RVWRMP Is Like an Open University Where We Can Learn About Every Development Sector - Durga Bhatta
Durga Prasad Bhatta worked as an MIS officer in RVWRMP from September 2020 to February 2022.
Q1: What are you proud of having achieved with RVWRMP over the years?
RVWRMP works in remote communities and touches the life of many people through WASH, livelihood and other interventions. The project has worked without corruption and even through the pandemic. Successful RVWRMP working modalities are models that are very useful for the Nepal government as well and should be replicated in upcoming projects and programmes.
Q2: What are the biggest challenges you have observed in your area of expertise and how they affect the life of people in Sudurpaschim and Karnali Provinces?
The main challenges I have observed were the following:
Difficulties in fulfilling staff requirements, deciding RM level institutional arrangement and improving capacity of elected representatives after federal restructuring.
Provincial and RM level planning needs to be improved
Internet access and digital literacy in communities is poor making it difficult to utilize modern services.
Quality of education needs to be improved.
Sustainability of RVWRMP contributions needs to be ensured.
Q3: What are your biggest learning experiences from your work? What message do you want to give to the staff that remain?
RVWRMP is like an open university where we can learn about every development sector. When I worked as MIS officer, I learned practical things that built on my academic studies. Working for the project was a turning point in my life, as I learned the real dynamics of development. RV University provided me a high level of professionalism as well as growth in practical knowledge for future careers. I would like to encourage remaining staff to share their contributions and knowledge for others.
Q4: What specific moments / events you particularly remember from your time in RVWRMP? Why were they so memorable?
I will always remember the Internal Coordination Meetings and Technical Coordination Meetings as the real events where we could plan, learn and share what we have done. These events gave us all knowledge on: Effective planning and monitoring, time and cost savings and quality assurance. The meetings are an effective learning and sharing period despite being short.
Q5: What will you miss most from your time with RVWRMP?
I will really miss my RVWRMP family and the friendly working environment. I would like to give a big thanks to the Deputy Team Leader for providing this wonderful working opportunity. Working with previous organisations, it was not so easy to show my skills, but the RVWRMP team and DTL put time to discover my strengths and provided a wonderful working environment even during the COVID pandemic. I would really like to thank the DTL and whole RWRMP family.
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After 17 years, RVWRMP is coming to an end in 2022. This interview is a part of documenting the RVWRMP legacy from long-term staff members.
