guidelines for community development
Post on 14-Apr-2017
247 Views
Preview:
TRANSCRIPT
How the church can foster a vibrant community in
Sesheke & other parts of Zambia’s Western Province
David Mutemwa
An empirical investigation showed that the church failed
to transform the Sesheke community
Refer to the “Sesheke church's transformational task” slides to learn more…
Specific guidelines for community transformation in
Sesheke
1
Understand community transformation
The following aspects apply:
Ensure full community participation throughout
“Before action can take place, it must be approved or legitimated by those holding such power in the community”
Understand community transformation #1
Emphasise change from within
• A key feature of community transformation is action at grassroots
• Change in the developing communities must predominantly come from within
Understand community transformation #2
Identify concrete community felt needs
• Identification of the concrete felt needs is a pre-requisite for action
• Local people must be involved in identifying their own needs
Understand community transformation #3
Employ a holistic & integrated approach
Address all aspects of human life and environment…
Understand community transformation #4
Employ a holistic & integrated approach
Address all aspects of human life and environment…
Spiritual, social, political, cultural, economical & environmental aspects should all be considered
Understand community transformation #4
Empower local people
Empowerment should emphasise
• community knowledge & resources,
Understand community transformation #5
Empower local people
Empowerment should emphasise
• community knowledge & resources,
• self reliance,
Understand community transformation #5
Empower local people
Empowerment should emphasise
• community knowledge & resources,
• self reliance,
• self initiative, and
Understand community transformation #5
Empower local people
Empowerment should emphasise
• community knowledge & resources,
• self reliance,
• self initiative, and
• decision making.
Understand community transformation #5
Empower local people
Empowerment should emphasise
• community knowledge & resources,
• self reliance,
• self initiative, and
• decision making.
All people possess strengths upon which they can build.
Understand community transformation #5
Ensure sustainability of transformational projects
• Seek medium to long term viability & permanence of changes
Understand community transformation #6
Ensure sustainability of transformational projects
• Seek medium to long term viability & permanence of changes
• Use of natural resources must not reduce resources available for future generations.
Understand community transformation #6
Ensure sustainability of transformational projects
• Seek medium to long term viability & permanence of changes
• Use of natural resources must not reduce resources available for future generations
• Efficient use of available resources is a precondition
Understand community transformation #6
Effective planning and implementation
Ensure that all stakeholders are involved:
• The people directly affected by the plan and
• those who will implement it should participate
Understand community transformation #7
Effective planning & implementation: checklist
• Does the plan address the real issues?
Understand community transformation #7
Effective planning & implementation: checklist
• Does the plan address the real issues?
• Have tasks been identified and written down?
Understand community transformation #7
Effective planning & implementation: checklist
• Does the plan address the real issues?
• Have tasks been identified and written down?
• Is there somebody responsible for each task?
Understand community transformation #7
Effective planning & implementation: checklist
• Does the plan address the real issues?
• Have tasks been identified and written down?
• Is there somebody responsible for each task?
• Do the people understand the finer details of the plan?
Understand community transformation #7
Effective planning & implementation: checklist
• Does the plan address the real issues?
• Have tasks been identified and written down?
• Is there somebody responsible for each task?
• Do the people understand the finer details of the plan?
• Is the implementation done step by step?
Understand community transformation #7
Effective planning & implementation: checklist
• Does the plan address the real issues?
• Have tasks been identified and written down?
• Is there somebody responsible for each task?
• Do the people understand the finer details of the plan?
• Is the implementation done step by step?
• Have previous tasks been completed before embarking on the next ones?
Understand community transformation #7
Effective planning & implementation: checklist
• Does the plan address the real issues?
• Have tasks been identified and written down?
• Is there somebody responsible for each task?
• Do the people understand the finer details of the plan?
• Is the implementation done step by step?
• Have previous tasks been completed before embarking on the next ones?
• Have all the tasks been completed?
Understand community transformation #7
Community research
• To determine real needs and
• Local resources that are available
Understand community transformation #8
Ethical implications
Test practices against Biblical and universal ethical principles
i. Environmental protection should not be done at the expense of human survival
Understand community transformation #9
Ethical implications
Test practices against Biblical and universal ethical principles
i. Environmental protection should not be done at the expense of human survival
ii. Use of natural resources should not reduce resources available for present and future generations
Understand community transformation #9
Ethical implications
Test practices against Biblical and universal ethical principles
i. Environmental protection should not be done at the expense of human survival
ii. Use of natural resources should not reduce resources available for present and future generations
iii. Adhere to the principle of equal regard as held in Old Testament narratives and ministry of Christ
Understand community transformation #9
2
Identify local barriers to transformation and possible
remedies
The following barriers to transformation and possible remedies apply to Sesheke:
Lack of requisite education
• Lack of skills, knowledge, and training necessary for transformation to take place
• Work at translating population growth into economic growth with the help of education
Identify local barriers to transformation and possible remedies #1
Cultural and language barriers
• Cultural diversity and practices in Sesheke pose reasonable challenge to the transformational task
• Embrace the concept of “ubuntu” (humanness) – a person is a person through other persons
Identify local barriers to transformation and possible remedies #2
Accessibility of communities
• Lack of transport and non-existence of ideal roads to many communities
• External aid and government lobbying for transport and road construction is necessary
Identify local barriers to transformation and possible remedies #3
Natural resource abundance trap
(natural resource curse or Dutch disease)
Overdependence on timber production as a primary economic activity and export product
Identify local barriers to transformation and possible remedies #4
Natural resource abundance trap
(natural resource curse or Dutch disease)
Overdependence on timber production as a primary economic activity and export product
• Consider alternative livelihoods e.g.:
Identify local barriers to transformation and possible remedies #4
Natural resource abundance trap
(natural resource curse or Dutch disease)
Overdependence on timber production as a primary economic activity and export product
• Consider alternative livelihoods e.g.:
i. Agriculture
Identify local barriers to transformation and possible remedies #4
Natural resource abundance trap
(natural resource curse or Dutch disease)
Overdependence on timber production as a primary economic activity and export product
• Consider alternative livelihoods e.g.:
i. Agriculture
ii. Export diversification
Identify local barriers to transformation and possible remedies #4
Natural resource abundance trap
(natural resource curse or Dutch disease)
Overdependence on timber production as a primary economic activity and export product
• Consider alternative livelihoods e.g.:
i. Agriculture
ii. Export diversification
iii. Orientation toward good neighbours, e.g. Namibia & Botswana
Identify local barriers to transformation and possible remedies #4
Being landlocked
• Landlocked by default as part of a landlocked country
Identify local barriers to transformation and possible remedies #5
Being landlocked
• Landlocked by default as part of a landlocked country
• Connected to Namibia & Botswana - good neighbours
Identify local barriers to transformation and possible remedies #5
Being landlocked
• Landlocked by default as part of a landlocked country
• Connected to Namibia & Botswana - good neighbours
• Linked to the sea via the Trans-Caprivi Corridor
Identify local barriers to transformation and possible remedies #5
Being landlocked
• Landlocked by default as part of a landlocked country
• Connected to Namibia & Botswana - good neighbours
• Linked to the sea via the Trans-Caprivi Corridor
• Sesheke’s location can offer opportunities for cross-border trade
Identify local barriers to transformation and possible remedies #5
Bad governance
• Relates to Zambia as a country and to Sesheke by default
Identify local barriers to transformation and possible remedies #6
Bad governance
• Relates to Zambia as a country and to Sesheke by default
• Bad governance can cause poor economic growth & performance
Identify local barriers to transformation and possible remedies #6
Bad governance
• Relates to Zambia as a country and to Sesheke by default
• Bad governance can cause poor economic growth & performance
• Physical command of natural resources by government or hereditary elite may not welcome checks and balances necessary for economic growth
Identify local barriers to transformation and possible remedies #6
Bad governance
• Relates to Zambia as a country and to Sesheke by default
• Bad governance can cause poor economic growth & performance
• Physical command of natural resources by government or hereditary elite may not welcome checks and balances necessary for economic growth
• Church should advocate for checks and balances
Identify local barriers to transformation and possible remedies #6
3
Identify areas of influence
The following are the areas of influence for community transformation in Sesheke area
The local church and other faith-based organisations
Churches and other religious organisations have very strong influence on society and should be mobilised for community transformation
Identify areas of influence #1
Culture
Promote cultural diversity and embrace the concept of “Ubuntu” – humanness
Identify areas of influence #2
Politics
Politics can be categorised in three forms:
• Government politics
• Community politics
• Church politics
Identify areas of influence #3
Government politics
• Government projects are either a positive contribution or a negative hindrance
• Critically strategize to harness political influence for community transformation
Identify areas of influence #3
Community politics
• Desperate competition for resources at community level
Identify areas of influence #3
Community politics
• Desperate competition for resources at community level
• Demands for rights to be heard, to have a voice, to be consulted and to become full members of the political community
Identify areas of influence #3
Community politics
• Desperate competition for resources at community level
• Demands for rights to be heard, to have a voice, to be consulted and to become full members of the political community
• Equality should be the guiding principle as taught in the Bible
Identify areas of influence #3
Church politics
• Seeking ways to find recognition, competing for resources, gaining public voice, arguing for rights, and winning converts and friends
Identify areas of influence #3
Church politics
• Seeking ways to find recognition, competing for resources, gaining public voice, arguing for rights, and winning converts and friends
• The church should rather promote equal distribution of wealth, resources, and social justice
Identify areas of influence #3
Church politics
• Seeking ways to find recognition, competing for resources, gaining public voice, arguing for rights, and winning converts and friends
• The church should rather promote equal distribution of wealth, resources, and social justice
• Equality again should be the guiding principle
Identify areas of influence #3
External aid agencies/donors
• They can have either positive or negative influence on the transformational task
• Church should have necessary skills and understanding of working with donors from a broader perspective
Identify areas of influence #4
4
Utilise local resources
Strengths, resources, and potentials present in community
Community audit
• Focused on detailed inventory of community assets
Utilise local resources #1
Community audit
• Focused on detailed inventory of community assets
• All community assets in terms of values, strengths, opportunities, gifts, skills, capacities, etc. should be mobilised
Utilise local resources #1
Community audit
• Focused on detailed inventory of community assets
• All community assets in terms of values, strengths, opportunities, gifts, skills, capacities, etc. should be mobilised
• This basic and Biblical truth about the giftedness of every individual and community is important for transformation
Utilise local resources #1
Local capacity building
• This is central to the quest for sustainable development
Utilise local resources #2
Farming
• Participants identified farming as an asset and alternative livelihood in Sesheke
Utilise local resources #3
Farming
• Participants identified farming as an asset and alternative livelihood in Sesheke
• Most economies in Africa invest in agriculture
Utilise local resources #3
Farming
• Participants identified farming as an asset and alternative livelihood in Sesheke
• Most economies in Africa invest in agriculture
• Agricultural concerns are central to rural development activities
Utilise local resources #3
The local church
The local church is a major stakeholder in community transformation
Utilise local resources #4
The working of the Holy Spirit in transformation
• The Holy Spirit empowers Christians to be selfless and care for those in need and
• give them wisdom and guidance
Utilise local resources #4
Place for aid
i. Providing education across all sectors of community
Utilise local resources #5
Place for aid
i. Providing education across all sectors of community
ii. Improving access to health services for all communities
Utilise local resources #5
Place for aid
i. Providing education across all sectors of community
ii. Improving access to health services for all communities
iii. Transport and communication
Utilise local resources #5
Conclusion perspectives
• Community transformation is about meeting the affected people’s concrete felt needs
Conclusion perspectives
• Community transformation is about meeting the affected people’s concrete felt needs
• Local people should fully participate in the transformation process
Conclusion perspectives
• Community transformation is about meeting the affected people’s concrete felt needs
• Local people should fully participate in the transformation process
• Change must come predominantly from within
Conclusion perspectives
• Community transformation is about meeting the affected people’s concrete felt needs
• Local people should fully participate in the transformation process
• Change must come predominantly from within
• The most effective tools we can wield on behalf of the poor and needy is Biblical truth and the working of the Holy Spirit
Join a league of spiritual leaders, who work vigorously at
advancing the Kingdom of God.
www.ats.ac.za
top related