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Impact stories
Team Sacodé

Mid-Year Evaluation Retreat: Strengthening Our Actions for the Second Semester

26 Oct 2024

Together, we can improve the lives of Burundians.

Across Burundi, our programs are empowering communities to live healthy lives and improve their living conditions.

From July 31 to August 1, 2024, around twenty SaCoDé staff members gathered at the organization’s headquarters in Gasekebuye, Bujumbura, for a mid-year evaluation retreat. This event brought together center coordinators from the nine intervention provinces along with project managers. The gathering provided an opportunity to review the progress made in the first half of 2024, share lessons learned, and refine strategies for the second half of the year.

Review of Achievements and Sharing of Lessons Learned

The first focus of this retreat was a detailed analysis of accomplishments in the first semester of 2024. SaCoDé’s various projects were reviewed, including the distribution of rabbits to the most active Village Saving and Loan Associations (VSLAs), family planning awareness sessions through video projections, and efforts to expand the Agateka project to underserved areas. This progress analysis highlighted significant successes and pinpointed areas for improvement to better meet annual goals.

The exchange of lessons learned was especially enriching, as teams discussed strategies that were effective and those that fell short, aiming to maximize the overall impact of initiatives on the ground.


Adapting Activities for the Second Semester

In response to the first-semester outcomes, the retreat also allowed for an adjustment of actions for the second half of 2024. Coordinators and project managers identified ways to improve project management and execution, focusing on better resource allocation and increased efficiency in achieving set objectives. It was agreed to strengthen coordination between field teams and headquarters to better meet the needs of beneficiary communities.


Mental Health: An Essential Component of Workplace Well-Being

A highlight of the retreat was the session dedicated to mental health, a topic often overlooked in professional discussions. Led by Pastor Baluku Geofrey, this session emphasized the crucial importance of psychological well-being for individuals and teams. In often demanding work environments, where SaCoDé teams face numerous challenges on the ground, mental health plays a fundamental role in performance and resilience.

Pastor Geofrey reminded attendees that caring for mental health is just as vital as physical health. He encouraged participants to incorporate well-being practices into their daily routines, both for themselves and their teams, to foster a positive and stimulating work environment.



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