Asset Based Community-led Development (ABCD)€¦ · 2 3. Defining Asset Based Community-led...
Transcript of Asset Based Community-led Development (ABCD)€¦ · 2 3. Defining Asset Based Community-led...
Asset Based Community-led Development (ABCD)
2 Day Workshop Report for Ikhala Trust
2-3 July 2014, 10h00 – 15h30
Community organisations - Somila’s network in Alice
Facilitators: Carla Collins (Calabash Trust) and Nosimilo Filita (Ikhala Trust)
“Start with what we have, build with what we know”
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DAY 1
1. Welcome, Introductions and Purpose
The welcoming was done by both facilitators and everybody
introduced themselves and their organisations. As an ice-
breaker a ‘name game’ was played to become familiarised
with each other. The group consisted of representatives from
12 community organisations in and around Alice, forming
part of a network initiated by Somila. Altogether 24 people
participated on the 1st day, and 26 people on the 2nd day. The
workshop was made possible by funding from the Mott Foundation through Ikhala Trust. The purpose of the workshop
was to introduce participants to ABCD as a paradigm and practice, as requested by Somila.
2. Find a partner (Appreciative enquiry)
We then asked the group to find a partner and share what
they are most proud of in their communities, with a second
round sharing who inspires them. This set a positive tone for
the start of the workshop as stories emerged of community
members coming together to help each other during difficult
times, of organizations starting a garden together to share
produce, and of organisations initiated by community
members.
Programme Wednesday 2nd: Welcome and Introductions ABCD OVERVIEW ABCD AS A PARADIGM
Find your partner Community A&B Defining ABCD Types of poverty Types of Assets Root causes of poverty Programme review Ladder of inference Development Industry Close Thursday 3rd: ABCD AS A PRACTICE Check in Levels of engagement
Mapping individual assets (hand, head, heart) Mapping social assets
Mapping physical and natural assets Leaky Bucket Action planning / Way forward Check-out
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3. Defining Asset Based Community-led Development (ABCD)
We introduced ABCD by defining each term, and explained that ABCD is a way of thinking or seeing, and also an
approach to development work. It was also clarified that the asset based approach is different from the needs based
approach, and we therefore start with what we have and build with what we know.
4. Types of Assets
To further the understanding around assets, the group was asked to highlight examples of assets, which were grouped
into 5 types of assets, some examples mentioned by the group included:
Physical assets: car, house, tv, clothes
Natural assets: cattle, goats, sheep, land, forests, rivers, sky, sun
Social assets: togetherness, love, organisations, societies, sharing
Human assets: gardening, sewing, catering, knitting, crocheting, cooking, baking, beadwork, cleaning, caring work
Financial assets: cash, savings
It was explained that financial assets are merely a converter that is used to obtain the other assets, but have no
meaning on its own as you cannot eat or wear money! The idea of viewing things through a positive lense was
demonstrated by a glass filled halfway with water, and asked whether they see the glass as half empty or half full. In this
group most saw the glass as half full! In ABCD we look at the glass half full, in other words what we have to work with
instead of what we don’t have.
5. Community A&B
To further emphasize the lense through which we view the world (positive vs negative), the group was split in two, each
with different descriptions of a community - one where there seems as if many things are lacking, and the other having
many assets. The group was asked to imagine that they lived there and to explain how it made them feel.
Community A felt bad and unhappy; they wondered where they could get assistance to be like community B; they
suffered from an inferiority complex as well as arrogance because of insecurity (therefore too proud to ask help from
community B); and they felt they had no life and knowledge causing crime and theft.
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Community B felt happy and excited because there are a lot of skills to share; they have graduates (educated),
togetherness, love, ubuntu and open-mindedness; they felt they had purpose (i.e. they know what to do when they
wake up in the morning).
The group was then told that it is actually the same community, just viewed through different ‘lenses’ - positive and
negative. It was a reminder that we choose to see the glass half full or half empty, viewing our lives and communities
through a positive lense.
6. Types of poverty
The group was asked to define poverty, as it is something that all development workers fight against. As they started
naming things, three types of poverties were introduced:
Poverty of mind
Poverty of spirit
Poverty of stomach
These types of poverties are experienced by anyone, regardless of race, class or gender. For many in the group it was an
eye opener as they only think of ‘poverty of stomach’ when they think of ‘poor’.
7. Root causes of poverty
To further the discussion, they were divided in small groups to unpack the root causes of poverty. A summary of the
feedback include:
Lack of experience, education, knowledge and skills
Nepotism
Depression, no motivation, lack of interest, dependency
People not working, unemployment
Ignorance, pride and superiority – not communicating with each other
Lack of trust and respect
Lack of willingness to help, jealousy
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Analysing the feedback on the root causes of poverty, it was noticed that most of the reasons relate to the poverty of
mind and spirit, which means that even though people created systems that causes poverty, it is up to each person to
choose to uplift themselves and others on a daily basis. Many agreed that with a strong mind and spirit, poverty of
stomach can be overcome.
8. Ladder of inference
To illustrate this tool, the story of Nokwanda was used, where Nokwanda goes for a job interview as an administrator:
she sounded very distracted on the phone when the appointment was made, arrived late with dirty fingernails and
smelt of tobacco smoke. The group was asked whether they would employ Nokwanda if they were the employer.
Some said yes they would employ her with rules (e.g. she must stop smoking), some would give her a chance to explain
herself before making a decision, one person suggested that perhaps she was collecting bottles in a tavern to sell in
order to feed her children. Another person said maybe she went to a place to get taxi fares and ended up between a
fight and people smoking.
Others were adamant that they would not employ her because she
was late and had to prepare. She should’ve known the situation and
be better prepared. Some assumed she was an alcoholic and would
destroy the organisation.
The group was then asked if they would change their minds if they
were to be told that Nokwanda is a foster mother with four children
and sat next to a smoker in the taxi who bruised her arm when she confronted him.
The group was made aware of how we ‘jump up our ladders’ and make inferences based on minimal information. This is
also true when engaging in development work. Initiatives are often started based on limited information around
problems and needs, where assumptions are easily made and assets not taken into account. When doing planning
around ideas, it is therefore important to get all the information (not only a one-sided needs assessment), so no skewed
assumptions are acted upon.
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9. Development Industry
The ‘Development Industry’ was described with regards to the different role players in the industry. Many in the group
thought that government and business are they key role players, and were not aware of the influence international
organisations and multi-national companies have in the development industry.
Most in the group were also unaware of gatekeepers and gappers in between these levels, either keeping information
and resources to themselves, or sharing.
The group agreed that revolution tends to come from ‘the bottom’ (communities) as ‘those who feel it know it’ and are
more likely to be driven to change their lives for the better. People at other levels are more comfortable and don’t
necessarily feel the same urgency. The group also agreed that bulk of the resources are at the ‘top’, and in spite of good
intentions has encouraged dependency and inequality with most resources going to ‘experts’ meeting needs. The
question comes: ‘in whose best interests’ in the development field if the bulk of resources and influences are not with
the communities it claims to serve.
DAY 2
10. Check-in
After the first day the facilitators were unsure whether ABCD as a paradigm was fully understood and appreciated, so
decided to allow a longer check in and ask the group how they felt after Day 1, what stood out for them. Some
responses were as follows:
One lady said it was the first time she felt good in a long time.
Some felt they were merely running projects without enough knowledge (not being informed enough).
One person motivated the group to commit themselves, trust in themselves and know that they are worthy.
Many enjoyed the energiser exercises!
Some liked Nokwanda’s story (not to judge).
Many were touched by the roots causes of poverty and appreciative enquiry, feeling it was really taking them to a
better place. Many never realised there were different kinds of poverty and assets, and felt it would assist them in
their organisations.
Many felt excited and motivated.
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Some wished their whole organisation was present to share the experience and were also worried because others in
their organisation usually expect them to go back with money after attending a workshop.
Some realised they should not feel inferior because they are not formally educated and to have an “I can” attitude
One woman was losing hope and thinking of stopping what she was doing, but after the 1st day she felt motivated to
continue.
Some have always blamed government, not realising they can start with what they have.
One woman thanked the facilitators for all the clarity, translation and understanding that they are not all on the
same level.
11. Levels of engagement
Before moving into ABCD as a practice, another consciousness building tool was introduced to demonstrate the
difference between reactive and responsive development. When we are conscious, we are able to respond better and
make informed decisions rather than react on forces from the outside. Different levels of engagement was introduced,
from the most empowering to the least empowering, which communities can use to clarify roles, partnerships and
intentions between different stakeholders during a development process.
12. Mapping individual assets
We then moved straight into mapping the 5 different assets mentioned in
Day 1, starting with human (individual) assets. The group was asked to give
examples of something they can do with their hands, things they know and
can do with their heads (mind), and emotional qualities they have with
their hearts. This tool helps with appreciating oneself. The group
recognised the impact they could have in their communities when
combining their skills and work together.
13. Mapping social assets
Social assets were then mapped, which was easy for them to do as they all
belong to organizations in their communities. They could link with other
organizations they are working with and identify those that they are not
working closely with, with whom they could possibly explore beneficial linkeages. See examples on the next page.
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14. Mapping physical and natural assets
As with the social assets, physical and natural assets were also mapped. There was little time for feedback, but it was
clarified whether the group understood what the tool is all about.
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15. Leaky bucket
Mapping the financial assets through the leaky bucket was, as usual, an eye
opener for the group. The tool was demonstrated after which everyone did a leaky
bucket for their own households. The idea of a local economy was explained and
also finding ways to plug the leaks. Although the group felt a bit stressed after
looking at their own leaky buckets, they were reminded of the other assets
(human, social, physical and natural) that are also in their buckets that can be
converted to cash if necessary, and encouraged to manage finances carefully. One
person was particularly interested in the idea of a local economy.
16. Way forward
The following questions were asked to think about a way forward:
1. Has anything shifted or changed for you as a result of this course?
2. What are the three most important lessons learnt?
3. How do you intend to use what you have learnt?
4. What are the next baby steps moving forward?
Umzamo Community
We have learnt a lot and we now can see the difference. We want to work together with other people and other
organizations and start a project of collecting plastics and bottles and resell them.
Joji Sakh’ikamva Group
We have learnt a lot and we go back converted by ABCD. We would like to share with our friends and the
community at large about especially the poverties.
Most importantly we have been encouraged to be confident in what we do.
Madiba Youth Project Msobomvu Location
We have learnt a lot about ABCD, start with what you have, types of poverty & assets, togetherness and sharing.
We are going to have a meeting with the community to share what we have learnt.
We will meet with other people, put money together and buy material.
We have learnt working together with other people, to share your knowledge and to ask to those who know if you
don’t.
Now I’m going to start a business
Ikhwezi Poultry Project
We have learnt that you should work hard and money will follow.
How to work together in trying to defeat poverty.
To educate other people starting with family, community, Municipality and abroad.
Soyamile Co-op
Will share what we’ve learnt with the community.
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Lovedale DCC
The way to start a project is to work with the community by sharing your ideas and knowledge to develop your
community.
We are thinking of coming together with other organizations to support each other e.g. gardening projects - to buy
vegetables from them instead of supporting Spar.
We are going to call a parents meeting to share with them that you don’t just need money in order to develop
yourself or community but you can start by using your Human Assets.
Gubura Iling’elethu Food Security
We are going home to our communities with all the excitement with the aim of working with patience knowing that
money will follow. We learnt to be patient, we can fight poverty and survive by making money ourselves.
We will go back to the community and tell them how to develop our projects. We will start by planting vegetables to
boost our Pre-school and supply the community. In our Pre-school we will now start having a Graduation Ceremony.
Vukusondle Food project
We learnt :how to communicate with people, to use our gifts and to be
committed in what you are doing. To use your Human Assets and ask for
help when you need it and to work together with other organizations.
Phumalanga Aged Centre
Enjoyed the three kinds of poverty and Assets
Khanya Nursery
To give report to our members, to form small groups to practice what
we have learnt
To meet with other organizations in order to speak in one voice
Holy Nation CHBC
To share with others and recruit more members
Closing was done by Nosimilo, and we ended with a very energetic song and
dance!
After reflecting on the workshop, the facilitators felt that 2 days was perhaps a bit short. Some parts of the workshop
felt rushed, especially when feedback from the group had to be cut short, and there was no time for multi-media that
could’ve perhaps helped with reinforcing some concepts. Other than that the group was amazing and it was great to
meet the amazing people in and around Alice.
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References
Cunningham, C. Mathie, A. 2009. Mobilising Assets for Community Driven Development: Participant Manual. Coady
International Institute.
Ninnette E. 2013. Asset Based and Citizen Led Development: Ikhala Trust Training Course.