This guide looks at an exciting example of community mobilisation that is based on using outside facilitators and workshops. However, outside facilitators and money to run workshops may not always be available. This PILLARS guide takes the basis of the mobilisation process and shares it in a way that will help a well-organised and motivated group to use the process without outside help. It would be helpful to churches keen to support their communities or to any small groups or NGO seeking to bring changes that benefit local people.
This example of mobilisation has been carried out in Ruaha Diocese, Tanzania and in Narok and Transmara Dioceses, Kenya with the Anglican Church; with Mara and Ukerewe Diocese in Tanzania with Africa Inland Church and with Soroti District in Uganda with the Pentecostal Assemblies of God. Many thanks are given to the leaders of Kitembere, Ragata, Kabasa and Utegi villages in Tanzania and Ulkeli, Nkareta, Olendeem, Kotolian and Olokuseroi villages in Kenya. Thanks also to Isaac Masesa, Mary Masele and Bishop Kitula of Mara Ukerewe Diocese, and to Phanuel Mung’ong’o, Christine Kilipamwambu and Bishop Mtetemela in Ruaha Diocese. Special thanks to Francis Njoroge for sharing his knowledge and experience to enable others to learn and benefit.
For church groups, the Bible studies at the back of the guide should be used as an essential and ongoing part of the process. They are best used in small groups, with time for everyone to discuss.
It is recommended that all the exercises in this guide should first be discussed and tried out with group members and motivators before they are used with the wider community. The opportunity for each person to discuss, share information and build their confidence – through action followed by reflection – is essential and should be encouraged throughout the process.
Objectives
- To help church and community leaders understand their capacity to encourage positive change in their local area.
- To help local people understand their own unique situation.
- To raise awareness in local people and leaders of the value of organising the community to take positive action.
- To encourage local people to gain confidence in their own abilities to work towards making changes.
Anticipated outcomes
- Local leaders have increased awareness of their capacity to make changes in their community and the value of organising local people to take positive action.
- Local people have increased knowledge and understanding of their own unique situation.
- Local people have greater confidence in their own ability to make appropriate changes.
- Effective and ongoing community organisation and action.
- Improved local facilities in education, health, water or sanitation which have a big impact on local communities.
- Better-educated and confident local people able to take self-help measures.
- Local organisations working together effectively at all levels.