I would like to acknowledge and express great gratitude to the Gweru Residents and Ratepayers

Association nagement and employees for making my work related learning experience successful
and enjoyable. Special thanks goes to Ms.H.Mutanga, my work related supervisor for her wavering
support and her passion which enabled me to pull through the work related period. Special thanks
also goes to Mr. S. Sekenhamo (Director of Health services) and Miss Moyo who shared their
knowledge with me and made my work related learning a success. I would also like to thank my
academic supervisor and my parents for their unwavering supporting and creating a conducive
environment for me to attain this goal.

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS

WHO World Health Organisation

ZINWA Zimbabwe National Water Authority

CBD Central Business Department

COVID 19 Novel Corona Virus 2019

SDGs Sustainable Development Goals

EMA Environmental Management Agency

GCC Gweru City Council

GPH Gweru Provincial Hospital

GRRA Gweru Residents and Ratepayers Association

GRF Gweru Residents Forum

MOHCW Ministry of Health and Child Welfare

SWM Solid Waste Management

ZPS Zimbabwe Prison Services

ZMA Zimbabwe Military Academy

ZINWA Zimbabwe National Water Authority

ZRP Zimbabwe Republic Police

ABSTRACT

This report is based on the student’s work experience at Gweru Residents and Ratepayers
Association for a period of ten months. The main aim of this report is to give analysis of various tasks
and activities during the wok-related period. This report will elaborate the acknowledgements and
appreciation of the organization’s contribution towards the student. It will also show the vitality of
being on work related learning as modules learnt at college are linked to the activities of the local
authority.

It seeks to show what actually transpired thus the duties, relevant to the degree Programme
(DEVELOPMENT STUDIES) and skills obtained during the attachment period, thus acquiring and
developing work competences, leadership and interpersonal skills in partial fulfilment of the
Honours Degree in Development Studies.
BACKGROUND

Due to the declining of service delivery in urban centres of Zimbabwe life for urban residents took an
associational approach rather than individualistic one .As such a basic need approach led to the rise
and formation of Community Based Organisations in form of Resident Associations. The main
concern for these associations is to improve service delivery in their communities. Service delivery
means access to the daily needs such as water, food, sanitation, medical services, schools ,waste
management and all other services offered by local government in exchange of rates. Most residents
besides service delivery issues, associations are formed to improve citizen participation on local
governance issues, empower citizens on those issues that concern them, educate residents on their
rights and engage residents with their leaders for transparency and accountability. It is in these lines
that Gweru Residents and Ratepayers was formed legally in line with the 2013 Constitution of
Zimbabwe chapter 14 to advocate for improved service delivery in Gweru. For 2020 the organisation
centred on the topic enhancing citizen participation on government process funded by a Swedish
organisation called Diakonia.
CHAPTER ONE:ORGANISATION

MISSION STATEMENT.

Gweru Residents and Ratepayers Associations is mission is to monitor and advocate for efficient
service delivery through engagement for inclusive development. It views development as a short to
medium term outcome of desirable targets hence its mission is to monitor the responsible
authorities services to improve accountability and transparency .It further advocates for best
services for the residents to promote efficiency for instance in issues to do with water ,refuse
collection and health facilities. The motive behind is to have safe and clean cities from
communicable diseases.

VISION \OBJECTIVES

Empowered residents who are fully aware of their rights and can meaningfully participate in the
development of Gweru. GRRAs concerns are people-centred, ‘designed to best service the needs of
the public by providing opportunities for meaningful participation’(Schulz 2013: 35).

CORE VALUES

GRRRA values are grounded by the principles of the constitution of Zimbabwe which states
Transparency,non –dictrimitory

Inclusivity

Constitutionalism

Accountability

Non Partisan

ORGANISATION STRUCTURE.

ORGANOGRAM.

GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT.

The Structure

The structure is a single entity. The structure consists of the President, Vice President, Secretary
General, Treasurer-General, Organising Secretary The board is the highest administrative organ of
the GRRA and acts or approves all new businesses, appointments of permanent or full time staff and
programmes of the GRRA.
The President of the Board

Chairing the meetings of the executive committee to ensure orderly conduct of the agenda and time
allocated to each item, directing discussions, and summing up decisions and discussions. Leading the
executive committee in strategic planning, financial accountability, fundraising, evaluation of
programmes performance and its individual members. Arranging annual appraisal of the executive
committee and the director without limiting the principles. Representing the GRRA on public
occasions. Providing leadership to executive committee members who set policy to whom the
Director is accountable and Acting as the link between the executive committee and the director
without limiting the principles of collective responsibility and executive committee discussions.
Ideally the president should meet the Director prior to the Executive Committee meeting so as to be
fully informed and give appropriate advice.

Vice President

Shall carry out the duties of the President in his or her absence. Shall chair the disciplinary
committee.

Secretary General

Ensures that all Executive Committee members receive all executive papers and necessary
information in good time before each executive meeting. Attend meetings records keeping and
circulate minutes of the Executive Committee and AGM meetings. Keep a registrar of all names and
addresses of all members of the Executive Committee. Communicate with the Registrar of Gweru
Municipal Council and other authorities as required by the law. Read the minutes and
correspondence at the Executive Committee and AGM meetings.

Treasurer-General

Providing financial oversight for financial year of the organisation and give advice to the executive
Committee on the finances and control as well as operation of the GRRA. Reporting to the Executive
committee and at the AGM on the financial matters and standing the organisation, Receiving annual
financial reports from the management team section Ensuring that proper books of accounts are
kept by the Directorate Within three months after of each end of year financial year of the
organisation cause the accounts of GRRA to be audited by such auditors as appointed by the
AGMPrepare a financial report for the AGM.

Organising Secretary

Shall implement all the decisions and resolutions of the Board.Committee members.

Shall carry out any other duties for and on behalf of the Executive committee as delegated by the
President and shall be assigned to any Sub-committee for the furthermore of the Executive
Committee mandate

THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE ORGANISATION.

GRRA as an organisation has achieved much so far. From inception it has had a membership drive
and managed to have more than 200 members registered and active .GRRA has its structures in all
19 wards of Gweru and each structure has 10 members hence counting 190 active ,informed and
empowered members ready to share and teach other residents what they have leant. Now that
GRRA has shifted from fighting and accusing the City of Gweru to a more friendly approach to
enhance coordination and engagement, it has managed to mobilise residents in the first quarter of
the year to demonstrate to council through paying their bills. The demonstration by pay helped
council to buy water purifying chemical as noted by the Gweru Mayor, Mr Makombe J thus an
increase in council revenue that month. Amongst other achievements GRRA has also managed to
speed up and advocate for a police post in Ward 3 under the former Mayor Hamutendi Kombayi. It
has since instilled a sense of safety and secured nights for the Northlea residents who were living in
a society fife with crime such as theft, murder and domestic violence for a long time. As we speak
Northlea residents are planning via its committee to build a permanent building now that land has
been allocated by council through GRRRA successful advocacy to ensure a quick response. Through
GRRA ward based meetings and citizen accountability forums, a more responsible resident is bred
every day. This is evidenced by residents’ capacity to engage their leaders on issues concerning their
communities hence channelling dialogue for a sustainable development. This engagement especially
in ward 3, 4 ,8 and 15 has seen ward whatsap platforms being created with councillors in them to
facilitate feedbacks ,consultations and reports as well as informing residents during this Covid 19
era. It is noble to see residents take community issues such as waste management as their
responsibility rather than council’s task. Chikwadzis ward and ward 8 Hutano Hupenyu group of
Ascot has took it as their responsibility to clean their communities .This is a stance meant to protect
communities from communicable diseases such as cholera, dysentery and typhoid as well as malaria
since heaped waste can provide a breeding ground for mosquitoes. Considering the high cost of
living, the shortages of medical facilities as well as council constrains to collect refuse regularly
thanks to GRRA for such empowerment which has led to regular clean up campaigns. It is indeed an
endogenous approach that can lead to sustainable development thus fulfilling the theme Enhancing
citizen participation on governance process. The other strength that organisation has is the power of
mobilisation to an extent that the council has once asked GRRAs hand in mobilising residents on
budget consultation. This further shows the level of coordination the organisation has with the local
authority which is rare in most cities and circumstances where city council and resident
organisations are at each other’s throat. Such relations gives power to progress and sustainable
development. The exhibition of awareness is showed by the women’s capacity to bring a water
source to their community ward 11 after a long period of time of suffering water shortages landing 5
of them to jail after trespassing in a police to fetch water from a borehole. The capacity to influence
change in their communities is admirable and a mile stone for GRRA through programs like ideas
laboratory and duty bearers and rights holders. After an outcry by residents towards the hiking of
clamping fees which was raised from $30rtgs to $US30 , GRRA managed to write a letter on behalf of
the residents to the City council requesting that it should be revised to ensure an affordability by
citizenry. In 2 days the clamping fees were reduced to $US5 hence a citizenry that can influence
decision making and also taking action collectively towards improved service delivery. Woodlands
residents have seen GRRA advocating for them on the removal of the dumpsite which has become a
hazard in the community. For about more than ten years now residents have complained about the
dumpsite and requested for its removal but their efforts were fruitless leaving them hopeless
especially this Covid time. Upon submitting a petition to city of Gweru signed by a huge number of
residents from Mkoba and Woodlands copied to the minister of state, minister of lands, the District
Coordinator as well as the town Clerk including the Vungu Rural District Council progress upon the
relocation and removal of the dumpsite was clear as the Mayor announced that the land to relocate
the dumpsite have been located and necessary logistics to facilitate the process such as chemicals
and machine was underway.

SERVICES BEING OFFERED

Increasingly, the organisations concerns are people-centred, ‘designed to best service the needs of
the public by providing opportunities for meaningful participation’ (Schulz 2013: 35). In the same
vein GRRA is a people centred organisation vying for developments through grassroots participation
to local development issues. A community based approach initiated by GRRA makes their services
emanate from the community. Thus GRRA advocates for those issues affecting the safety of
residents. For instance Wodlands resident’s safety is threatened by the dumpsite that is a few
meters away from the residential area, that’s is where GRRA comes in with a collective voice to push
for the required progress. It also advocates for policy changes, the upholdment off human rights and
civil liberties. GRRA catalyses council process to help solve problems facing residents, for instance if
a sewer is burst a call from GRRA speeds up the required response and that is service delivery.

Escobar (2013: 36) argues that ‘participatory democracy is undergoing processes of

professionalization and institutionalisation, most notably in Europe and the United States’,
particularly where the law mandates public participation (Bryson et al 2013: 26).Citizens’
participation in various forms, including RAs, is sometimes seen to promote better decisions and
‘more efficiency benefits to the rest of society’ (Irvin & Stansbury 2004: 56).

People are keen to live in places that guarantee access to clean water, secure neighbourhood, clean
environment among other basic services. Sustainable Development Goal number 11 envisages
sustainable cities and communities by the year 2030. What this means is that the world should work
towards making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable. This is
achievable but challenges are expected given the rapid urban population growth that will increase
demand for basic services in urban areas. Governments across the world must therefore come up
with effective mechanisms that will lead to attainment of the goals.

With the expected high urban population, provision of acceptable standards of services will require
joint efforts from various players such as the government, private sector and ordinary citizens. The
citizens can only be effective in their role if they are well organized and have well established
mechanisms such as Resident Associations as tools for engaging the government on service delivery
issues.

GRRA have been instrumental in advocating for better services and demanding compliance to the
rule of law. Residents are no longer willing to sit back and lament about poor services or wait for the
government to avail services. Through GRRA residents have taken charge of their neighbourhood
and are actively involved in ensuring that they can access services such as garbage collection,
security, water supply and protection of open spaces within the neighbourhood.

The Associations have also been instrumental in protecting the property value and aesthetic appeal
of their neighbourhood by demanding that any new development taking place within the
neighbourhood must conform to the planning and zoning laws governing the area. For example,
recently, GRRA has questioned the location of the Woodlands people near a dumpsite.

The place of GRRA in the achievement of sustainable cities and communities cannot therefore be
overemphasized. The Constitution has elaborate provisions for public participation in decision
making and Resident Associations have emerged as one of the most effective ways of promoting
public participation at the neighbourhood level. ADVOCACY

 LOBBYING
 REPRESENTATION
 VOICE OF THE VOICELESS
 MEDIATOR
ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANISATION

Gweru Residents and Ratepayers Association is implementing a project with Diakonia under the
theme enhancing citizen participation. The project is guided by the three main themes

-To enhance the capacity of residents so that they are able to champion service delivery issues and
also enhance their participation in the governance issues.

-To support sustainable programs at ward level that help improve service delivery.

-To enhance engagement between duty bearers and rights holders for improved service delivery.

As such meetings, forums and workshops are the main activities that the organisation is involved
with to fulfil the stated objectives. Different meetings with different people for different purposes
have helped much in attaining the intended goals.

These activities are grouped to meet and attain intended.

Outcome 1: Residents engaging in coordinated collective action for improved service delivery.

 Stakeholders Meetings
 Road shows
 Ward based Meetings
 Advocacy Campaigns

Outcome 2: Citizens are able to influence decision making at local level including influencing the
development of ward plans and budget.

 Sensitisation meeting
 Training of trainers on Conflict Management and Transformation.
 Inclusive Budgeting
 Ideas Laboratory.

Outcome 3: Increased Engagement Between duty bearers and rights holders.

 Citizen Accountability
 Policy Dialogue with councillors and council management.
 Residents and Duty Bearers
 Youth and Women Roundtable

NETWORKING AND PARTNERING

 DIAKONIA
 CITY OF GWERU
 ZESA
 ZINWA
 ZRP
 WOMAN COALITION OF ZIMBABWE
 MEDIA
 ZIMBABWE WOMEN LAWYERS ASSOCIATION
 MUSASA
 CIVIO INSTITUTE
  VISET
 YOUNG VOICES
 TELLZIM
 GURPURANDA
 GRF
 NANGO
 THE SUN


CHAPTER TWO: WORK RELATED ACTIVITIES.

During My intern ship l was involved in a number of activities.

STAKEHOLDRS MEETINGS

These are coordinated meetings for idea sharing, experience exchange from across the abroad
spectrum of players in civic activities and service delivery matters for enhanced service delivery and
improved residents access to social amenities.

ROAD SHOWS (i.e save water campaign, waste management and safe cities campaign)

Social behaviour change through edutainment, fliers, poems, drama, dance and competitions will be
the means through which issues of waste management, save water campaigns and safe cities will be
conveyed to the broader and wider community base. Clean water, clean environment and safe cities
are preconditions for safe cities and healthy citizenry. However, due to Covid 19 the World Health
Organisation together with Government of Zimbabwe prohibited gatherings and stipulated a specific
number the organisation decided to have mobile road shows.

WARD BASED MEETING.

These are local level service delivery meetings with public representatives and are convened at ward
level. They bring in GRRA ward structures, ward committees and any player that has interests in
service delivery and community development .These where held in all 19 wards of Gweru.

ADVOCACY CAMPAIGN MEETINGS.

Provision of service delivery in Gweru has been very poor over the years and these advocacy
campaign meeting will be there to help people advocate for improved service delivery in Gweru.

SENSITISATION MEETINGS

Due to high attrition levels and a renewed sense of working for a common objective within GRRA the
organisation will embark on robust mobilisation and orientation of membership.

TRAINING OF TRAINERS ON CONFLICT MANAGEMENT AND TRANSFORMATION

Inorder to foster an environment where people can harmoniously work together despite differences
GRRA ward structures ,councillors ,civic groups, council management, government will undergo
training so that there is functionality on plans towards the desired change.

INCLUSIVE BUDGETING:

In order to ensure that local level plans are incorporated into the overall budget there is need for
rigorous lobbying and advocacy by residents on key issues identified.However skills in analysing
,drafting and identification of key themes is critical to ensure the process succeds .This activity linked
to the budget making process.

IDEAS LABORATORY

GRRA ward structures and likeminded organisations with the support of the GRRA secretariat will
conduct a ideas laboratory meetings where in there is the unpacking of the actions ,priorities and
strategies in the development of the wards with the local councillors will be unpacked.

CITIZEN ACCOUNTABILITY

Citizens should be free and open to hold the councillors, council and their different committees and
other service delivery issues. This process promotes good governance and a culture of accountability
in public administration hence promoting efficiency.

POLICY DIALOGUE WITH COUNCILLORS AND COUNCIL MANAGEMENT.

Councillors and council management were trained on how they can improve on their engagement
with residents and also how to improve on policy implementation, be able to track compliance with
policies and guidelines on service delivery.

RESIDENTS \RIGHTS HOLDERS AND DUTY BEARERS INTERFACE MEETING

To determine functions of duty bearers (councillors and council officials) in urban service delivery
across different socio economic groups in line with the rights of residents and optimum service
standards. This activity strengthens accountability mechanisms within the service delivery paradigm
with the rights holders who are residents and duty bearers who are councillors.

YOUTH AND WOMEN ROUNDTABLE

Women and youths are at the intersection of social challenges and as such a forum for women and
youth presents a unique opportunity for presentation of the unique challenges and demands to duty
bearers .Discrimination in most instances affects women and youths most and as such gender issues
need to be considered as the basis of lifting women and youth from continued suffering on service
delivery.

THE IMPACT OF THE ACTIVITIES I WAS INVOLVED IN.

The impact of the activities l was involved in during my period in the organisation was overwhelming
.The organisation managed to reach all the 19 wards in Gweru Urban advocating for improved
service delivery. The organisation embarked on a membership drive which yielded results, from the
whole members of GRRA in all wards a one hundred subscribed which is a great development to the
organisation.

Policy dialogue meeting which was held with councillors and council management had a positive
impact to the organisation .The organisation was further asked help councillors on how to make
policy .It was observed that in council there were policies hence corruption is rampant while
everyone in gets what they want and go free because there are no binding rules. Hence the meeting
managed to unravel the importance of drawing up policies that would protect resources from abuse
from those in power.
I also attended a sensitisation meeting where residents where residents are informed on the
importance of joining a residents association. The meeting clarifies the idea that Residents
Association are meant to spearhead development in communities since politics is not bringing the
required change. The impact of this meeting is seen by the number of people who subscribed and
registered as GRRA members. I collected subscriptions and wrote receipt hence improving
transparency and accountability.

The student also attended stakeholders meeting which involved stakeholders like WCOZ,NANGO
,THE TIMES ,HELPLINE ,MUSASA,. The main objective was to share ideas on how service delivery
could be improved .The exchange of information during this session managed to bring on board a
number of issues from different perspectives. The organisation managed to capture issues on how
poor service delivery affects women, children, youth and disabled.

The organisation also managed to have a mobile road show consientising the citizenry on their
safety during this Covid era which bred high crime rate, domestic violence and theft. I managed to
be on the mic shouting the WHO Covid 19 regulations and alerting residents on closing doors and
locking up tightly at night to avoid theft. I also emphasised on reporting of domestic violence cases
to the police .Also l shared the messages from the government on curfew changes and regulations
for a safe city as the road show was labelled.

Ward based meetings have been held in all the 19m wards and l have been taking note of issues
raised in different wards, while others needed to be advocated for quickly than others .In these ward
based meeting ,other than getting advocacy issues the organisation got to have more members
hence a positive chance.

I attended a Advocacy campaign meeting in Northlea ward 1 and ward 19 Vungu and ward 8. The
impact was to larger extent positive in these wards. In ward 1 the organisation managed to speed up
the police post and now the community have the security it wished for. In ward 19 under Vungu the
organisation managed to advocate for the removal of the dumpsite in Woodlands and immediately
the process started engaging all the relevant offices. In this whole process l took down notes on the
issues and proof read the petition l submitted it to the Gweru Mayor.

The student also attended the training of trainers on Conflict Management and Transformation
which was organised to cater for squabbles between councillors and council management which was
portrayed mostly by the media. As such the meeting yield a positive impact and councillors blamed
media of just writing news without much information and evidence.

Inclusive budgeting campaigns were also held and the student attended the meeting .The main
thrust was to educate residents on the budget formulation processes in order to ensure active
participation and ownership of resources by residents in Gweru. The impact is to a larger extent
positive as evidenced by the turn out of residents during the budget consultation.

In execution of my duties in meeting for example event handling l always attended everyone and
made sure
sometimes also understood to mean the storage of such information.

EFFECTIVENESS

By far, most research on internships focuses on student learning as the major outcome. Internships

may also help students acquire job relevant skills (Garavan & Murphy, 2001) such as writing skills

(Freedman & Adam, 1996; Winsor, 1990), and help students put abstract concepts into context
(Bowers& Nelson, 1991). A study of service learning, an-other situation which puts students into
real-world settings, found that problem solving, critical thinking, and rhetorical skills are improved in
nonacademic settings (Matthews & Zimmerman, 1999).Finally, internship experiences can overcome
presumed shortcomings such as the lack of specific preparation, sometimes called “deficit reduction
theory” (Herr & Cramer, 1988). Beyond skills training, internships also help socialize and acculturate
(Tovey, 2001). They improve career decision making and perceptions of self-efficacy
(Brooks,Cornelius, Greenfield, & Joseph, 1995; Taylor, 1988).Students who have completed an
internship display greater ambition (Pedro, 1984). In the same vein, other research indicated that
internships reduce reality shock for students (Pa

EXPERIENCES AND LESSONS LEANT.

The contribution of team work to the organisational goals.

Team work improves internal communication .It enhances communication between team members
hence having a profound effect on the teams overall performance.

I managed to learn that team work enhances efficiency and cooperation. In an organisation through
team work goals are maintained.

EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION WITH THE SUPERIORS

The organisation used the horizontal communication channel and it’s a peaceful channel to use and
very effective for communication. There was clear clarity in ideas, an appropriate language was used
always as much as l gave attention to my superiors they also did the same. The organisation always
had feedbacks and review meetings hence a complete information for the day to day running of
business.

TRANSFORMATION OF ASSIGNMENTS TO REAL LIFE.

DESICION MAKING.
Decision making refers to making choices among alternative course of action. It is an important
component of an organisation .Collective decision making has kept the organisation, though after
deliberations the director gives the final decision.

RECORD KEEPING.

While a company’s records management is not a profit centre, handling records incorrectly can lead
to financial penalties or litigation. Keeping good records helps companies protect institutional
memory as well as maintain evidence of activities, transactions, and decisions. An effective records
management system can save money on storage and improve an organization’s efficiency.
Implement a solid records management plan before it’s too late.

CHAPTER THREE:

THE KNOWEDGE AND SKILLS ACQUIRED FROM WRL CITING STEP BY STEP EVIDENCE OF HOW SUCH
SKILLS WERE GAINED.

Upon being accepted as an intern with Gweru Residents and Ratepayers Association I was ignorant
to a lot of things technically and professionally. I had a lot to learn and gain from the GRRA since l
had never worked with people let alone a resident association considering how civic society is
perceived in Zimbabwe. However I managed to cope, relax and recollect myself for a new
experience.

Technically, l gained more on clerical duties such as typing, photocopying, filing and operation the
printer. These skills cannot be gained over night but need consistence in doing them. As such
working with GRRA has improved my printing skill to a bit faster than before. Like, l did not know
that filing needs to be perfected in any way but with time l got to understand that when filing
whatever documents it could maintain its neatness throughout the filing process, l leant using a
paper punch in order to maintain a file neatness. Using tools like a paper punch, stapler and staple
pin remover constantly strengthened my filing skills.

Working with GRRA strengthened the spirit of teamwork in me .I managed to shift from the college
tendencies of individualism where l could do all the work and the grades were shared among the
rest. Here, it is more professional and each one in a team needs to work together to finish the task. I
leant to work as a team without focusing entirely on myself. l developed patience in situations
where l disagree with another member of the team. As an intern I was introduced to real-life work
problems and hence developed my problem-solving skills.

WORK ETHICS
Work ethic is a belief that hard work and diligence have a moral benefit and an inherent ability,
virtue or value to strengthen character and individual abilities. It is a set of values centred on
importance of work and manifested by determination or desire to work hard. Social engrailment of
this value is considered to enhance character through hard work that is respective to an individual's
field of work. You won’t really learn about work ethics until you are in a tangible work environment.
In college education, we are used to making excuses for late submissions, short attendance and what
not! But it is only when we are introduced to the actual environment that we learn work ethics.
Employees with a strong work ethic exhibit a particular set of values and behaviours. These
characteristics are, reliability, dedication, discipline, productivity, responsibility and cooperation.

Reliability

As an intern with a strong work ethic I managed to be very reliable. I have been always on time
hence strengthening chronemic side of me everyday especially when l was given the company key. I
also managed to improve on working under pressure to meet deadlines and offer quality work
especially when compiling a quarterly report and grant reconciliations.

Dedication

Part of a good work ethic is commitment and dedication to the job. I also managed to focus on tasks
without being distracted. I would usually work until l finish any assigned duties.

Productivity

A strong work ethic translates to outstanding productivity. Productive employees often have a
higher output than their counterparts. They complete projects early and do more than the minimum
requirements.

Cooperation

A good work ethic is something that employees often spread to those around them by cooperating
willingly on projects. They show good teamwork and readily assist others when needed.

4. Adaptability Skills

Not everyone is adaptable from the beginning. In fact, it’s never easy getting used to new people
and environment, hence it takes a lot of effort to adapt. Being adaptive to your surroundings easily is
one of the most useful soft skills not only desirable to employers but also important to myself-
growth.

5. Communication Skills

It’s one of the top listed skills that recruiters look for in a resume and something that can get you
from bottom to top. Communicating well is a gem of a skill which you can learn during your
internship experiences.

6. Responsibility
Often missed out in the list of soft skills, being responsible is an integral skill required in the job
arena. Your internship experience makes you more responsible and accountable for what decisions
you make and how you execute what’s been allocated to you.

3.0 TIME MANAGEMENT

Time management was an important part of my attachment so as to meet targets set and deadlines
for given assignments. This was one of the most vital skills gained.

3.1 GOOD COMMUNICATION SKILLS

Communicating with my supervisors, workmates and clients improved my communication skills

(both verbal and non-verbal) and boosted my confidence. My writing skills were also effectively
improved through the writing of monthly reports

3.2 ANALYTICAL SKILLS

In the course of carrying out daily activities, there was need to weigh the importance, priority and
urgency of each duty in the event of more than one task to be done. Treatment of crucial matters
had to be observed to avoid complications.

3.3 PROFESSIONALISM

Formal language was used when addressing both workmates and clients. The student also dressed
modestly and in formal clothes.

3.4 LISTENING SKILLS

Some clients became emotional dealing with sensitive issues and would raise their voices but the
student managed to patiently listen to them and respond calmly. The student also listened
attentively to lectures given by supervisors.

3.5 TEAM WORK AND TEAM SPIRIT

The student realized the importance of team work as he was able to liaise well with the employees
in the organization and the spirit of belonging, unity and working together as a team helped me
attain academic and organizational goals.

3.6 RESPECT

The organization was composed of people with various age groups thus there was need for the
student to realign herself to the professional world and respect seniors and those below me so as to
work towards achieving the same goal.

DISCIPLINE

The student developed self-discipline, and was always punctual and if need be would ask for
permission to go out and not just leave the work premises.

3.8 MEETING DEADLINES

The student also learnt to meet deadlines as lot of work sometimes would require the meeting of
challenging deadlines.

CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Summary and Conclusions.

CONCLUSION

The Industrial attachment was a great working experience for the student as the student managed
to acquire good practical side of the theory that was learnt at school. The student also gained
valuable experience which is a stepping stone into the professional world.

4.2 RECOMMENDATION.

RECOMMANDATIONS TO THE ORGANISATION

Establishment of rooms specifically for the health department meetings as it is time consuming to
book a venue and it delays the time of the meetings.

Purchasing of furniture in the office is needed this is because the clients complain about the chairs
that have no back rest as well as the old furniture that is in the office.

Employment of more staff to carry out office duties .This is because there is less staff to carry out the
office and field duties at the same time, this only strains the offices that are there currently as there
is too much work load.

There is need to improve the communication skills that is for instance printing out pamphlets and
booklets which clearly outline the importance of routine inspections to people. There is need to
communicate regularly with employees and seek their input on issues that affect them especially
environmental issues. Organization must adopt current information technologies and must create a
website to communicate with various interested partners.

Continuously having extensive health education especially in high density suburbs.

People should be educated on the reusing of reusable materials to reduce waste generated.

To have an occupational health and safety policy for the organisation or different departments of the
organisation.

The waste collectors should adjust their waste collecting time schedule as in some areas like SENGA
they collect as early as 5am, no or less people will be up by that time.

Purchasing of office resources like desktops, printers, cartridges and more bond paper for the
efficiency of the office work. GCC should provide all offices with computers and good internet
services so that they use emails avoid putting things like agendas on paper.

There should be toilet facilities for the elderly and disabled which are clearly labelled and have
bigger doors for wheel chair access and railings for support.

There should be customer’s suggestion box which should be placed conveniently near or around the
entrance of the toilets.
There should be regular cleaning and maintenance of toilet premises for example replacement of
broken doors andleaks.

4.2.1 RECOMMENDATIONS TO CUT

The University should organise more field trips to different organisations so that the students gets to
explore and have knowledge which helps in knowing the organisation to work with

The University should also work hand in hand with the organisation in trying to make the student
work with other companies linked to the organisation for the benefit of the student.

The university should also teach students environmental health as took time to understand what it
really was during the attachment.

RECOMMENDATIONS TO OTHER STUDENTS