Participatory Self-Review and Planning (PSRP) Workshop with Project Partners

A two day Participatory Self-Review and Planning (PSRP) workshop, with all project partners from Thailand and Laos, was organized June 5 – 6, 2010, in Udornthani province, one of the Northeastern provinces of Thailand.  

The workshop was intended to review the PSRP process, share experiences in conducting PSRP for each project partner and come up with the PSRP training module that will be used as the standard PSRP guideline for project partners under Heifer Thailand projects. 

The workshop began with a Bai Sri Su Kwan welcome ceremony, a Northeastern tradition of greeting guests and visitors.  Tying a white cotton thread around the wrist is the symbol of welcoming a good spirit and sharing love, which also reflects Heifer’s Cornerstones, especially spirituality. 

Before giving the stage to project partners, who would present their experiences in conducting PSRP, the Heifer Thailand team gave a couple of challenging statements: (1) the  group improvement plan after PSRP is a SMART plan and (2) PSRP should focus only on project-related issues or sustainable development.

Then, 11 project partners presented their recent PSRP activities, as well as their ideas on what PSRP meant to them. Mr. Sakdawut Jasae, Community Facilitator from Rural Community Development Project (RCDP) from Northern Thailand, said, “PSRP is like a motorcycle; We have to check the engine regularly, so that the engine works well.”

Mr. Amao Pongpanawal, Project Coordinator of Capacity Improvement of Tribal Community in the Namfang Basin (CITC), added, “PSRP is like the mirror that reflects what we have done. After we get the results, we have to set the goal and everyone has to work together to reach that goal.” 

After the presentations, there was feedback with questions and answers from the floor. Also, three group works discussed PSRP steps, good practices, challenges and techniques that can build strong Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and achieve three levels of impact. 

From this workshop, the PSRP guideline will be developed so project partners, old and new, will have a tool to use in conducting PSRP.  It was also agreed that PSRP would be completed every four months to help group members review themselves, reflect on cornerstone application, discuss project status, challenges and progress of the group improvement plan, celebrate achievements and set up new objectives. 

This was also a good opportunity for all project partners from different regions to get to know each other and to learn from one another through hearing their experiences and challenges, which could be adapted to each work upon the individual’s return to their base.