse and garbage

  5. Desludge drains

  6. Clear debris and obstacles from sides of drains

  7. Cart garbage and sludge away to dump

  8. Removal of fences from residencies (if necessary)

Land tenure

  • In the event that fences of residents along the gully have to be removed, the proper documentation and permission to do so will be provided before that aspect of the project is carried out.

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Knollis Rapid Impact Project (Summary)

 

 

Project Title

  • Refurbish and equip multi-purpose court. Develop play area/enclose and provide play equipment (swings, slides, climbers) for small children.

Address of Organisation

  • Knollis, Bog Walk, Saint Catherine. The specific location is the playfield located directly along Mandela Road (main entrance to Knollis project area) bordered by an abandoned train line, the Knollis Housing Scheme and the Knollis Basic School.

Duration

  • October 30, 2006 - December 30, 2006

Proposal

  • The aim of the RIP in Knollis is to foster the development of social capital within the Community of Knollis, especially among youth in the age group 4 – 25 years, through their engagement in sports and games. The project will seek to rehabilitate the existing multipurpose court . The RIP will also create a play area for the children of the community and the children that attend the basic school in the community.

Project Contact Person

  • Thricia Brooks, Chairman of Community Committee.

JSIF Project Officer(s)

  • Peta Gay Pryce & Leroy Anderson

Partner Organisation

  • Knollis Basic School and Member of Parliament

Beneficiaries

  • The approximate population of Knollis is 1,200 persons with a total of 224 households. It is estimated that at least 20% of the households are youth in the age group 9 – 25 years. This group will benefit from the project.

Project Goals and Objectives

  • The Goal of the project is to use sports and games as a means of facilitating unity among youth at risk, through improved facilities to host youth friendly activities.

  • To rehabilitate the Multipurpose court to host basket ball, netball and volley ball games for community members by December 2006

  • To develop a child-friendly space for approximately 100 children between ages 4-9 in the community by December 2006

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Project Activities will include

  • Markings of the court

  • Repairs to fencing and installation of basketball netball and volleyball

  • Chain Link Fence

  • Earth Works

  • Fill Material

  • Play Equipment

  • Park Bench

Land tenure

  • The Member of Parliament has used the land to build the existing court. A request was made to the Commissioner of Lands for permission to be formally granted to JSIF based on the previous use by the Member of Parliament as land used for community purposes.

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Whitfield Town - Zone A 33 Waltham Park Road – Oakland Road Rapid Impact Project

 

Project Title

  • Multi-Purpose Court

Project Location

  • St. Peter Claver Primary School, 33 Lane (Off Waltham Park Road) Kingston 13.

Duration

  • October 30-December 30,2006

Proposal

  • To complete the building of a youth-friendly community space by fencing a multipurpose playing field to host sporting competitions and other community development activities.

Project Contact Person

  • Michael Whittington. Chairman of the Community Committee.

JSIF Project Officer(s)

  • Grace-Ann Scarlett & Geraldine Garwood

Partner Organisation

  • Sports Development Foundation. This organisation will assist with the Asphalting and furnishing of the multi-purpose court.

Beneficiaries

  • Approximately 2,000 youth and other persons. The project will benefit the youth in 33 Waltham Park to Oakland Road and the wider community of Whitfield Town.

Project Goals and Objectives

  • To use sports to minimize crime and violence to promote integration among youth and build community awareness.

  • To support the development of a multi-purpose sports area to enhance the socialization of 80% of the youth in the community of 33 Waltham Park Road to Oakland Road by December 2006.

Project Activities will include

  • Project Management Training; Repairs and New Wall Construction enclosure to multipurpose court (multiple Exits); chain link fence and; gates and lighting

Land tenure

  • The land is government owned and has been identified for the community. The councillor is presently working to acquire a copy of the land title.

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Flankers Rapid Impact Project (Summary)

 

Project Title

  • Rehabilitation of a multi-purpose court

Project Location

  • On the grounds of the Flanker Primary and Junior High School.

Duration

  • October 30, 2006- February 1, 2007

Proposal

  • To foster the development of social capital within the Community of Flankers, especially among youth in the age group 9 - 25 years, through their engagement in sports and games. The Rapid Impact Project will see the rehabilitation of the existing multipurpose court and the integration of the Youth Recreation and Education component of the Project into the programmes of the community led by the Community Committee. The proposed RIP also seeks to introduce appropriate lighting on the field to address the community safety issues that currently exist. Additionally, the RIP will build seating for the facility to make it more accommodating for community events and functions.

Project Contact Person

  • Lionie McKenzie, President of the Community Committee

JSIF Project Officer(s)

  • Peta Gay Pryce, Paulette Dixon & John Meeks

Partner Organisation

  • The Social Development Commission and the Flankers Primary and Junior High.

Beneficiaries

  • The area of Flankers is in the order of 37 ha. with a population of 7,148 (STATIN Population Census, 2001) giving a residential density is 193 persons per ha.

Project Goals and Objectives

  • To rehabilitate the existing multipurpose court on the playing field of the Flankers Primary and Junior High School to meet the needs of community youth based organizations and the youth in the community in general. The Multipurpose court will host basket ball, netball and volley ball games with due regard for the appropriate entrance and exit for the community, and school, and the safety of the school's property by March 2007. The existing multipurpose court will be Retrofitted with appropriate seating and lighting for 150 members of the community.

Project Activities will include

  • Providing seating in bleachers stand Electrical lighting and fixtures.

Land tenure

  • The land is located on the grounds of the school and permission is being formalized with the principal and school board.

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Bucknor Rapid Impact Project (Summary)

 

Project Title

  • Rehabilitation of the Football Field

Project Location

  • Rectory Land Road, Rectory Land. The proposed site is located towards the back of the community. Almost all the streets/roads in the community have easy access to the field.

Duration

  • October 27-December 30, 2006

Proposal

  • The community of Bucknor / Rectory Land has proposed to properly develop the plot of land reserved for the community into a scrimmage football field. The idea is to provide a youth friendly space for positive engagement of young persons ages 6 - 30 in physical activity. The immediate process includes grading the plot of land, planting grass, provision of goal posts and marking out the field. Provisions will also be made for lighting, water works and garbage disposal.By the time 90% of the funds would have been expended from JSIF, all supporting documentation for community contribution will be provided.

Project Contact Person

  • Solomon Scille, President of the Citizens Association

JSIF Project Officer(s)

  • Peta Gay Pryce and Damion Young

Partner Organisation

  • The member of Parliament, the National Water Commission and the Social Development Commission.

Beneficiaries

  • The project will benefit a population of approximately 1,150 persons, inclusive of the youth and the wider community of Bucknor.

Project Goals and Objectives

  • The Goal of the project is to provide space for engagement of young people and remove them from the street through organized sports and games by the community based organizations. The immediate objective is to Provide a scrimmage field and seating as a medium through which sports and games can be used to "build vibes" for 90% of the youth in the community by December 2006.

Project Activities will include

  • Clear site to outline the football field and cart away rubbish from the site; import topsoil and grade to 1:120 falls; Import 150mm thick of topsoil to field for grass planting and grade to 1:250 falls; make provision for goal posts and seating and make provision for marking out field with 100mm thick white lime or oiling.

Land tenure

  • The proposed site for the football field has been reserved as community property. The president of the Community Committee, in collaboration with the Community Liaison Officer is working assiduously to acquire the land title, which will be submitted before implementation of the project.