b'Conclusion Numerous lessons have been learned, with challenges faced and overcome. Having the There is now access to clean and safe water forcommunity involved and local knowledge, was the villagers of Rebuk Satu, Rembitan, Lombok,vital in creating a sustainable project. Encouraging all year round. Both young and old are becomingwomen to participate, to raise their voices, to take increasingly aware of the relationship betweenon leadership roles and to embrace training - was clean water, hygiene and the prevention ofan important part of the empowerment process, diseases. The village is cleaner due to betterwhich takes time and patience, and is dependent and more responsible waste management, andon inclusion, something often hampered by a many new skills have been acquired. Women arewomans household chores. Champions from the eager to take on leadership roles in committees,village helped to introduce and influence new ideas. and with a tangible change in mind set,Furthermore, partnerships with local stakeholders attitudes are beginning to change in relation toencouraged and supported overall success. womens roles in the village. Prior to the project,Soroptimists showed perseverance, particularly many of the villagers believed that povertywhen water proved insufficient, when drills broke and lack of basic needs was their fate, and thatdown, or when contractors failed to deliver. New changing this situation would be impossible.plans were made and together with the villagers and Now, they have a vision for their village and theirstakeholders, solutions were always found. Monitoring future. Rebuk Satu villagers have participated sofacilities to ensure they met standards, and were built enthusiastically throughout, seeing themselvesin time, was key, whilst further challenges were faced as a model village for others in their region.such as varying levels of workmanship, the quality of building materials, and a hesitance by some families unwilling to share their land for community facilities (toilets/bathrooms).Isla Winarto, SI Club Jakarta, Project Director: This project has been a pleasure to manage. Using approaches which the villagers are comfortable with, SI Jakarta Club has been able to implement both phases of the Project (water and WASH construction; and capacity building/income generation training programmes), with the full support of the villagers. The enthusiasm shown has been most heart-warming, as has the welcome given to the Soroptimist project team. The progress made at each phase of the project has also been most satisfactory, observing women who had never had much say in what happens in their lives, to women, young and old, now managing Village Work Committees, learning how to read and write, and weaving exquisite pieces of cloth suitable even for overseas markets. With many projects and programmes at village level, there needs to be flexibility and a Plan B, all executed with a sense of humour. Smiles go further than frowns! Not everything will go according to the project proposal. However, this should not act as a deterrent as there are always other ways and means to achieve the same results.soroptimistinternational.org 20'