Rituu B. Nanda's Posts - Community life competence2024-03-19T01:22:37ZRituu B. Nandahttps://aidscompetence.ning.com/profile/RituuBNanda94https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12367144656?profile=RESIZE_48X48&width=48&height=48&crop=1%3A1https://aidscompetence.ning.com/profiles/blog/feed?user=1xadqhaxe9ldn&xn_auth=noRole of a father in nurturing strong daughterstag:aidscompetence.ning.com,2024-03-08:2028109:BlogPost:2106822024-03-08T16:22:47.000ZRituu B. Nandahttps://aidscompetence.ning.com/profile/RituuBNanda94
<div class="gmail_default"><span>SALT and CLCP in villages where Avani is working in Kolhapur, Maharashtra is illuminating examples of strong women and girls. The number is low but it's there.</span></div>
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<div class="gmail_default"><span>One such example is family of Anil Patil from Village Nandwal. </span><span>His daughter and niece are both being coached to enter the police services. Notably, his niece, who is married, defies societal norms by wearing…</span></div>
<div class="gmail_default"><span>SALT and CLCP in villages where Avani is working in Kolhapur, Maharashtra is illuminating examples of strong women and girls. The number is low but it's there.</span></div>
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<div class="gmail_default"><span>One such example is family of Anil Patil from Village Nandwal. </span><span>His daughter and niece are both being coached to enter the police services. Notably, his niece, who is married, defies societal norms by wearing jeans, a taboo for girls in the community. When asked why they participate in SALT meetings, his niece observed that her personal growth alone is insufficient; other girls in the village have to come forward for community's progress. Anil's daughter highlighted how SALT has facilitated her ability to connect with peers and form a strong bond with other girls.</span></div>
<div class="gmail_default"><span><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12398658669?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12398658669?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a></span></div>
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<div class="gmail_default">One of the most influential persons in their lives is Anil Patil. He is an example that fathers do not only fulfill material needs. Fathers can be instrumental in improving the lives of girls and women. Both the girls said that he raised them to believe in themselves, to pursue their dream and thus, they helped to create a generation of strong women.<span><span> I asked him what has been the challenge. He said that the family has been a target of criticism and taunts from neighbours, community members and relatives. How did he deal with this? </span></span><p></p>
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<div class="gmail_default"><span><span><span><strong>Empowerment of women starts at home</strong>, and often when father teaches his daughters that they are as capable as anyone else. Father also has to be strong enough to deal with societal backlash as he challenges traditional gender roles and stereotypes. He said that his strategy is d</span></span></span>on't be distracted by criticism. Take it as given that people will criticize you. So, keep your critics near you. Listen to them patiently and prepare yourself to answer through your actions. Pooja one of the team member during this SALT visit shared a couplet by Baba Kabir -<em>Nindak nihare rakhiye, aangan kuti chhaway; Bin pani bin sabun, nirmal kare subhav.</em></div>
<div class="gmail_default"><span>(Give your critics shelter in your courtyard and listen to the criticism without annoyance, because critic is not your enemy, he is helping you to clean the rubbish from your life without soap and water.)<a href="https://www.speakingtree.in/allslides/om-nindak-nihare-rakhiye-aangan-kuti-chhaway/3">https://www.speakingtree.in/allslides/om-nindak-nihare-rakhiye-aangan-kuti-chhaway/3</a></span></div>
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<div class="gmail_default"><span>In conclusion, a supporting father in a girl's childhood can have long-term consequences that last far into adulthood. SALT conversations by Avani smile team in families are contributing to strengthen these relationships</span></div>
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</div>The ripple effect of individual & collective change in a Women's grouptag:aidscompetence.ning.com,2024-03-01:2028109:BlogPost:2103822024-03-01T08:00:00.000ZRituu B. Nandahttps://aidscompetence.ning.com/profile/RituuBNanda94
<div class="gmail_default"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">29th Feb, the sun shining bright as John, Dhiraj, and I join the Avani Smile team for a SALT visit to a 10-member Self-help group. This SHG set up in village Nandwal, India a year ago, includes three mothers-in-law amongst their members. About 3 months ago Jayshree and Koushalya initiated individual SALT conversations with these women.…</span></div>
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<div class="gmail_default"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">29th Feb, the sun shining bright as John, Dhiraj, and I join the Avani Smile team for a SALT visit to a 10-member Self-help group. This SHG set up in village Nandwal, India a year ago, includes three mothers-in-law amongst their members. About 3 months ago Jayshree and Koushalya initiated individual SALT conversations with these women.</span></div>
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<div class="gmail_default"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12391664098?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12391664098?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full" width="592" height="446"/></a></span></div>
<div class="gmail_default"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Referring to the SALT conversations with them, women mentioned that once they realized their inner capacity, they wanted to do something for themselves. This realization prompted them to take individual action like stepping outside their homes for the first time.</span></div>
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<div class="gmail_default"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">As a group, they also noticed that others also were gifted in many ways. They decided to form the <strong>first women WhatsApp group</strong> in the village, which now has nearly 80 women. Most women have now been able to negotiate smart phone using the excuse of accessing homework sent by school for their children. "<em>Our families would have never agreed to get us a smartphone. My husband bought a new phone, and I could use his old phone</em>", mentioned a woman. Whatspp has helped in many ways to plan collective action.</span></div>
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<div class="gmail_default"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Using a meeting as a pretext, they <strong>organized a gathering at a resort</strong>. There, they dressed in clothes of their choice, enjoying a meal together and sharing laughter. "<em>I could never have imagined myself doing thi</em>s," remarked one of the women.</span></div>
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<div class="gmail_default"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">They also went to the local school to celebrate a renowned female social reformer Savitri Bhai Phule's birthday in the local school. The teachers were very happy as it was the f<strong>irst ever initiative by women on their own</strong>. "<em>We had never attended any of our children's school function, this allowed us to see our children perform in school</em>," mentioned one of the women. They ensured that a widow performed all rituals during the celebration, challenging societal norms. What i liked also that they involve women with disability in their group. </span></div>
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<div class="gmail_default"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><strong>Despite facing criticism</strong> from some villagers regarding their newfound independence, the mothers-in-law in the group urged the women not to pay attention to anyone and encouraged them to keep working towards their growth. The conversation showed us that relationships with mothers-in-law can be challenging, but when they become supportive, they can be strong allies. Women also noted the impact on their daughters. During the meeting, one daughter shared that her mother now encourages her to go out, even if she gets late from college, her mother supports her. Thus, mothers serve as powerful role models for their daughters. As mothers step out of their homes, they encourage their daughters to do the same, a ripple effect begins.</span></div>
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<div class="gmail_default"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12391665655?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12391665655?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full" width="583" height="262"/></a></span></div>
<div class="gmail_default"><p><span style="font-size: 10pt;">"<em>What would you like to do next</em>?" asked John. Their response brimmed with determination and clear outline of future actions. Firstly, they expressed their aspiration to establish a business akin to another successful women's group in the village. They would like to encourage other women to recognize their intrinsic worth. Each woman could do this in her own lane. However<span>, the women admitted that there are still a few women who do not support the initiative of involving widows and need to support widows.</span> Imran's suggestion of organizing a knowledge fair for connecting women from various villages excited the women. One old woman, her eyes twinkling with joy, that she could share knowledge of applying for an old age pension. to women not only from neighbouring villages but also to younger women within her own community.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><strong>Reflections</strong></span></p>
<ol>
<li><span style="font-size: 10pt;">When women experience individual and collective changes, the impact extends beyond themselves to influence others, particularly young girls. Instead of viewing SHGs for financial transaction, we have to build social capital within these groups. SALT and CLCP can be one way to do that.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 10pt;">As facilitators, we have learned that transformative change cannot be rushed or achieved through shortcuts. It requires patience and perseverance. Stimulating communities to take charge of their own issues can be messy, time-consuming, and chaotic. At times, it may even feel frustrating. However, it is essential to trust in the process.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 10pt;">The Avani Smile team's deep understanding of gender dynamics, coupled with a longstanding relationship with these villages and the application of SALT, appears to be catalyzing a meaningful change. Seth Godin's quote comes to my mind- "<em>The leap of choice. Not to suddenly get from here to there, but to choose to go on the journey."</em></span></li>
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<p><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Note: I found an article describing the above through social ripple effect model <a href="https://socialtrendspot.medium.com/how-we-can-change-the-world-the-social-ripple-effect-689d7d9ee40d">https://socialtrendspot.medium.com/how-we-can-change-the-world-the-social-ripple-effect-689d7d9ee40d</a></span></p>
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<div class="gmail_default"><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12391735456?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12391735456?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a></div>He taught me to unlearn...tag:aidscompetence.ning.com,2024-02-11:2028109:BlogPost:2105362024-02-11T12:00:00.000ZRituu B. Nandahttps://aidscompetence.ning.com/profile/RituuBNanda94
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The first time I spoke to S.M Tazammal Haque from Bangladesh Rural Economic Development (BRED) was on 6th Nov 2023. As Nawaz and I were to visit their office later in the month, I shared briefly about SALT and the baseline. There was warmth in his tone that immediately connected us. When we met at the BRED office in Dhaka, we formed an instant bond - we both confessed to not being morning people, which became an ongoing joke between us. …</span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The first time I spoke to S.M Tazammal Haque from Bangladesh Rural Economic Development (BRED) was on 6th Nov 2023. As Nawaz and I were to visit their office later in the month, I shared briefly about SALT and the baseline. There was warmth in his tone that immediately connected us. When we met at the BRED office in Dhaka, we formed an instant bond - we both confessed to not being morning people, which became an ongoing joke between us. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12378330292?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12378330292?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">(he is third one from the right)</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Unlearning </strong>We invited six NGOs of Global Fund for Children's community led Addressing Root Cause (ARC) Initiative for SALT and CLCLP in Dhaka. As one of the participants, the respect he had for everyone was remarkable.Despite his over 40 years of experience, he was genuinely curious and attentive, always eager to listen and learn from others, regardless of their age or experience. In our final reflections, he humbly admitted to absorbing much from everyone, especially those younger than him. The word that comes to my mind is <strong>grace</strong>- the way he interacted with others.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12378331471?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12378331471?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full" width="597" height="450"/>(Bhai presents values of BRED)</a></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12378331700?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12378331700?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">(SALT conversation with Lipika di)</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Upon my return from Bangladesh, I received two calls from him. He informed me that SALT and CLCP had prompted him to r<strong>ethink BRED's approach</strong> to working with communities, leading him to include SALT in concept notes for two BRED proposals to funders. He followed up with this message, "<em>We have also been able to sharpen our old rusty brains with new knowledge and ideas. Hopefully the knowledge gained will make our future endeavours more successful</em>."</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>His last message to me on whatsapp</strong>- "<em>Let 2024 be the year of SALT's progress and excellence.</em></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em>Happy New Year 2024</em>! "</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I was excited that we will gain from his experience as we embark on the ARC initiative, but it was not to be. Tazzamul Bhai, your gentle soul has left an indelible imprint on our lives, and you will be dearly missed by the ARC Bangladesh Cohort. You had said that you will be excited when Nawaz and I facilitate the BRED's organization dream and have lunch prepared at BRED office. This was not to be.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12378334469?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12378334469?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full" width="541" height="408"/></a></span></p>
<p></p>What you have learnt is just a handful of sandtag:aidscompetence.ning.com,2024-02-01:2028109:BlogPost:2101882024-02-01T11:30:00.000ZRituu B. Nandahttps://aidscompetence.ning.com/profile/RituuBNanda94
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">From 30th Jan to 1st Feb I facilitated SALT and CLCP with Team PIECES from organisation called SCARF in Chennai, India. They are working towards patient-owned approach to mental illness. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">When the whole group developed their dream, one of the sub-groups which called themselves Zen group shared their dream in the form of pictures and had powerful insights. I feel honoured to share it as a blog in their…</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">From 30th Jan to 1st Feb I facilitated SALT and CLCP with Team PIECES from organisation called SCARF in Chennai, India. They are working towards patient-owned approach to mental illness. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">When the whole group developed their dream, one of the sub-groups which called themselves Zen group shared their dream in the form of pictures and had powerful insights. I feel honoured to share it as a blog in their language.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">This is from me and my colleague who have both discussed, how mental health will be envisioned 10 years from now. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>We feel that mental health problems should be treated like any other chronic disease.</strong> All of us have mental health problems to different degrees. Some of us have actually come out and talked about it, so it's <strong>about all of us coming and talking about it a</strong>nd that is the way taboo in society will be eliminated. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>AI and technology</strong> is catching up and the human race is going to see an unprecedented change. Whether we like it or not, all our thoughts are going to be collected, and our collective IQs are going to be used to solve human problems. Elon Musk's Neuralink brain chip implanted in human beings attempts to do that. There will be a time when through technology where all thoughts will be archived and connected, everyone will know everybody's thoughts. If this is going to be the case, then why should a taboo be a taboo at all? <strong>It doesn't matter what age we are, even older people can learn from younger people.</strong> They shared two pictures to describe their thoughts.</span></p>
<p><br/> <span style="font-size: 12pt;">A chaiwala serving tea to all the people that he's met. And this is such a simple gesture but still it touches so many people's hearts and people don't forget once you get served tea. it's a gesture that comes from within, and is a symbolic of many things profound. <span>T<strong>he care one person has for another.</strong> Our intention <span class="gmail_default">was that</span> the same way we should all talk about mental health.</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12372522483?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12372522483?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-right"/></a></span><br/><span style="font-size: 12pt;">We should all have a listening ear to people who want to share their experiences a good or bad. Chronic diseases should be considered ordinary not chronic because we should be able to control them<span class="gmail_default"></span> with a magic pill and it's not magic any more because science has found solution.In 10 years time mental health will come to a state <strong>one person can give another person a listening year that happens across societ</strong>y</span><br/></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12372522690?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12372522690?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-right"/></a></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Second picture is Buddha with his eyes closed and meditating. This is </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">symbolic of <strong>people knowing everything about themselves when they lead their lives</strong>. This is an epitome of human consciousness. So we are all conscious beings and when we know that this is the truth and we will be able to solve, not just our own problems, but other people's problems as well. </span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Concluded with a quote</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em><strong>What you have learnt is just a handful of sand. What You have not is as big as this world</strong></em>. (English adaptation of a Tamil proverb by the renowned poetess Avvaiyar. It shows that there is unlimited knowledge waiting for us to learn "கற்றது கை மண் அளவு கல்லாதது உலகளவு" - ஔவையார்</span><br/> <br/> <br/> <br/> <span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>When you have no support, be your own pillar!tag:aidscompetence.ning.com,2024-01-21:2028109:BlogPost:2102492024-01-21T15:30:00.000ZRituu B. Nandahttps://aidscompetence.ning.com/profile/RituuBNanda94
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">It was a hazy winter evening at the Tea garden community of Dima, around 4 pm- 20th Jan'24. We had conducted one home SALT visit. Nityam and Rati urged us to do another SALT visit to the home of a tea garden worker- Pushpa . Anuradhaji, Shahrukh, and me, we joined them.…</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">It was a hazy winter evening at the Tea garden community of Dima, around 4 pm- 20th Jan'24. We had conducted one home SALT visit. Nityam and Rati urged us to do another SALT visit to the home of a tea garden worker- Pushpa . Anuradhaji, Shahrukh, and me, we joined them.</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12364077480?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12364077480?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="325" height="245" class="align-right"/></a></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">We sat in the courtyard, with the charming background of the cradle of Pusha's baby girl. </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Reflecting on her adolescence, Pushpa recounted the challenges she faced when her mother passed away during the 10th grade. As the eldest of four sisters, she took on the responsibility when her father fell severely ill. <em>People around pitied us, they said we had no brother to handle this difficult situation. I realized I had to rely on myself.</em> She left no stone unturned. As a young girl she for the first time visited hospitals, travelled to another city alone by train to procure medicine for her ailing father. <a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12364077299?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12364077299?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-right" width="140" height="399"/></a></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400; font-size: 12pt;">Marriage brought its own set of challenges, but having navigated the significant hurdle of her father's illness alone, Pushpa discovered an inner strength that enabled her to face subsequent difficulties. She has also noticed the strengths in her seven-year-old son. During their travels, he offers clues when she forgets the way. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>What can we learn from your life, we asked her:</strong></span></p>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400; font-size: 12pt;">Never let any challenge weigh you down; give it a try—your effort is sufficient. Trust in your own capacity!</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400; font-size: 12pt;">Everyone, even small children, have something to teach. Be open to learning from everyone.</span></li>
</ul>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Pushpa embodies the wisdom of this Spanish proverb- "</span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">Where there is no help, the heart must lean heavily on itself</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;">." </span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span>"<em>But sometimes, when there is belief in one's self, and one lets things happen, believing that even a setback is part of the course of one's life - then exciting and fascinating surprises occur.</em>" - Y Hecht</span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>My reflection as a facilitator from the above SALT conversation</strong>: SALT helps us realize that<span> each individual possesses an innate power. When this power is activated, it serves as a catalyst, stimulating individuals to shape their own lives. The more we facilitate SALT, the more we encounter strengths in others. </span></span>This gradually and organically diminishes our mindset to be the experts and the power we may exert over others as facilitators, prompting us to let go. </span></p>Appreciating people's strengths makes me happytag:aidscompetence.ning.com,2024-01-04:2028109:BlogPost:2095642024-01-04T07:30:00.000ZRituu B. Nandahttps://aidscompetence.ning.com/profile/RituuBNanda94
<p class="m_2141645055497392833headertext"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><font face="Tahoma" size="2">I used to work in UNDP Solution Exchange when I was first exposed to SALT. Laurence from the Constellation interviewed me for the newsletter, find the extract here. At that time, CLCP was called Aids competence (ACP). I started facilitating much later, as it took a lot of time to process a strength-based approach and move from an expert mindset. I did not give up and I finally took the first…</font></span></p>
<p class="m_2141645055497392833headertext"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><font size="2" face="Tahoma">I used to work in UNDP Solution Exchange when I was first exposed to SALT. Laurence from the Constellation interviewed me for the newsletter, find the extract here. At that time, CLCP was called Aids competence (ACP). I started facilitating much later, as it took a lot of time to process a strength-based approach and move from an expert mindset. I did not give up and I finally took the first step...still continue to unlearn every day. I thank all those who have walked with me on this path, encouraging, nudging and challenging. Rafique, Steve and Megh from UNDP were the first ones who made me go!</font></span></p>
<p class="m_2141645055497392833headertext"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Tahoma">Appreciating people's strengths <span class="il">makes</span> <span class="il">me</span> <span class="il">happy</span><br/></font></b> <font size="2" face="Tahoma">India, April</font></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><font size="2" face="Tahoma"><img border="0" width="150" height="209" id="m_2141645055497392833_x0000_i1025" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0?ui=2&ik=c31f6bd59a&attid=0.1&permmsgid=msg-f:1269021700527498329&th=119c788358342459&view=fimg&fur=ip&sz=s0-l75-ft&attbid=ANGjdJ8Cqp7j1ApGq31J3cZqCmhhZU5gWMNjcVQQx31d5eJxFLPftakBb7GoWXfM13sRfu1685mYiCRyZtVVoWapboZABFng3vfkLJ21a72XCsybkb57PyG6dVpxhLQ&disp=emb" class="CToWUd align-right" name="m_2141645055497392833_x0000_i1025"/>“As I look back, I cannot believe that I did not want to go for the first event of the ADB-NGO Competence Process. I work for a Knowledge Management Project called, <a href="http://www.solutionexchange-un.net.in/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Solution Exchange</a>, UNDP India. The advisor of our project asked one of the four-team members who work on health to attend the training. As nobody wanted to go, I had no choice but to go. Then, the magic of the AIDS Competence Process worked and I am so <span class="il">happy</span> that it did.</font></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><font size="2" face="Tahoma">I didn’t believe that people could do things by themselves. I thought NGOs needed to go and tell people what to do. However, I discovered the power of community responses and ownership!</font></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><font size="2" face="Tahoma">Here are two examples of community visits that changed my way of thinking.<br/> Firstly, I visited a community in Karnataka who has used the AIDS Competence Process, with the support of the NGO Samraksha. An old woman told <span class="il">me</span>: “<em>You know that it was a real taboo to talk about sex here. Now, we can openly discuss the issue. In the same way as we put on lipstick every day, we should use condoms!</em>” The women initially excluded the younger women members of her family from such discussions. Eventually, the woman even brought her daughters to the meeting, where community members discussed issues related to HIV.<br/> Secondly, I was impressed by a community in North-East India that had been working with The Salvation Army. The Dinthar community in Aizawl refused funds from the government and preferred to mobilize their funds, bought a piece of land and set up their own rehabilitation centre. Young people in that community were very active with an excellent prevention programme for Injection Drug Users.</font></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><font size="2" face="Tahoma">The AIDS Competence approach has helped <span class="il">me</span> a lot in my professional work, as it entwines Knowledge management with fieldwork. I now look for the strengths of the members of the Solution Exchange network. The focus now is on experiences rather than opinions.</font></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><font size="2" face="Tahoma">Apart from professional growth, ACP tugs an emotional chord in <span class="il">me</span>. ACP has reinforced the value of appreciation in my personal life. The best outcome has been that I have found one of the nicest and highly professional teams in the Constellation. The team practices what it preaches, which is very inspiring and motivating. Above all, I found a bunch of friends in the Constellation whom I can bank upon. ACP <span class="il">makes</span> <span class="il">me</span> <span class="il">happy</span>! Cheers!”</font></span></p>Are you a farmer?tag:aidscompetence.ning.com,2023-10-24:2028109:BlogPost:2088152023-10-24T10:30:00.000ZRituu B. Nandahttps://aidscompetence.ning.com/profile/RituuBNanda94
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">We enter a spic and span house of a couple who are organic farmers. My colleague Vikrant from Avani has been having SALT conversations with the male farmer, Mr Sanjay Chavan from Village Kandgaon, Maharashtra. The farmer has also contributed to the village's dream during this process which included a dialogue with village adolescents and children on organic farming.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">When we asked him about the good things he has…</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">We enter a spic and span house of a couple who are organic farmers. My colleague Vikrant from Avani has been having SALT conversations with the male farmer, Mr Sanjay Chavan from Village Kandgaon, Maharashtra. The farmer has also contributed to the village's dream during this process which included a dialogue with village adolescents and children on organic farming.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">When we asked him about the good things he has been doing, Mr. Chavan guided us to the back of his home, pointing to the piece of land where he cultivates. Outside his home, I saw his nephew diligently caring for the cows, providing them with chemical-free leftovers from the fields. The little boy in the video is the nephew's son.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LKZSow5tFFc?si=f-7Q6kRGpC0hfhy1&wmode=opaque" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>
</span></p>
<p><br/> <span style="font-size: 12pt;">These cows play a vital role in the household, as their dung is used to produce gas that fuels the kitchen stove through the gas pipe. Mr. Chavan's wife, an integral part of this sustainable work, heated the milk from their cows with organic turmeric and homemade jaggery before serving it to us. In their home, every resource is thoughtfully used and recycled.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8uE_wuIP1cY?si=ZfZ1KGkwru9fQqK-&wmode=opaque" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>
</span></p>
<p></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Mr. Chavan is a treasure trove of wisdom, a skill he is trying to pass down to his son and nephew, who ardently support his mission. His wife admitted that initially, she had been skeptical of organic farming, but her husband's conviction had swayed her. She now takes pride in their efforts, even though the productivity isn't as high, and the costs are greater. Their hope lies in the younger generation, trusting that they will come to appreciate the value of consuming organic food</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">.Mr. Chavan pointed out that the soil in his field is soft and pliable, unlike the chemically treated ones. It does not require heavy digging, with less disturbance to the soil. With less digging, plant roots are more stable and stronger, as over-digging can bring in more air into the soil than required. Such soil tends to drawn more carbon from the atmosphere. A few years back, when a massive flood struck the area, every crop was washed away, except for his fields, nurtured with indigenous knowledge. This unique success attracted scientists from around the world, who came to study his exceptional methods and understand why his fields were not damaged. The lesson is that his approach is more resilient to climate crisis related changes.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">As we expressed gratitude and prepared to leave, he inquired about my background, "<em>are you a farmer</em>?" When I responded, I wasn't. He laughed and commented, "<em>Then you must have studied agriculture and are here for research.</em>" With a smile, I confessed that I wasn't a farmer but had a background in public health. However, I was eager to learn about the journey of organic food to my table and the various techniques employed in its cultivation.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I couldn't help but notice Mr. Chavan's rubber shoes, with dried mud, placed outside his home. It struck me just how close he was to the soil and how distant I was from it. The SALT mindset allowed us to discover such a remarkable individual, and I fervently hope that Mr. Chavan's dream of more people in his village adopting organic farming will indeed become a reality. To conclude, I would say that we need teachers like Mr. Chavan in universities so that students can learn from experiential knowledge.</span></p>
<p><span><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12264209271?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12264209271?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a></span></p>
<p></p>
<p><br/> SALT visit with Avani Smile team- Imran( he clicked the picture), Koushalya, Vikrant, Jayshree & Shahrukh (he recorded the videos)</p>To co-create, distribute facilitation & connecttag:aidscompetence.ning.com,2023-08-01:2028109:BlogPost:2083802023-08-01T17:00:00.000ZRituu B. Nandahttps://aidscompetence.ning.com/profile/RituuBNanda94
<div>In May 2023, Global Fund for Children partners came together to share and learn, most of them had never met each other. The theme of the event was Community ownership and participatory MEL. Out of the 5 NGOs, four NGOs have used SALT and CLCP and participatory MEL. The event was hosted by NGO Avani in Kolhapur. <a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12175339854?profile=original" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><img class="align-full" height="266" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12175339854?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="355"></img></a></div>
<div><strong>Who facilitates? who…</strong></div>
<div>In May 2023, Global Fund for Children partners came together to share and learn, most of them had never met each other. The theme of the event was Community ownership and participatory MEL. Out of the 5 NGOs, four NGOs have used SALT and CLCP and participatory MEL. The event was hosted by NGO Avani in Kolhapur. <a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12175339854?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12175339854?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="355" height="266" class="align-full"/></a></div>
<div><strong>Who facilitates? who creates the space?</strong></div>
<div>I have facilitated several knowledge fairs and participated in both national and international learning festivals. I did not want to facilitate the whole event on my own. It was time to redistribute the power as a facilitator. </div>
<div><strong>Invitations</strong>- The invitation did not go from GFC, the Avani Smile team as the host sent out the invites. </div>
<div><strong>Setting the agenda</strong>-Before the Knowledge fair, I had multiple calls with about 15 participants. They gave plenty of ideas, and most were incorporated, one participant said that she wanted a discussion on the challenges of community ownership, and another wanted an interesting way to have introductions. Participants came forward to facilitate some sessions. The participants found these conversations very helpful. Many of them said that they were slightly apprehensive about what will happen, but thinking through the process before the event gave them a good understanding and made them take ownership. I invited other GFC staff to share their ideas and also take on facilitation roles. I learned that one or two people have to hold the space. My colleague Kulsoom virtually worked with me and took the lead in bringing all the ideas together to develop a process note. <a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12175340064?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12175340064?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="398" height="300" class="align-right"/></a></div>
<div><strong>Theme of the event</strong> <strong>& who participated</strong> Participatory MEL, community ownership and outcomes of the project. The event ended with a cultural evening. Day two communities, youth and children joined us, we were 108 people from 6 states and three countries.</div>
<div><b>Reflections and takeaways</b></div>
<div><ul>
<li>Facilitation in events was new for some facilitators but it was a good start. Facilitating a deep learning conversation means a lot of practice.</li>
<li>The second day we had 108 participants including 55 community members- men, women, health workers, children, and adolescents from 4 villages, they brought a lot of depth. The presence of about 20 SALT facilitators in the room enabled deep conversations. Avani Smile team had oriented some of their staff on SALT who also supported in facilitation. I learned that knowledge fair works well when those with lived experience share and exchange and outsiders listen with a SALT mindset and not as experts or solution providers. </li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12175342461?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12175342461?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full" width="455" height="303"/></a></p>
<ul>
<li>The second day with community presence, it was time for me to step back and let the local smile Avani team facilitate. when the co-facilitators are ready, they step in!</li>
<li>SALT visits before the KF had ignited the community, and they came with a lot of energy; SALT visits should be an essential part of KF</li>
<li>We. had multiple languages, and I think by day two we figured out a way to manage this skilfully. Having people allocated to translate saves time and makes possible deeper conversations. Worth the investment!.</li>
<li>Safeguarding was an essential part of our event. </li>
<li>International and national experiences of sharing community-led experiences by outsiders encouraged the communities and the participants. </li>
<li>We got participants external to the project like Brijesh who has used SALT with a survivor collective and Dr Balaram who recently went through SALT training and works with Pathfinder International. The aim was to connect different movements, organizations, and communities. <strong>Connection is key!</strong></li>
<li>We used Arts-based methods in facilitation, but we could have done more. </li>
<li>We had AERs on day one and two - which were facilitated by participants. These help to adapt for the following day.</li>
<li>Cultural performances introduce us to the culture of the participants </li>
<li>Post the event, we had three AER with multiple groups of people who co-facilitated the process.</li>
<li>Multiple people facilitate, but we need someone to anchor it.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12175341488?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12175341488?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full" width="516" height="389"/></a></p>
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<div>I have far to go as a facilitator in terms of coordinating different members facilitating. However, there is a sense of satisfaction as all the NGO staff took turns in facilitation, There was no one who went back not having facilitated or presented something. </div>
<div>Gratitude to the participants for debating, reflecting, drawing, and singing together. For the communities who came to encourage us and generously share with us. A big thank you to the GFC team mates- Corey, Indrani, Nawaz and Sam for the GFC AAR.</div>Down the memory lane- learning Festivals & Knowledge Fairstag:aidscompetence.ning.com,2023-07-18:2028109:BlogPost:2084702023-07-18T13:00:00.000ZRituu B. Nandahttps://aidscompetence.ning.com/profile/RituuBNanda94
<p><strong>Philip Forth</strong> describes, "<em>A Knowledge Fair is an event is which people come together to learn and to share based on their experiences. The guiding principle is that all of have something to learn and that all of us have something to share. There are no experts</em>."</p>
<p>I have been part of several learning festivals and Knowledge Fairs. I wrote a blog/compiled photos after almost all the events. </p>
<div><strong>Nov 2010, Karnataka, India </strong> mentored by Lawan…</div>
<p><strong>Philip Forth</strong> describes, "<em>A Knowledge Fair is an event is which people come together to learn and to share based on their experiences. The guiding principle is that all of have something to learn and that all of us have something to share. There are no experts</em>."</p>
<p>I have been part of several learning festivals and Knowledge Fairs. I wrote a blog/compiled photos after almost all the events. </p>
<div><strong>Nov 2010, Karnataka, India </strong> mentored by Lawan and Jean Louis as I savoured my first Knowledge Fair. We started with SALT visits . The participants were divided into multiple groups. I did not want to be part of a group which was visiting a religious leader but ended up learning a lot. Here is the blog</div>
<p><a href="https://aidscompetence.ning.com/profiles/blogs/what-i-resist-fate-insists" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://aidscompetence.ning.com/profiles/blogs/what-i-resist-fate-insists</a></p>
<div><strong>May 2011, Delhi, India </strong>Rafique was in Care India and organised a Knowledge Fair for Emphasis Project on cross-border migrants from Bangladesh and Nepal. SALT facilitators from several states of India joined. We also had Denis Broun <a href="https://aidscompetence.ning.com/photo/albums/care-india-emphasis-team" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://aidscompetence.ning.com/photo/albums/care-india-emphasis-team</a><br/><div><strong>Oct 2011 Moldova</strong>- Facilitated with Sirinate and experienced how people instantly overcame their stigma through SALT conversations <a href="https://aidscompetence.ning.com/photo/album/show?id=2028109%3AAlbum%3A85966" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://aidscompetence.ning.com/photo/album/show?id=2028109%3AAlbum%3A85966</a></div>
<div><strong>Dec 2011 Kazan-</strong> facilitated with Russian facilitators, there was a shooting incident in one of the SALT visits and we ended up doing an AER of that visit!</div>
<div><a href="https://aidscompetence.ning.com/photo/knowledge-fair-kazan" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://aidscompetence.ning.com/photo/knowledge-fair-kazan</a></div>
<div><div><strong> </strong></div>
<div><strong>2011- Kumta, Karnataka </strong><span>Samraksha hosted as a part of India competence. A ramp walk by CBOs of sex workers from Rajahmundry!</span></div>
<div><a href="https://aidscompetence.ning.com/photo/album/show?id=2028109%3AAlbum%3A37414" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://aidscompetence.ning.com/photo/album/show?id=2028109%3AAlbum%3A37414</a></div>
<div><a href="https://aidscompetence.ning.com/photo/nst" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://aidscompetence.ning.com/photo/nst</a></div>
<div><a href="https://aidscompetence.ning.com/photo/album/show?id=2028109%3AAlbum%3A43628" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://aidscompetence.ning.com/photo/album/show?id=2028109%3AAlbum%3A43628</a></div>
<div><a href="https://aidscompetence.ning.com/profiles/blog/show?id=2028109%3ABlogPost%3A47505&commentId=2028109%3AComment%3A48342" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://aidscompetence.ning.com/profiles/blog/show?id=2028109%3ABlogPost%3A47505&commentId=2028109%3AComment%3A48342</a></div>
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<div><strong>Nov 2012- Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu </strong>Constellation team had to shut down the head office in Chiangmai and our spirits were low in 2011. I suggested a Knowledge Fair which seemed impossible. </div>
<div><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12150124483?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12150124483?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="210" height="157" class="align-right"/></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">We had a KF a year later with SIAAP as the host. We had 150 participants including a truck driver from Kenya who had used SALT. Jan Somers and Susan Koshy added a lot of energy. Prabaka sang a a song on CLCP in Tamil. I did not facilitate at all as I was busy arranging, however, did sing a French song with coaching from Marie Lamboray. </div>
<div><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12150124866?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12150124866?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="223" height="167" class="align-right"/></a></div>
<div><a href="https://aidscompetence.ning.com/xn/detail/2028109:BlogPost:109933" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://aidscompetence.ning.com/xn/detail/2028109:BlogPost:109933</a></div>
<div><a href="https://aidscompetence.ning.com/xn/detail/2028109:BlogPost:159955" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://aidscompetence.ning.com/xn/detail/2028109:BlogPost:159955</a></div>
<div><a href="https://aidscompetence.ning.com/xn/detail/2028109:BlogPost:114888" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://aidscompetence.ning.com/xn/detail/2028109:BlogPost:114888</a></div>
<div><a href="https://aidscompetence.ning.com/xn/detail/2028109:BlogPost:108774" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://aidscompetence.ning.com/xn/detail/2028109:BlogPost:108774</a></div>
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<div><a href="https://aidscompetence.ning.com/xn/detail/2028109:BlogPost:108972" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://aidscompetence.ning.com/xn/detail/2028109:BlogPost:108972</a></div>
<div><a href="https://aidscompetence.ning.com/xn/detail/2028109:BlogPost:108563" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://aidscompetence.ning.com/xn/detail/2028109:BlogPost:108563</a></div>
<div><a href="https://aidscompetence.ning.com/xn/detail/2028109:BlogPost:108784" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://aidscompetence.ning.com/xn/detail/2028109:BlogPost:108784</a></div>
<div><a href="https://aidscompetence.ning.com/xn/detail/2028109:Topic:110181" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://aidscompetence.ning.com/xn/detail/2028109:Topic:110181</a></div>
<div><a href="https://aidscompetence.ning.com/xn/detail/2028109:BlogPost:110754" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://aidscompetence.ning.com/xn/detail/2028109:BlogPost:110754</a></div>
<div><a href="https://aidscompetence.ning.com/profiles/blog/show?id=2028109%3ABlogPost%3A47505&commentId=2028109%3AComment%3A48342" target="_blank" rel="noopener"></a><div><strong>2016 Mauritius</strong></div>
<div>I did not facilitate but compiled daily newsletters</div>
<div><a href="https://aidscompetence.ning.com/xn/detail/2028109:Photo:152215" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://aidscompetence.ning.com/xn/detail/2028109:Photo:152215</a></div>
<div><a href="https://aidscompetence.ning.com/xn/detail/2028109:Album:152305" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://aidscompetence.ning.com/xn/detail/2028109:Album:152305</a></div>
<div><a href="https://aidscompetence.ning.com/xn/detail/2028109:Comment:155299" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://aidscompetence.ning.com/xn/detail/2028109:Comment:155299</a></div>
<div><a href="https://aidscompetence.ning.com/xn/detail/2028109:BlogPost:152540" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://aidscompetence.ning.com/xn/detail/2028109:BlogPost:152540</a></div>
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<div><a href="https://aidscompetence.ning.com/xn/detail/2028109:BlogPost:152413" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://aidscompetence.ning.com/xn/detail/2028109:BlogPost:152413</a></div>
<div><a href="https://aidscompetence.ning.com/xn/detail/2028109:BlogPost:157100" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://aidscompetence.ning.com/xn/detail/2028109:BlogPost:157100</a></div>
<div><a href="https://aidscompetence.ning.com/xn/detail/2028109:BlogPost:152561" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://aidscompetence.ning.com/xn/detail/2028109:BlogPost:152561</a></div>
<div><a href="https://aidscompetence.ning.com/xn/detail/2028109:BlogPost:152481" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://aidscompetence.ning.com/xn/detail/2028109:BlogPost:152481</a></div>
<div><a href="https://aidscompetence.ning.com/xn/detail/2028109:BlogPost:154615" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://aidscompetence.ning.com/xn/detail/2028109:BlogPost:154615</a></div>
<div><a href="https://aidscompetence.ning.com/xn/detail/2028109:BlogPost:165432" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://aidscompetence.ning.com/xn/detail/2028109:BlogPost:165432</a></div>
<div><a href="https://aidscompetence.ning.com/xn/detail/2028109:BlogPost:163982" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://aidscompetence.ning.com/xn/detail/2028109:BlogPost:163982</a></div>
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<div><div><strong>2017, Entebbe, Uganda</strong></div>
<div>My mother was very ill but decided to go at the last minute as I had worked with the communities in Entebe and they were very dear to me. I had the privilege of being in team of Khun Usa, Anita Sheehan, Jerome, Eunice, Luc, Kausar Apa for SALT visits. I sprained my foot during a SALT visit and it was painful last few days. I compiled newsletters everyday, Marie helped to post this time as internet was very patchy. Very fond memories of the Botswana SALT facilitators.</div>
<div><a href="https://aidscompetence.ning.com/profiles/blogs/you-are-not-poor-it-is-your-mindset-which-is-poor" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://aidscompetence.ning.com/profiles/blogs/you-are-not-poor-it-is-your-mindset-which-is-poor</a></div>
<div><a href="https://aidscompetence.ning.com/xn/detail/2028109:BlogPost:165239" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://aidscompetence.ning.com/xn/detail/2028109:BlogPost:165239</a></div>
<div><a href="https://aidscompetence.ning.com/xn/detail/2028109:BlogPost:165685" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://aidscompetence.ning.com/xn/detail/2028109:BlogPost:165685</a></div>
<div><a href="https://aidscompetence.ning.com/xn/detail/2028109:BlogPost:165905" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://aidscompetence.ning.com/xn/detail/2028109:BlogPost:165905</a></div>
<div><a href="https://aidscompetence.ning.com/xn/detail/2028109:BlogPost:165619" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://aidscompetence.ning.com/xn/detail/2028109:BlogPost:165619</a></div>
<div><a href="https://aidscompetence.ning.com/xn/detail/2028109:BlogPost:166654" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://aidscompetence.ning.com/xn/detail/2028109:BlogPost:166654</a></div>
<div><a href="https://aidscompetence.ning.com/xn/detail/2028109:BlogPost:169603" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://aidscompetence.ning.com/xn/detail/2028109:BlogPost:169603</a></div>
<div><a href="https://aidscompetence.ning.com/xn/detail/2028109:BlogPost:165251" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://aidscompetence.ning.com/xn/detail/2028109:BlogPost:165251</a></div>
<div><a href="https://aidscompetence.ning.com/xn/detail/2028109:BlogPost:167423" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://aidscompetence.ning.com/xn/detail/2028109:BlogPost:167423</a></div>
<div><a href="https://aidscompetence.ning.com/xn/detail/2028109:BlogPost:165432" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://aidscompetence.ning.com/xn/detail/2028109:BlogPost:165432</a></div>
<div><a href="https://aidscompetence.ning.com/xn/detail/2028109:BlogPost:165239" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://aidscompetence.ning.com/xn/detail/2028109:BlogPost:165239</a></div>
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<div><br/><div><div><strong>2018 first Knowledge Fair Assam, India</strong></div>
<div>Healthrise team joined us, we had knowledge fair in each of the three districts. </div>
<div><a href="https://aidscompetence.ning.com/profiles/blogs/shimla-knowledge-fair-conversation-without-preconceived-outcomes" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://aidscompetence.ning.com/profiles/blogs/shimla-knowledge-fair-conversation-without-preconceived-outcomes</a></div>
<div><a href="https://aidscompetence.ning.com/profiles/blogs/what-the-knowledge-fair-can-do-learn-share-transfer-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://aidscompetence.ning.com/profiles/blogs/what-the-knowledge-fair-can-do-learn-share-transfer-1</a></div>
<div><a href="https://aidscompetence.ning.com/profiles/blogs/community-spoke-we-listened-they-shared-we-applauded" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://aidscompetence.ning.com/profiles/blogs/community-spoke-we-listened-they-shared-we-applauded</a></div>
<div><a href="https://aidscompetence.ning.com/profiles/blogs/my-experiece-at-assam-knowledge-fair-with-the-assam-salt-team" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://aidscompetence.ning.com/profiles/blogs/my-experiece-at-assam-knowledge-fair-with-the-assam-salt-team</a></div>
<div><strong>Knowledge Fair, 2018 Udaipur, India</strong></div>
<div>This was under project on patient led response to diabetes and hypertension. Aditya did a fabulous job of facebook live, and we had Komal with us! Women came in veils but spoke confidently. I remember an older woman convincing her husband that it was important that she join the event. A villager shared that before SALT his village had rejected the toilets, we used to rear hens in the toilets. But now we use the toilets, its important for health of the village members.</div>
<div><a href="https://aidscompetence.ning.com/profiles/blogs/what-the-knowledge-fair-can-do-learn-share-transfer-1">https://aidscompetence.ning.com/profiles/blogs/what-the-knowledge-fair-can-do-learn-share-transfer-1</a></div>
<div><strong>Knowledge Fair, 2018 Shimla, India</strong></div>
under project on patient led response to diabetes and hypertension. Dr Manisha and Dr Gaurav did a great job inviting communities from two blocks of Shimla. Dr Nayanjeet joined and he was fascinated by the ownership of the communities and he felt we should video record what was happening. Am so glad Komal could also join.<a href="https://aidscompetence.ning.com/profiles/blogs/shimla-knowledge-fair-conversation-without-preconceived-outcomes">https://aidscompetence.ning.com/profiles/blogs/shimla-knowledge-fair-conversation-without-preconceived-outcomes</a></div>
<div><div><strong>2019- Second Knowledge Fair, Assam, India</strong></div>
<div>This had Shakilji, northeast team mates Joma and Maii joining us, then from JJK Pratibha and Manjuji. </div>
<div><a href="https://aidscompetence.ning.com/profiles/blogs/community-youth-i-ll-give-you-evidence-of-community-response-to" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://aidscompetence.ning.com/profiles/blogs/community-youth-i-ll-give-you-evidence-of-community-response-to</a></div>
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<div><strong>2020- Third knowledge Fair Assam, India</strong>- just before the pandemic - we had HealthRise team - Dr Nayanjeet and Laura Simms a storyteller who added so much richness to the conversations</div>
<div><a href="https://aidscompetence.ning.com/profiles/blogs/deep-conversations-when-people-dare-to-be-themselves" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://aidscompetence.ning.com/profiles/blogs/deep-conversations-when-people-dare-to-be-themselves</a></div>
<div><a href="https://aidscompetence.ning.com/profiles/blogs/knowledge-is-fair" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://aidscompetence.ning.com/profiles/blogs/knowledge-is-fair</a></div>
<div><a href="https://aidscompetence.ning.com/profiles/blogs/shift-in-gender-roles-and-responsibilities" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://aidscompetence.ning.com/profiles/blogs/shift-in-gender-roles-and-responsibilities</a></div>
<div><a href="https://aidscompetence.ning.com/profiles/blogs/small-revolution-of-human-resourcefulness-and-creativity" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://aidscompetence.ning.com/profiles/blogs/small-revolution-of-human-resourcefulness-and-creativity</a></div>
<div><strong>2021- online Kenya </strong>COVID could not stop the Constellation, Kenya team hosted an online event. We visited several villages online. here is a blog <a href="https://aidscompetence.ning.com/profiles/blogs/20-000-red-bricks-in-one-month">https://aidscompetence.ning.com/profiles/blogs/20-000-red-bricks-in-one-month</a></div>
<div><strong>2023- Kolhapur, India </strong>Facilitated for Global Fund for Children, a mix of NGO participants and community members. A move to encourage joint facilitation. <a href="https://aidscompetence.ning.com/profiles/blogs/to-co-create-distribute-facilitation-connect">https://aidscompetence.ning.com/profiles/blogs/to-co-create-distribute-facilitation-connect</a></div>
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</div>Why does it take time to adopt SALT?tag:aidscompetence.ning.com,2023-05-01:2028109:BlogPost:2079592023-05-01T13:30:00.000ZRituu B. Nandahttps://aidscompetence.ning.com/profile/RituuBNanda94
<p>Rural Aid works with Tea Garden communities in West Bengal and started using SALT more than a year ago. I asked the wonderful team the reason why those working with communities take so much time to understand and use SALT. Here is what they said- Very powerful and clear. Thank you Rural Aid team!</p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/11038575468?profile=original" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><img class="align-full" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/11038575468?profile=RESIZE_710x"></img></a></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>Reason…</strong></span></p>
<p>Rural Aid works with Tea Garden communities in West Bengal and started using SALT more than a year ago. I asked the wonderful team the reason why those working with communities take so much time to understand and use SALT. Here is what they said- Very powerful and clear. Thank you Rural Aid team!</p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/11038575468?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/11038575468?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>Reason one</strong>- We were very used to being told what to do and deliver it in the community . We had a fixed agenda and pre-planned programmes. We would go, educate the community and come back. When we are expected to focus on numbers and targets like find out school drop outs or missing children and get them into school. As we have to reach our target, we develop this mindset of focusing to achieve these goals irrespective of what the community wants. We think its good for them. </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Facilitation and SALT was a very alien concept for us. We can say that we had gotten into the habit of doing awareness and teaching in the community. </span><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span>Communities are also confused why are they suddenly appreciating and listening to us.</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>Reason two</strong>- We started taking SALT seriously in Dec 2022 when we noticed results in the community and in ourselves. It takes time to see results through SALT Faciitation and one does not know what is going on. </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">But when we saw that we began to change in our personal and professional lives, our relations at home with our family became stronger as we were listening more. Similarly our bond with community was getting stronger and deeper. There is an Aanganwadi helper who after SALT has started keeping a list of school drop outs and goes and convinces their parents to get them back in school. When you use SALT in the work, the community takes ownership of the solution and NGOs goals are automatically achieved. Then we don't have to chase targets.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>Reason three-</strong> we did not know how to incorporate in our activities, we initially thought it was to be done separately. But when we begin to understand we can apply it in our work and it would enhance our work we started taking it seriously in Jan 2023.</span></p>
<p>I further asked them <strong>what i could have done better</strong>- if you had visited us more often and we would have seen you demonstrate how to facilitate SALT and if you had done more follow ups. It is hard to pick this up through Zoom. We should have developed some targets.</p>
<p>I conclude with a powerful quote which in Hindi language is vey poetic.</p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“<em>When we used to lecture them, the community would run away from us, now when we listen to them, they are connecting with us</em>.“ Ujana</span></p>
<p></p>We needed outsiders to come & ask us our dream!tag:aidscompetence.ning.com,2023-04-11:2028109:BlogPost:2078862023-04-11T17:00:00.000ZRituu B. Nandahttps://aidscompetence.ning.com/profile/RituuBNanda94
<p><b>Kandgaon village builds its common dream for children & youth</b></p>
<p><b><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/11026605284?profile=original" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><img class="align-full" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/11026605284?profile=RESIZE_710x"></img></a></b></p>
<p><span>Avani Team conducted several SALT conversations in the past few months in Village Kandgaon, Maharashtra, India. the project is supported by Global Fund for children.</span></p>
<p><span>On 4th April, the team invited the local elected leader, a female…</span></p>
<p><b>Kandgaon village builds its common dream for children & youth</b></p>
<p><b><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/11026605284?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/11026605284?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a></b></p>
<p><span>Avani Team conducted several SALT conversations in the past few months in Village Kandgaon, Maharashtra, India. the project is supported by Global Fund for children.</span></p>
<p><span>On 4th April, the team invited the local elected leader, a female Sarpanch, local grassroot level workers, Men, mothers, grandmothers, children, and adolescents to weave their dream for children and youth. </span></p>
<p><span>They listened to and cheered each other. Men urged for organic farming for the health of the children, and women wanted children to get educated. Boys are concerned about the environment - very concerned about the waste in the village. The girls want an equal place in the community- we want to be economically independent. The parents do not allow them to study outside the village or work and want them to get married and settle down. Girls said that we dream that we have a job and as respected as men. We are a new generation.</span><span><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/11026606468?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/11026606468?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="208" height="370" class="align-right"/></a><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/11026605696?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/11026605696?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="278" height="208" class="align-right"/></a></span></p>
<p><span>The headmaster got emotional, we need to do this in the school. An 11-year-old girl said I am very happy with this process, adults need to listen to us, and children need to have a say in the functioning of the village. The elected female head assured that she will involve children in future conversations. The aanganwadi workers said that we have been doing what we are trained, we have never thought what we could do for our village. this process has shown us the way.<a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/11026606500?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/11026606500?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a></span></p>
<p><span>As I said goodbye, one of the grandmas approached me and appreciated the process. She commented that it took outsiders to come and ask us what is our common dream. We should have done it on our own years ago.<a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/11026609098?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/11026609098?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a></span></p>
<p><span><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/11026607284?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/11026607284?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a></span></p>
<p><span>Dr Balaram from nearby district and Rupa and Deepa from nearby Village Nandwal encouraged the villagers to work towards their dream. Ravi sat with the children and urged them to dream big. The event was facilitated by Vikrant, Jayshri and Koushalya.</span></p>
<p><span>Concluding Reflection- Ex-President of India. -- A. P. J. Abdul Kalam gives us the reason why we need to dream- "<em>You have to dream before your dreams can come true." </em></span></p>
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<p>Photos courtesy: Koushalya and Dr Balaram</p>
<p></p>Village celebrates improvement in immunisation and use of water filterstag:aidscompetence.ning.com,2022-10-25:2028109:BlogPost:2059242022-10-25T09:30:00.000ZRituu B. Nandahttps://aidscompetence.ning.com/profile/RituuBNanda94
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">This was shared by SALT facilitator, Baharul Islam, from C-NES, Assam on 28/12/2018</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br></br></span> <span style="font-weight: 400;"><br></br></span> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Re-self assessment of their dream by community group from Kerkhabari village of Bongaigaon district, Assam where it was seen that they were able to reach the target planned during the first phase of SALT intervention from…</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">This was shared by SALT facilitator, Baharul Islam, from C-NES, Assam on 28/12/2018</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br/></span> <span style="font-weight: 400;"><br/></span> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Re-self assessment of their dream by community group from Kerkhabari village of Bongaigaon district, Assam where it was seen that they were able to reach the target planned during the first phase of SALT intervention from level 3 to level 4 immunization. Also regarding use of water filters they have moved from level 2 to level 3. The champions in the village have taken an active lead to reach the target planned, with some new targets being set during the 2nd phase of SALT intervention.</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10854581663?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10854581663?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a></span></span></p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10854579095?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10854579095?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a></p>
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<p><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10854581477?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/> <span>Public drinking water source damage from last one year. Picture taken on 16th July 2018</span></p>
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<p><span><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10858897070?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10858897070?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a></span></p>
<p><span> On 19th Sept 2019, SALT champions in the village Sri Pronab Ray and sri Komola kanta Ray take a part in VHSNC meeting to discuss immunization, water purity and nutrition.</span></p>
<p></p>
<p><span>On 5th Oct 2019, I met Champion Komola kanta Ray said safe drinking water supply for community was their dream .. But no any water supply facilities in their village by Govt. So they plan for discuss<a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10858899078?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10858899078?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a> on this issues with GP ward member & other authorities for take any action by Government. he also said they will organise a village level meeting after Laxmi Puja in this month and they will invite me for attend that meeting.</span></p>School Management committee responds to contaminated drinking watertag:aidscompetence.ning.com,2022-10-24:2028109:BlogPost:2057332022-10-24T17:30:00.000ZRituu B. Nandahttps://aidscompetence.ning.com/profile/RituuBNanda94
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The project with behaviour change approach rooted in community ownership took place in 2 phases between April 2017 and Feb 2020.A story from Village Kanara, Bongaigaon district which was carried out by Centre of North East Studies and Policy Research (C-NES) …</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10853791680?profile=original" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><img class="align-full" height="340" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10853791680?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="608"></img></a></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The project with behaviour change approach rooted in community ownership took place in 2 phases between April 2017 and Feb 2020.A story from Village Kanara, Bongaigaon district which was carried out by Centre of North East Studies and Policy Research (C-NES) </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10853791680?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10853791680?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full" width="608" height="340"/></a></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span>Facilitators Baharul, Jahirul, Noor Jamal, Sujit with Monjur had been facilitating SALT approach in the villages in Bongaigaon district on child health from April 2017 onwards. After first self assessment we saw communities responding to immunization and after second self assessment in 2018, communities realised the need to address the issue of contaminated drinking water. Arsenic and fluoride contamination in drinking water is a threat to public health across Assam, affecting over 1.6 million people according to the Ministry of Jal Shakti, which oversees water and sanitation.</span></p>
<p><span>In village Kanara beel, families realised that they know how to make indigenous water filters. We saw families began to make water filters. Those who did not know this skill they learned from other villagers. Noor Jamal, a SALT facilitator, notes that about 50-60% families were making water filters.</span></p>
<p><span>In June 2018, a SALT visit with the School Management committee (SMC) of L.P. School a youth Saiful Islam, invited the guardian of the students to the meeting. Discussions were held on safe drinking for students of the school. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">11 youth and SMC members from the village took the responsibility to collect Rs. 10 from each family of the village and install a local filter in the school.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10853794676?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10853794676?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-right"/></a></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Filter number one</strong></span> <span style="font-size: 12pt;">In July 2018, the school committee bought a new filter and installed it in the school for the better health care of the children.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Reflections from the SALT facilitators</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“ <em> I was actually trying to listen and learn from community</em>.Noor Jamal</span><br/> <span style="font-size: 12pt;"> <em>We do not forget to appreciate them for the small steps they are taking of their own. It led to a rise in their confidence level to take more actions on their own</em>." Jahirul</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em>The second self assessment stimulated the community to take action on drinking water,</em> says Baharul</span></p>
<p></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">On 15/11/2018 Baharul, SALT facilitator, visited the Kanara beel where he met SMC president & Head Master of kanara Beel LP school. The president said that they had a bought a second filter from SMC funds. <a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10853800688?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10853800688?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full" width="549" height="308"/></a></span></p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>Lesson:</strong> Communities have the wisdom, if stimulated, they can respond to many of their issues through local solutions. Am very grateful to the facilitators of CNES for this excellent facilitation, which resulted in the emergence of young champions in the village. The youth were not parents yet, but as child health became the dream of the village, they took leadership to respond and take action.</p>
<p><span>A short audio-visual on the project made after one year by the implementing organisations <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkHEIf9fi-s">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkHEIf9fi-s</a></span></p>
<p>Related blog <a href="https://aidscompetence.ning.com/profiles/blogs/are-we-drinking-properly-filtered-water">https://aidscompetence.ning.com/profiles/blogs/are-we-drinking-properly-filtered-water</a></p>We were trying to teach so much to the people who already knowtag:aidscompetence.ning.com,2022-09-23:2028109:BlogPost:2049862022-09-23T17:00:00.000ZRituu B. Nandahttps://aidscompetence.ning.com/profile/RituuBNanda94
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">( Cho Naga for Foundation, Cameroon is a part of Constellation’s Go Girl multi-country project since April 2021 on engaging communities particularly girls in prevention of teenage pregnancies. Read more about the project <a href="https://the-constellation.org/go-girl/">https://the-constellation.org/go-girl/ ) </a><a href="https://cnfoundation.ch/">https://cnfoundation.ch/</a></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Doreen<span> Bieri's </span>team works…</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">( Cho Naga for Foundation, Cameroon is a part of Constellation’s Go Girl multi-country project since April 2021 on engaging communities particularly girls in prevention of teenage pregnancies. Read more about the project <a href="https://the-constellation.org/go-girl/">https://the-constellation.org/go-girl/ ) </a><a href="https://cnfoundation.ch/">https://cnfoundation.ch/</a></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Doreen<span> Bieri's </span>team works with girls on teenage pregnancy and menstrual hygiene in schools and communities in Mbengwi / Bamenda North West Province. She shared the shift in her organisation's approach after introduction to SALT way of working. I was privileged to hear her during a Zoom call and took some notes, which I am sharing on her behalf.)</span></p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10826071291?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10826071291?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">We have actually been investing so much energy and giving so much to the people who already know what we are telling them. So, the SALT approach helped us to change our approach as a whole. I am confirming what my other team members have said, the approach going in the communities, the school environment was very large. Using the SALT we could identify that singing a song with the children a simple song they know makes them keep quiet, and makes them participate.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">We started doing our activities based very much on ideology of SALT. We did not just give as we used to give. 80% of was what children gave and 20% what we brought in as said by Paul, my colleague. It made the activities very light.</span></p>
<p><br/> <span style="font-size: 12pt;">We worked with two groups. In each of the groups We had a crowd of about 100 children. We were able to implement 2 activities in a one day with the primary and secondary children. We met the head teachers, had conversations with the school upfront, community was able to accept us.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">It really is about what we have to do with them given the SALT approach. I realised that we had not been appreciating much. We started to work with what they know, we appreciated just a little, and they added to what we brought to them. It created a whole world and a whole different environment, especially when we let them remake ownership of their problems and support them to teach each other while we add w to what they know. With very little stimulation, learning and transfer becomes more effective thanks to the SALT training.<a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10825552097?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10825552097?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The whole activity was done jointly by group as one and through that, we were able to achieve our goal by looking at how to implement our activities further.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Case study if our approach is a girls group piloted by Helen with Brandy and Marie to train girls every Monday to Friday over WhatsApp. Through this, we realized that these girls know a lot. Then we tried to use whatsapp during the holidays. What can we do that is profitable to them. Every evening these girls spend two hours chatting talking about say Gender Based Violence(GBV), u wanted pregnancies, and girls come up with their own ideas. We don’t go and tell the girls about GBV as if they don’t know. We have come to realise that girls, the people, and the community we are trying to support know already much. So appreciation and learning from each other that has been our guiding principle through the support of the SALT approach.</span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10825552483?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10825552483?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10825552681?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10825552681?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Childern take ownership of the project and teach others</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10825553474?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10825553474?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a></span></p>The worst thing you can do is give a sense of dependencytag:aidscompetence.ning.com,2022-08-20:2028109:BlogPost:2047642022-08-20T18:30:00.000ZRituu B. Nandahttps://aidscompetence.ning.com/profile/RituuBNanda94
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Sir Ratan Tata, shares his insights on the way forward with communities in India. Hearing him I could not help feel that this is what the world needs, not only India. I took some notes. Watch the video from 4:02 mins- <strong>3 mins</strong> of your time!</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">1. The worst thing you can do to a country is to give everyone a sense of dependency on an outside force. <strong>You have to create sustainability that is…</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Sir Ratan Tata, shares his insights on the way forward with communities in India. Hearing him I could not help feel that this is what the world needs, not only India. I took some notes. Watch the video from 4:02 mins- <strong>3 mins</strong> of your time!</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">1. The worst thing you can do to a country is to give everyone a sense of dependency on an outside force. <strong>You have to create sustainability that is self-generated</strong>.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">He gives an example. If we have to create an environmental innovation but that innovation comes not only in nutritive things but also a more holistic approach in how to create prosperity in the village, and local livelihoods like fish ponds. We are not addressing these issues adequately in the country, many things can done. if the nutritive value of what we eat has diminished because we have allowed it to diminish.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">2. When the foundation pulls out, the NGO collapses, the community collapses you have created a complacency factor...that money flows from the government, from the trust. T<strong>he external agency has failed in not providing something that makes the community stronger, makes it more productive,</strong> gives it a sense of wanting to do something for itself, and creates pride in what it stands for; perhaps we have to change what we have been doing, be idea givers rather than money givers. </span></p>
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<div><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Thanks, Sir Ratan Tata for reiterating a lesson we have been advocating in the Constellation- <strong>we move from being providers to facilitators. </strong></span></div>
<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2aGZyYFx8m0?start=241&wmode=opaque" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>
</div>From EGO to ECO: decolonization and decentering of research & developmenttag:aidscompetence.ning.com,2022-08-03:2028109:BlogPost:2050342022-08-03T18:30:00.000ZRituu B. Nandahttps://aidscompetence.ning.com/profile/RituuBNanda94
<p>I attended <span> </span><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/globalinsight/#" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Global Insight </a>Brown Bag in which three speakers <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/globalinsight/#" rel="noopener" target="_blank"></a><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/globalinsight/#" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Naama Raz-Yaseef, Ph.D.</a><span>,</span> <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/globalinsight/#" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Carla…</a></p>
<p>I attended <span> </span><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/globalinsight/#" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Global Insight </a>Brown Bag in which three speakers <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/globalinsight/#" target="_blank" rel="noopener"></a><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/globalinsight/#" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Naama Raz-Yaseef, Ph.D.</a><span>,</span> <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/globalinsight/#" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Carla Handley</a><span>, and</span> <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/globalinsight/#" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Gustavo Hernandez</a><span> shared on participatory approaches at the intersection of decolonization and climate change, </span>The presenters emphasised that environmental goals cannot be achieved without community participation. They discussed the need to move from extraction of local knowledge to authentically community-led research. what is the role of communities, government and external researchers. They also underlined that participation includes human beings as well as nature.</p>
<p><strong><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10746306277?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10746306277?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="479" height="221" class="align-right"/></a></strong></p>
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<p><strong>Three Takeaways:</strong></p>
<ol>
<li><span><strong>Extractive research increases the marginalization of indigenous people</strong> and local communities. We need to move f</span>rom transactional to relational mindset - Dr Carla</li>
</ol>
<p> 2. <strong>From community engagement to community-decision making</strong> - act beyond tokenism. Change operational culture from inside. While local communities are central, non-local entities can offer skills and coordination- Dr Naama</p>
<p> 3<strong>. Embrace '</strong><span><strong>buen vivir'</strong> </span></p>
<p>Respect and do not commodify nature. <span>- focus on the collective- living in harmony with people and nature. </span>We have forgotten that we are humans in the communities of other living beings. we have to reframe the notion of participation as nature and society are inter-linked. Dr Juan emphasized the need for Laws around biocentrism,<span> which holds that the natural environment has its own set of rights.</span></p>
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<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10746309496?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10746309496?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full" width="620" height="281"/></a></p>
<p>Dr Naama shared an example of community led research for environmental justice in which communities used nature based solutions to the issue of rising water level of the sea in Bay area of Sanfrancisco </p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10746311694?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10746311694?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a></p>
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<p><span><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GIbrownbag?src=hashtag_click"><strong>#GIbrownbag</strong></a></span></p>
<p>The event concluded with discussion on a challenging topic- quality in participatory research to which the presenters responded that they let their control and expectations as professional researchers and let the community drive the research agenda.</p>
<p>A big thanks to Jillian J Foster and Global Insight team for this excellent webinar. Slides are courtesy of the presenters.</p>Igniting the dreams of childrentag:aidscompetence.ning.com,2022-05-15:2028109:BlogPost:2038002022-05-15T09:00:00.000ZRituu B. Nandahttps://aidscompetence.ning.com/profile/RituuBNanda94
<p>At Global Fund for Children. we have introduced Constellation’s SALT and community life competence process (CLCP) to some NGO partners in India. SALT helps the NGO staff to step back and create space for the children, youth and community to carve their own path based on their strengths. Recently I visited to learn from the communities of two NGOs – Avani (Maharashtra State) and Rural Aid (West Bengal state)</p>
<p><strong>Weaving the common dream- </strong>Outsiders tend to offer project…</p>
<p>At Global Fund for Children. we have introduced Constellation’s SALT and community life competence process (CLCP) to some NGO partners in India. SALT helps the NGO staff to step back and create space for the children, youth and community to carve their own path based on their strengths. Recently I visited to learn from the communities of two NGOs – Avani (Maharashtra State) and Rural Aid (West Bengal state)</p>
<p><strong>Weaving the common dream- </strong>Outsiders tend to offer project activities to communities. Instead, after SALT visits as second step of CLCP NGO staff invited the children, youth and community to weave their dream for children and youth in the village. The dreams emerged in the form of songs, text, drama and pictures.</p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10474309269?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10474309269?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a></p>
<p><strong>A powerful moment</strong> was when we adults listened to the dreams of the children and adolescents- the parents, the community members. The children had given serious thought to their dreams, and the adults listened to every word. The adults got emotional, encouraged the children, and promised full support to help fulfil their dreams. Similarly, on hearing the dreams of the adults in the community the children felt energised, "o<em>ur dreams are so similar</em>."</p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10474309076?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10474309076?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a></p>
<p><strong>My key takeaways</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>When we listen to children and not ask them to do what we desire, it makes them feel important. They feel that their opinions matter, which can raise their self-esteem.</li>
<li>Dream can provide a way for the children to explore their own selves and become what they know they can be.</li>
<li>When children create their own future, it can fuel purpose and motivate them to work harder.</li>
<li>They take responsibility of their dreams and prepare them to face the consequences.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Adults as lighthouses </strong> As adults, it is hard to allow the children to choose for themselves. SALT conversations create a fertile ground and help adults realise the potential in the children. When Adults create a climate in which the children discover their own strengths, it can inspire children to translate their dreams into reality.</p>
<p>“<em>Our belief in them can sustain them through self-doubt</em>,” Observes Dr. Kenneth Ginsburg, a developmental psychologist. He says that <strong>parents should be like lighthouses</strong> visible from the shoreline as a stable light but make sure their children don't crash against the rocks, yet allow them to ride the waves even if they get a little choppy sometimes." <a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10474313100?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10474313100?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-right" width="207" height="224"/></a>Shannon from Faith Foundation shared her powerful dream, "<em>my dream is that children in the community realize their dream</em>" </p>
<p>Isn’t it the time we adults in communities, NGOs, government, funding agencies rethink our role in the world. Have we challenged the children to dream big or asked them to follow the path we think is ‘good’ for them?</p>
<p>“<em>When my students share their hopes and dreams with me, it makes me realise just how much of a responsibility we have as educators to empower them and encourage them</em>.”</p>
<p>— Justin Leow<a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10474314455?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10474314455?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a></p>
<p> Photos courtesy: Dheeraj, Imran, Shannon</p>Shared organisation dream- a driving force for the stafftag:aidscompetence.ning.com,2022-03-18:2028109:BlogPost:2037582022-03-18T19:00:00.000ZRituu B. Nandahttps://aidscompetence.ning.com/profile/RituuBNanda94
<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">In my role at Global Fund for Children, I am fortunate to work with NGO Avani. I facilitated Community life competence process (CLCP) at organizational level with some members of Avani team- deeply listening to them and learning about their individual and organizational strengths and gifts they have. When I facilitated a common dream with them, the dream was in the form of text, drawing and song. …</span></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">In my role at Global Fund for Children, I am fortunate to work with NGO Avani. I facilitated Community life competence process (CLCP) at organizational level with some members of Avani team- deeply listening to them and learning about their individual and organizational strengths and gifts they have. When I facilitated a common dream with them, the dream was in the form of text, drawing and song. <span><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10219914297?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10219914297?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="319" height="219" class="align-right"/></a></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Team reflections after the dream building process. </span></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">We as individuals had a dream for Avani but we had not shared it with anyone</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">We felt proud sharing our dream, it motivates us that someone is asking about our dream; there is a lot of talent within us, and we are always working towards our dream. But we forget our dream; “<em>if our work and our personal dream match, then it is a win-win situation</em>."</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">We were surprised to discover similar dreams; We learned new points from dreams of others <em>खूप</em> <em>छान</em><em>,</em><em>मी</em> <em>खूप</em> <em>काही</em> <em>शिकलो</em> <em>आणि</em> <em>सर्वांचे</em> <em>विचार</em> <em>समजून</em> <em>घेतले</em>- Abhijeet <span><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10219911490?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10219911490?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="273" height="367" class="align-right"/></a></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">When you share your dream, it deeply connects you to yourself. <em>it has motivated me to work towards it. Responsibility has increased as I have shared with others. </em></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">We felt proud of others, I will help them in fulfilling their dream</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Importance of teamwork, we should not wait 10 years to fulfill our dream, we have to work hard; have got new energy</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em>when I heard about our dream, I felt we have to achieve it as early as possible</em>- Puja</span></li>
</ul>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Imran, one of the staff members, puts it very eloquently, “<em>everyone joins an organisation with a dream to achieve something. Generally, no one asks the staff what is their dream. So when you asked this question, it forced me to think about my own dream. Collective dream building enabled me to align my dream with other staff. Now feel that I am working towards a personal as well as organizational dream.”</em></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Dt_KZEj05tk?wmode=opaque" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>
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<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Shared dream fuels ownership towards the organisation & enhances performance</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">My takeaway is that sometimes the mission and vision can remain limited to the founder or senior management. They want it to transfer to the team in a way that instills a sense of ownership. As seen from Avani staff responses, developing a common dream gives a sense of direction for the staff who feel their contribution matters in the overall vision of the organisation. It binds the team, motivates them to collaborate and accomplish the dream they have set for themselves. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">H Sippy says, “<em>Once the vision is conceived by the leadership, it has to be communicated to each one in the organization. Mere communication to create awareness is insufficient, it is imperative that the vision is cast in such a way that people take ownership of the vision.” He further adds, “ It helps you channelize energies. It determines the destiny</em>.” <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/tema-emerging-power-vision-haresh-k-sippy-1d/">https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/tema-emerging-power-vision-haresh-k-sippy-1d/</a></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">CLCP is one of the powerful ways to create ownership of shared dream based on the strengths of the staff. Self-assessment of the dream guides the action plan, which then is even more inspiring.</span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">(Grateful to Avani team for helping me get clarity and learn from their insights; Photo of the text dream Vanita Kamble and video by Koushalya)</span></p>Villagers keep their village clean and safetag:aidscompetence.ning.com,2022-01-07:2028109:BlogPost:2034932022-01-07T10:30:00.000ZRituu B. Nandahttps://aidscompetence.ning.com/profile/RituuBNanda94
<div>A sunny, winter morning in Dec 2021... a tiny, remote village which I visited with the Faith Foundation team. <span>Umsawriang Village</span> is inhabited primarily by <span>Khasis, an indigenous community, in Ri Bhoi District, rural</span><span> Meghalaya (India)</span><span>. </span><span><br></br></span></div>
<div><span><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/9988598854?profile=original" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><img class="align-center" height="419" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/9988598854?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="558"></img></a></span></div>
<div><span>We met the…</span></div>
<div>A sunny, winter morning in Dec 2021... a tiny, remote village which I visited with the Faith Foundation team. <span>Umsawriang Village</span> is inhabited primarily by <span>Khasis, an indigenous community, in Ri Bhoi District, rural</span><span> Meghalaya (India)</span><span>. </span><span><br/></span></div>
<div><span><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/9988598854?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/9988598854?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="558" height="419" class="align-center"/></a></span></div>
<div><span>We met the assistant headman of the village. He shared that most people in the village</span> <span>practise a traditional lifestyle, relying for the most part on subsistence agriculture and forest resources. What do you do well in agriculture, we enquired. Ginger cultivation- he responded with a smile. </span>Farmers are interested in cultivating ginger as soil and climate favour the growth and development of ginger crop.</div>
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<div><em>But what is a source</em><span><em> of pride in the village is how clean we ar</em>e, he observed with a twinkle in his eye. He ad</span>mits that it is the women in the village who initially took a lead in <strong>cleanliness of the village</strong>. The village roads and streets, the school playground, every nook and corner are cle<span>an</span><span> and well - tended. </span><span>Once a month youth, women and the men come together to sweep the streets and clean the village. Twice a year in April and October there is a thorough cleaning to keep the village spick and span. The community members have also undertaken planting of trees. </span></div>
<div><span><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/9988602859?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/9988602859?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a></span></div>
<div><span> </span></div>
<div><span>This is not all, the villagers and the local government, Dorbar Shnong, <strong>are concerned about safety</strong> of people in the village. They do not allow parking of external vehicles in the village after 10 pm. Men and women undertake night patrolling to ensure everyone has a peaceful night's sleep in the community.</span></div>
<div><strong>What is your hope?</strong></div>
<div><span>He said that his hope is in the youth in the village. He was very appreciative of the young people. Youth support the community in many ways, he observed. If someone has passed away they come forward to support the family, they hold periodic activities with smaller children and also organise sport events.</span></div>
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<div><strong>What was my takeaway? </strong></div>
<div><span> I read somewhere, "<em>Alone we can do so little; Together, we can do so much</em>."<em> </em></span></div>
<div><span>If we apply this to our work in the development sector, the role of community cannot be dismissed. Those who are affected by the issue have to lead the response, and outsiders can support them but not lead them. Umsawriang</span><em> </em>village is a testimony that when people in a community come together to solve an issue, the results are not only positive but also long-lasting. I have no doubt that if nudged gently and very active youth, this village can create even more wonders!</div>
<div><span><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/9988603074?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/9988603074?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a></span></div>
<div><span> </span></div>Fr Joe: there will never be another like youtag:aidscompetence.ning.com,2021-12-23:2028109:BlogPost:2032552021-12-23T13:00:00.000ZRituu B. Nandahttps://aidscompetence.ning.com/profile/RituuBNanda94
<div><font face="tahoma, sans-serif"><span>Kumta, a remote place in Karnataka... my first exposure to SALT during a learning event. There were a few sessions where the facilitator asked us to sit together as staff from organizations. As I had come alone, facilitator suggested I sit with Fr Joe who was the lone one from his organization People in Need Foundation. He was my dad's generation but was soon to become my teammate and guide in the SALT journey. </span><span>As our lives intersected…</span></font></div>
<div><font face="tahoma, sans-serif"><span>Kumta, a remote place in Karnataka... my first exposure to SALT during a learning event. There were a few sessions where the facilitator asked us to sit together as staff from organizations. As I had come alone, facilitator suggested I sit with Fr Joe who was the lone one from his organization People in Need Foundation. He was my dad's generation but was soon to become my teammate and guide in the SALT journey. </span><span>As our lives intersected for over a decade, some tales to</span><span> </span>recount...though writing about Fr Joe is <span>heart-wrenching, he deserves a befitting farewell. </span></font><font face="tahoma, sans-serif"><font color="#000000">His profile </font></font></div>
<div><a href="https://aidscompetence.ning.com/profile/JoeNgamkhuchung"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif">https://aidscompetence.ning.com/profile/JoeNgamkhuchung</font></a></div>
<div><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/9939347674?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/9939347674?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></font></a></div>
<div><font face="tahoma, sans-serif"> </font></div>
<div><strong><font face="tahoma, sans-serif">The SALT memories</font></strong></div>
<div><font face="tahoma, sans-serif">As a SALT facilitator some of the remarkable things which he did </font></div>
<ul>
<li><font face="tahoma, sans-serif">He truly <strong>believed in the capacity of the community</strong> and led the way for SALT in Nagaland, northeastern part of India. This is a blog by him. <a href="https://aidscompetence.ning.com/profiles/blogs/nagaland-goes-the-acp-way" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://aidscompetence.ning.com/profiles/blogs/nagaland-goes-the-acp-way</a></font></li>
<li><font face="tahoma, sans-serif">It was in one of his communities I learned the <strong>importance of dream building</strong> in CLCP</font></li>
<li><font face="tahoma, sans-serif">He arranged for us to stay in the village and facilitate <strong>Participatory Action research</strong> with communities <a href="https://aidscompetence.ning.com/photo/album/show?id=2028109%3AAlbum%3A35388">https://aidscompetence.ning.com/photo/album/show?id=2028109%3AAlbum%3A35388</a></font></li>
<li><font face="tahoma, sans-serif"><strong>Ability to transfer SALT</strong> - Through his work, I saw one village transfer SALT to 8 more villages. </font><font face="tahoma, sans-serif">He learned from Kenyan team and implemented with truck drivers <a href="https://aidscompetence.ning.com/profiles/blogs/salt-visit-with-truckers">https://aidscompetence.ning.com/profiles/blogs/salt-visit-with-truckers</a></font><font face="tahoma, sans-serif">He used SALT with parents of differently abled children</font></li>
<li><font face="tahoma, sans-serif"><strong>The knowledge fair</strong> was organized by the village to whom the SALT had been transferred which was remarkable <a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/9939345876?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/9939345876?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a></font></li>
<li><font face="tahoma, sans-serif">He facilitated community demand for HIV testing and government official offered a space where the mobile testing team would station in the village for testing <a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/9939352661?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/9939352661?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full" width="814" height="611"/></a></font></li>
<li><font face="tahoma, sans-serif">We tried to set up SALT facilitation in team in the NE</font> <a href="https://aidscompetence.ning.com/profiles/blogs/north-east-facilitation-team"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif">https://aidscompetence.ning.com/profiles/blogs/north-east-facilitation-team</font></a></li>
<li><font face="tahoma, sans-serif">The last we met was in 2017 when he invited Jean Louis and me to facilitate SALT learning event and who could refuse Fr Joe's invitation!</font><font face="tahoma, sans-serif"><br/></font></li>
</ul>
<div><strong><font face="tahoma, sans-serif">The sweet memories</font></strong></div>
<div><font face="tahoma, sans-serif">Not only he had a vital role in shaping my SALT journey but some memories which I cannot help but share:</font></div>
<ol>
<li><font face="tahoma, sans-serif">Once I remember he had arranged sweet, juicy famous Nagaland pineapples for us. I loved them and thanked Fr Joe. He had some packed for me to take home:-)</font></li>
<li><font face="tahoma, sans-serif">I had the privilege to meet his wonderful family and enjoyed the most delicious meals by his very lovely wife, Ma'am Alice </font></li>
<li><font face="tahoma, sans-serif">Through him I met and reconnected with some very nice people Adrian, Ankita, Jahanbi, Dr Antoly, Jacinta, Bazo, Jenpui, Maii, Joma, Sana, Bijoya, and many others. </font></li>
</ol>
<div><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" color="#000000"> </font></div>
<div><strong><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" color="#000000">Lockdown memories</font></strong></div>
<div><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" color="#000000">I called him every year to wish him on his birthday in July. This year I was not well and did not wish him...regret it. I could have heard his voice one more time. </font></div>
<div><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" color="#000000">In Sep'21 he invited me to contribute to a chapter on SALT for the book he was writing about his journey</font></div>
<div><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" color="#000000">An avid reader, the last photo he shared with me was " My friends during lockdown' <br/></font></div>
<div><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/9939395872?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" color="#000000"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/9939395872?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></font></a></div>
<div><strong><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" color="#000000">Bye Fr Joe!</font></strong></div>
<div><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" color="#000000">Fr Joe was kind, caring, thoughtful and hardworking member of our India salt facilitation team. He brought people together, cultivated relationships and thus sowed the seeds for numerous productive connections. There are no words enough to thank you, Fr Joe-the storyteller. We were to do many more SALT visits...</font></div>We uplift each other: Self-help groups teach us 'no one left behind'tag:aidscompetence.ning.com,2021-12-07:2028109:BlogPost:2035392021-12-07T19:00:00.000ZRituu B. Nandahttps://aidscompetence.ning.com/profile/RituuBNanda94
<div>SDGs have this clarion call - 'no one left behind' and so far what I have seen is that it has been limited to NGOs or organisations or local government structures which are expected to leave no one behind.</div>
<div><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/9889537886?profile=original" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><img class="align-full" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/9889537886?profile=RESIZE_710x"></img></a></div>
<div>Meeting with Self-help group (SHG) members from four villages in Ribhoi district of Meghalya gave me powerful insights. On…</div>
<div>SDGs have this clarion call - 'no one left behind' and so far what I have seen is that it has been limited to NGOs or organisations or local government structures which are expected to leave no one behind.</div>
<div><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/9889537886?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/9889537886?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a></div>
<div>Meeting with Self-help group (SHG) members from four villages in Ribhoi district of Meghalya gave me powerful insights. On 2nd Dec'21 afternoon, we sat in the community hall with Faith Foundation team in village Umsawriang, where 10 women came to meet us. They are farmers by profession but are also members of Self-help groups. Village Umkiteh has 24 SHGs, Village Syllei-U-Lar has 8 SHGs and Village Umsawriang has 8 SHGs and Village Nongrah has 25 SHGs.</div>
<div><strong>Four things that struck me:</strong></div>
<div>1) Umkiteh has 224 households and 24 SHGs have ensured that a woman from each household is member of an SHG. SHG is a source of financial security, knowledge, and connections and so through the above effort no household is missing from the SHGs.</div>
<div>2)The solidarity amongst the SHG groups is remarkable. Instead of competing, the SHGs have taken the approach to cooperate and effort is made to support any SHG which is lagging behind. "<em>As women, we uplift each other</em>". </div>
<div>3) The grit, determination and care in these women for development of their communities is an example for other communities. They have taken the responsibility to identify children in the community who need support and link them to the block development officer. They encourage youth in the village to mentor children and hold sessions and sport activities with them on Sundays.</div>
<div>4) Harnessing the social capital of SHGs can contribute to change in the communities.</div>
<div><strong>Takeaway</strong>-Change occurs at the community level. Institutions cannot bring about progress on their own. The above example underlines the crucial role communities themselves can play in identifying and reaching out to left behind population groups differentiated by gender, ethnicity, location etc.</div>
<div>Therefore, it is important that the communities realize this and act on it for a larger change. The women farmers and members of these SHGs show us the way!</div>
<div><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/9889538089?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/9889538089?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a></div>
<div>First photo courtesy: Ornella, Faith Foundation</div>Sew We Cantag:aidscompetence.ning.com,2021-10-04:2028109:BlogPost:2019702021-10-04T13:26:16.000ZRituu B. Nandahttps://aidscompetence.ning.com/profile/RituuBNanda94
<p><span>At the marketplace in the Global Learning Fest</span>, Beyond Social Services shared about their 'Sew We Can' initiative. This is an example of <span>CLCP and SALT in Singapore.</span></p>
<p><strong>Challenge due to the lockdown during the pandemic</strong></p>
<p>Before the pandemic, Beyond had been supporting a group of women to earn through baking products. As women lost their livelihood after the pandemic, '<span>Sew can we' initiative was born and example of adapting…</span></p>
<p><span>At the marketplace in the Global Learning Fest</span>, Beyond Social Services shared about their 'Sew We Can' initiative. This is an example of <span>CLCP and SALT in Singapore.</span></p>
<p><strong>Challenge due to the lockdown during the pandemic</strong></p>
<p>Before the pandemic, Beyond had been supporting a group of women to earn through baking products. As women lost their livelihood after the pandemic, '<span>Sew can we' initiative was born and example of adapting to </span><span> COVID crisis to sustainable format -not waiting for the government handouts. </span>Non-Singaporean citizens are not able to access jobs they are on a long-term pass, and it is very difficult to find jobs. This helps them to get additional income through home-based work. The logo of the initiative was designed by the Women. “They are not weak, they are very strong. They are aware of their worth, and willing to work for it” - from Swathi, Beyond Social Services. Women are taking ownership and now want to organize themselves into a cooperative. "A strong bond emerged between the women who provided emotional support to each other", Irfah, Beyond Social Services. Family support is extremely important as it is home-based work- Joanne Yau, Beyond Social Services. Professionals trained the women. Beyond team also provided laptops to the children for online studying and food support so that mothers did not have to cook food. </p>
<p><strong>Challenges</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>the project had its ups and downs, turns and twists. Language is a challenge as women are from multiple nationalities, which posed difficulties in communication. English was not easy for them.</li>
<li>Some women were more skilled in sewing and better skilled, so they had to spend time transfer skills to other women not as experienced in sewing</li>
<li>What mothers think is the fair wage for them</li>
<li>There were a lot of drop-outs but those passionate continued and the group emerged organically</li>
</ul>
<div><strong>Takeaways </strong></div>
<div><ul>
<li>Transfer of skills and knowledge within the women's group and enhancing each other's skills. In a very competitive environment in which professionals do not share 'trade secrets', here we find<span> </span>social capital augmented economic empowerment. </li>
<li>Tried to reinvent from bakery before COVID and took to sewing." Great re-inventors ! Grab opportunity with both hands and build from that" mentioned Jan from Belgium. Both the women and Beyond staff turned the pandemic challenge into an opportunity. "Power of mothers...adapted to the challenge" remarked Wiwin</li>
<li>Beyond has another project where women can cook and who provide culturally appropriate food to older people, larger families and those under quarantine. Beyond team encouraged the food project to 'Sew we can' project. Linking different projects appreciated Nabaraj.</li>
<li>Different stakeholders have different roles in communities. Professionals were training, Beyond team was facilitating by fostering ownership and appreciating and listening to the communities. We cannot ignore the role of external stakeholders, but communities have to own the initiative.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/9641329660?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/9641329660?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a></p>
</div>20,000 'red' bricks in one monthtag:aidscompetence.ning.com,2021-10-02:2028109:BlogPost:2019602021-10-02T15:00:00.000ZRituu B. Nandahttps://aidscompetence.ning.com/profile/RituuBNanda94
<p>During the Global Learning Festival- day two i.e. 2nd Oct, we went live with a youth group in Eastern Kenya- Aun, Autry, Bhakynti, Bono, Joseph, Ornella, Sylvereen, Wiwin, Widah and Rituu</p>
<p><strong>How the group was set up</strong></p>
<p>The local church and SALT facilitators encouraged setting up of a village youth group. This consists of young boys and girls and also some children.What motivates them is the needs of the community. For instance during the COVID-19 pandemic they…</p>
<p>During the Global Learning Festival- day two i.e. 2nd Oct, we went live with a youth group in Eastern Kenya- Aun, Autry, Bhakynti, Bono, Joseph, Ornella, Sylvereen, Wiwin, Widah and Rituu</p>
<p><strong>How the group was set up</strong></p>
<p>The local church and SALT facilitators encouraged setting up of a village youth group. This consists of young boys and girls and also some children.What motivates them is the needs of the community. For instance during the COVID-19 pandemic they started SALT visits to homes of older women to support them.</p>
<p><strong>Community needs bricks! </strong>They felt that the community required bricks. So they suggested to the older people that the youth will make bricks which will also get them some income and they will not waste their time idling around. Where did you learn how to make bricks we asked them. We learned from our parents and also from the internet. They have acquired the skill of making bricks. They gave us tips on making bricks. Dig the soil, make bricks, dry them and then bake them.Baking is what gives the nice red colour to the bricks explained the youth leader, Florence. </p>
<p>Youth got together and made bricks- It was hard physical labour so boys focused on making bricks while the girls cooked for them. We learned how to make chapatis said Florence. And voila in a month they made 20,000 bricks! </p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/9636497664?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/9636497664?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a></p>
<p><strong>What will they do with the bricks? </strong>The bricks will be used for construction of toilets in the community, building the compound wall in the village and so on.</p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>My takeaways</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>This is a youth-determined solution and not decided by the organisation. So the youth own it and are so proud of their work</li>
<li>They are learning by doing</li>
<li>They use online resources meaningfully</li>
<li>They are not self-centred, they care for their community</li>
<li>They link the older people and the children</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/9636502099?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/9636502099?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a></p>Thai community response to COVID-19 ensured that no is one left behindtag:aidscompetence.ning.com,2021-10-01:2028109:BlogPost:2019412021-10-01T20:30:00.000ZRituu B. Nandahttps://aidscompetence.ning.com/profile/RituuBNanda94
<p>We met on Zoom during the Global learning Festival on 1st Oct'21 and watched the video of Thai community response to COVID-19- Loli, Rafique, Swathi, Usman, Widad,and Rituu. </p>
<p><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/438814387?h=b55180bf46" width="640"></iframe>
</p>
<p><a href="https://vimeo.com/438814387">Experience_EN</a> from <a href="https://vimeo.com/asyouopenyoureyes">As You Open Your Eyes</a> on…</p>
<p>We met on Zoom during the Global learning Festival on 1st Oct'21 and watched the video of Thai community response to COVID-19- Loli, Rafique, Swathi, Usman, Widad,and Rituu. </p>
<p><iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/438814387?h=b55180bf46" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>
</p>
<p><a href="https://vimeo.com/438814387">Experience_EN</a> from <a href="https://vimeo.com/asyouopenyoureyes">As You Open Your Eyes</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p>
<p><strong>Crucial takeaways:</strong></p>
<p>When communities respond to one issue, they develop the confidence and capacity to respond to other issues they face. The Thai Community mentioned in the video learned from their past HIV response and applied the experience to COVID challenge.</p>
<p>2) Not waiting for external help, volunteers and various constituents in the community came together. They realized their responsibility and got together to take actions like raise awareness, home visits and support to patients. "With Covid we have discovered our vulnerability but our strengths" observed Loli</p>
<p>3) The film brought out the importance of volunteers. When there is a crisis, hospitals are overwhelmed, then people can take on responsibility.</p>
<p>4) While the institutions can provide resources, it is the people who have to adapt or change their behaviour. The young boy in the community took safety measures as he had grandmother at home. </p>
<p>3) Importance of using digital messaging which is quick but content is equally important. Participants felt that in their respective countries often messages were confusing whether to use mask or not, what kind of masks etc. In case of the Thai community rather than creating fear, the messages focused on protect your loved ones as close family ties encourage people from within to take responsible measures, said Swathi.</p>
<p>4) The community focused its care on those who are more at risk those who are immobile, and older people</p>
<p>5) Through the pandemic, we realized that we need each other. We need to take care of our neighbours. What can we do for them? COVID reminded that we have to live together</p>
<p>5) Participants <span>expressed their concern over the effects on one's mental health due to Lockdowns, loss of loved ones, fear and loss of income.</span><br/> <br/>
6) "In India ,now we say control non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in older people, that can in turn protect them from Covid”, remarked Rafique.</p>
<div>7) A document review showed that we human beings and institutions did not learn from past crisis and epidemics that communities have a crucial role. Unfortunately, for COVID-19 the narrative was centred around institutionalized top to down response.</div>
<div>An interesting book to read: <em>Ebola: How A People’s Science Helped End an Epidemic</em>. Paul Richards</div>I trust youtag:aidscompetence.ning.com,2021-05-16:2028109:BlogPost:2006782021-05-16T17:30:00.000ZRituu B. Nandahttps://aidscompetence.ning.com/profile/RituuBNanda94
<p><strong>In Jan-Feb'21</strong>- Ramaiah International Centre for Public Health Innovations (RICPHI) evaluation for our project was out and Constellation team was planning a webinar on the project. The HealthRise Transition grant funded by Medtronic Foundation and implemented jointly by MAMTA- Health Institute for Mother and Child, Catholic Health Association of India (CHAI), in which the Constellation, worked toward reducing premature mortality associated with NCDs through SALT and Community…</p>
<p><strong>In Jan-Feb'21</strong>- Ramaiah International Centre for Public Health Innovations (RICPHI) evaluation for our project was out and Constellation team was planning a webinar on the project. The HealthRise Transition grant funded by Medtronic Foundation and implemented jointly by MAMTA- Health Institute for Mother and Child, Catholic Health Association of India (CHAI), in which the Constellation, worked toward reducing premature mortality associated with NCDs through SALT and Community life competence approach.</p>
<p>For the webinar, Constellation team suggested April but out of the blue I said April is too late and lets do it in March. I was surprised why I had said this, there was no reason. In hindsight, in April we were to lose a precious team mate from Mamta, <b><span lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">Vinayakan. E.K </span></b><span> <i>Deputy Director – Chronic Diseases</i></span></p>
<p><strong>April end</strong> Devastating news of his sudden passing away has left me deeply disturbed. We had many conversations during the course of the project. The last whatsapp communication I had where he said that Mamta and Constellation had to work together in the future not only on NCDs but also adolescent health. But it was not to be...</p>
<p><strong>Three things stand out about Mr Vinayakan</strong></p>
<ol>
<li><span>Gentle, kind, encouraging- these elements in his interactions inspired us to give our best. What a fine human being!</span></li>
<li>The belief he had in his Mamta team was immense- Ask Dr Gaurav or Dr Harsha they know what is needed as they are closer to the ground this was his way to work- decentralised style of functioning.</li>
<li>His nuanced understanding of public health issues in India,<span> Nigeria, Tanzania, Cameroon and Senegal</span>. It is a blow to the Constellation as we have lost a champion Mr Vinayakan who believed in the power of communities and was deeply committed to bring about a change.</li>
</ol>
<p><strong>In a nutshell, <em>I trust you</em> - this was his attitude</strong></p>
<p><span>On March 25, 2021 Constellation organised a webinar on Patient & people led-approach to diabetes & hypertension which I had the honour to facilitate and <strong>where Mr Vinayakan presented.</strong> You can hear this great man and enjoy how articulate and clear he was. I am so glad that he spoke two times:</span></p>
<ol>
<li>Why SALT approach was used in the project- <span> </span>4 mins:52-seconds to 8 mins:14 seconds</li>
<li>Two results he saw- 56 mins:58 seconds -59 minutes:13 seconds</li>
</ol>
<p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Y8xmZkI7Ya8?wmode=opaque" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>
</p>Everyone has worthtag:aidscompetence.ning.com,2021-05-13:2028109:BlogPost:2007372021-05-13T09:30:00.000ZRituu B. Nandahttps://aidscompetence.ning.com/profile/RituuBNanda94
<p><span>I am very upset that I am writing this as I have suffered a major loss with passing away of Dr Jana,</span><span> one of my mentors.</span></p>
<p><span>When at UNAIDS, I had exchanged emails with him. I left UNAIDS. First of my assignments happen to be the IDRC project on documentation and advocacy by sex workers with Dr Veronica Magar. This 2 year project was with DMSC and WNU when I got to collaborate with DMSC team of Paramita, Santanu, Mitra di, Samaita and others. I went on to…</span></p>
<p><span>I am very upset that I am writing this as I have suffered a major loss with passing away of Dr Jana,</span><span> one of my mentors.</span></p>
<p><span>When at UNAIDS, I had exchanged emails with him. I left UNAIDS. First of my assignments happen to be the IDRC project on documentation and advocacy by sex workers with Dr Veronica Magar. This 2 year project was with DMSC and WNU when I got to collaborate with DMSC team of Paramita, Santanu, Mitra di, Samaita and others. I went on to work with him in many other initiatives later.</span></p>
<p><span><strong>I recollect one memory which stands out for me when I met him as a young researcher. </strong></span><span>On my first visit to Durbar about 10 years ago, I finally met Dr Jana whom everyone spoke about. He was very down to earth, gentle and his learning came from sex worker communities.</span></p>
<p><span>He asked me with a twinkle in his eye, "<em>what would you like out of this project?</em>" I responded that I would like the sex workers to be the lead in the research because they are the experts of their experience. He smiled and said, "<em>now I can welcome you to Durbar because sex workers have to be at the centre. <strong>Everyone has worth.</strong>" </em></span></p>
<p><span>For the first time I went on to use Constellation's learning cycle Community life competence process in participatory action research part of IDRC project. It set the stage for what I was do in my life- how can I learn from the communities and not be their 'teacher'.</span></p>
<p>I can no longer pick up the phone and call him up, to hear his voice and learn from his insight. I will miss him tremendously.</p>
<p></p>
<p>(<span>Durbar Mahila Samanwaya Committee (DMSC) in Kolkata, India largest sex worker collecive in Asia lost its Chief Advisor Dr. Smarajit </span><span class="il">Jana</span><span> on 8</span><sup>th</sup><span> of May 2021. He has well known for public health initiatives and facilitated sex workers community fighting for worker's rights and recognisation.)</span></p>
<p><span><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/8924741867?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/8924741867?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a></span></p>The answer is not out 'there' - its about metag:aidscompetence.ning.com,2021-01-24:2028109:BlogPost:1976892021-01-24T16:30:00.000ZRituu B. Nandahttps://aidscompetence.ning.com/profile/RituuBNanda94
<p><em>My SALT journey- part one</em><strong> </strong>I will share one of the reasons which made it my path...there are many paths but I chose this.</p>
<p><strong>Communities and institutions hand-in-hand</strong></p>
<div class="gmail_default">Both institutions and communities have a role to play in development and progress. Institutions like government, NGOs, research organisations etc can provide information, facilities, awareness etc. Communities decide what is their issue, what can they…</div>
<p><em>My SALT journey- part one</em><strong> </strong>I will share one of the reasons which made it my path...there are many paths but I chose this.</p>
<p><strong>Communities and institutions hand-in-hand</strong></p>
<div class="gmail_default">Both institutions and communities have a role to play in development and progress. Institutions like government, NGOs, research organisations etc can provide information, facilities, awareness etc. Communities decide what is their issue, what can they do themselves and where they need external help.Communities can address some challenges on their own and for others they need </div>
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<div class="gmail_default">However in the course of time the role of communities has got sidelined and they have become passive recipients of what institutions decide is 'good' for them. This has developed dependency of communities and citizens on external support for their challenges.</div>
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<div class="gmail_default">Once I realised the <strong>key roles communities play in development</strong>, I was in look out for what made communities take charge of their situation. I got trained in many approaches, studied and documented and somewhere SALT seemed to have felt right to me. There are many paths but this was my path. </div>
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<div class="gmail_default">SALT and Community life competence process (CLCP) are woven around the idea that '<em>we do not change people, people change themselves</em>" So we were not going to empower the communities or change their behaviour. But it is us outsiders who need to change- from experts to human beings and facilitators. Our way of working is SALT and way of thinking is that '<em>we are human</em>'. Once we change, people around us will be stimulated to change.</div>
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<div class="gmail_default"><strong>So SALT was not out there about someone else, it was about me</strong>. <strong>I had to change.</strong> I had to start working to shift my practices from judgemental to non-judgemental outlook. "<em>judging separates us, understanding makes us grow</em>". From finding weaknesses to looking for strengths but most importantly letting go.</div>
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<div class="gmail_default"><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/8473557459?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/8473557459?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a></div>
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<div class="gmail_default"><strong>What does it mean for our work with communities?</strong></div>
<div class="gmail_default">So when I started facilitating CLCP the focus was on the mindset of NGO staff working with communities, how could staff practise SALT.</div>
<div class="gmail_default">SALT way of thinking is <strong>unlearning</strong> for the field staff who have been service and solution providers. This move to listen and learn from communities is hard.</div>
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<div class="gmail_default">To conclude, <strong>its not about 'empowering someone'</strong> its about creating the space where people realise the potential which exists within them. Everyone has something special, we just need to help others discover their inner strengths.</div>
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<div class="gmail_default"><p>(I am getting clarity on my SALT journey thanks to a group of absolutely wonderful people Kausar Apa and I have been facilitating. Alexander Wofa, Ame, Moiz, Munazza, Neeta, Yamini+ those who joined us briefly Jean Louis Lamboray, MariJo, Laura Simms and Phil)</p>
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</div>From 'power' to 'trust' in philanthropic grantmakingtag:aidscompetence.ning.com,2020-08-20:2028109:BlogPost:1827212020-08-20T14:30:00.000ZRituu B. Nandahttps://aidscompetence.ning.com/profile/RituuBNanda94
<p>A growing trend and a positive one is to decentralise grantmaking, moving to participatory and flexible funding based on principles of trust. I found it very encouraging and want to share with members of this platform. These are my takeaways from LLC Webinar -Lessons in Leadership from the Trust-Based Philanthropy Project…</p>
<p>A growing trend and a positive one is to decentralise grantmaking, moving to participatory and flexible funding based on principles of trust. I found it very encouraging and want to share with members of this platform. These are my takeaways from LLC Webinar -Lessons in Leadership from the Trust-Based Philanthropy Project <a href="http://leadershiplearning.org/blog/llc-staff/2020-02-12/llc-webinar-series-lessons-leadership-trust-based-philanthropy-project">http://leadershiplearning.org/blog/llc-staff/2020-02-12/llc-webinar-series-lessons-leadership-trust-based-philanthropy-project</a>)</p>
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<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/7541063295?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/7541063295?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full" width="353" height="138"/></a></p>
<p>What stood out for me in the webinar on Trust based philanthropy: The need to <strong>re-examine own roles</strong> as Grantmakers question own privileged position of power. Who holds the power? Read the principles of trust-based philanthropy here <a href="https://trustbasedphilanthropy.org/principles-1">https://trustbasedphilanthropy.org/principles-1</a></p>
<p><strong>Collaborative leadership</strong>- Participants from Grant making organisations saw themselves as conveners, relationship-based, transparent, responsive with emphasis on promoting cross-sector peer learning amongst grantees. They stressed on structured conversations with grantee partners rather than overemphasis on formal reports. Support beyond the cheque for instance opening doors to other funders when new opportunities arise for grantees.</p>
<p><strong>Power of Listening-</strong> Create a space for listening. act on what you are hearing</p>
<p><strong>Humility and learning mindset</strong>-Work with humility, have a learning mindset, understand that grant making organisations and the grantees both are on a learning journey as we operate in complex settings and are navigating a path which is not well chartered. </p>
<p><strong>What does annual monitoring and assessment in the grantmaking look like from a trust-based lens? </strong>It is important to surface the philosophy behind Metric based assessment , grant making organisations want to make a difference. </p>
<p>Kelly Ann McKercher’s<span> </span><em>Beyond Sticky Notes: Co-Design for Real</em>.</p>
<p><em>“When differences in power are unacknowledged and unaddressed, the people with the most power have the most influence over decisions, regardless of the quality of their knowledge or ideas. To change that, we must share power in research, decision-making, design, delivery and evaluation.”</em></p>
<p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B1XGkF_nEok&t=3s">Katy Grenier</a><span> shares her personal story about the iniquitous systems that live within us all, the impacts on an individual when power goes unacknowledged in program design, delivery and evaluation, and radical responsibility for systems change.</span></p>
<p>We can promote thinking around the following: </p>
<ul>
<li>What success looks to the grantees? how do you measure them?</li>
<li>What gets measured gets done</li>
<li>Create spaces that grantees are able to talk about failures, capturing data on challenges, how are you adapting and learning from the experience?</li>
<li>Support systems which give full and real picture in lives of people so that foundations can support the work better.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Sustainability </strong>Another important question was around sustainability. How will the organization pay for this "thing" after the foundation is finished funding it. But we did not have enough time for discussion.</p>
<p>W<strong>hat fosters trust</strong>? Participants shared that when we show our real selves, our vulnerability- it builds trust. Building trust starts with being vulnerable -- and modelling it.. In my work with the Constellation, I learned that when we start from appreciation, when we appreciate the strengths in others, this means we trust their capacity. And when this conversation happens at a human level, moving away from titles and hierarchies, it builds a deep connection. And then there is a shift in relations.</p>
<p> I<strong>ssues I would like more conversation in the future</strong> - measurement, sustainability in grant making and going beyond grantees to communities we serve. Are the grantees shifting the power to the communities they serve? I conclude with a quote from <em>Brené Brown</em> . “<em><strong>Trust</strong></em> is a product of vulnerability that grows over time and requires work, attention, and full engagement.” -</p>
<p><strong>Some resources</strong></p>
<ol>
<li>Funding from a place of trust <a href="https://www.synergos.org/experiences/2020/funding-from-place-of-trust-launch">https://www.synergos.org/experiences/2020/funding-from-place-of-trust-launch</a></li>
<li>Tool for assessment <strong>CHAT (Check-in Analysis Tool)</strong>, which replaces site visits and written grantee reporting as an annual conversation between foundation staff and grantees. The CHAT lets us hear about what our grantees are doing, how they’re using our funding, and what impact our funding is having on their organizations. The CHAT also directly assesses the trust we build with grantees. Find here <a href="https://www.rsclark.org/evaluate"></a><a href="https://www.rsclark.org/evaluate">https://www.rsclark.org/evaluate </a></li>
<li>Research by IFRC in partnership with CDA Collaborative Learning (CDA) which outlines a number of key factors that support greater accountability and therefore trust. <a href="https://www.alnap.org/help-library/all-the-evidence-we-need-research-to-support-the-operationalization-of-the-red-cross">https://www.alnap.org/help-library/all-the-evidence-we-need-research-to-support-the-operationalization-of-the-red-cross</a> </li>
</ol>
<p> </p>How the bees listentag:aidscompetence.ning.com,2020-06-24:2028109:BlogPost:1820522020-06-24T19:00:00.000ZRituu B. Nandahttps://aidscompetence.ning.com/profile/RituuBNanda94
<p>Laura Simms had joined us for a Knowledge Fair in Assam where we brought the communities together to share and exchange. So when there was a presentation organised by Taos Institute on the Assam project and Knowledge Fair, Laura joined us. Here are our thoughts on the presentation sent to me by email. The title of the blog is from Laura. …</p>
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<p>Laura Simms had joined us for a Knowledge Fair in Assam where we brought the communities together to share and exchange. So when there was a presentation organised by Taos Institute on the Assam project and Knowledge Fair, Laura joined us. Here are our thoughts on the presentation sent to me by email. The title of the blog is from Laura. </p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/6281719283?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/6281719283?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a></p>
<div>Thank you so much for inviting me to be part of this conversation today. how SALT has rippling resonant effect in every aspect of people's lives and how, something changes, perhaps even the atmosphere , the trees planted, a sense of aliveness in a community that attracts other communities to ask what happened is also worthy of contemplation for me.</div>
<div>I learned many important things today - personally and in the work. I was thinking about the ways bees listen.</div>
<div>It turns out that bees hear what we might describe as a song deep in the flower as it opens and produces pollen. And the flower hears the bees as they move toward the pollen. The pollen is responsible for the reproduction of the flower, and the life force. As the bee comes closer the flower produces 20% more pollen. It is a collaborative act of listening at the level of vibration, and not to words or a melody.</div>
<p><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/6409341268?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></p>
<div> <strong>It is the essence of song, the essence of listening.</strong></div>
<div>Birgitta described asking a question based on what someone had said. that kind of listening is a bees body listening. The unlearning produces so much happiness that not only is the community enlivened, it seems, but we are reengaged because there is a great pleasure in the process, even when frustrating. </div>
<div>When you spoke about inclusion, it was not a learned idea. It was so genuine. the embodied voice, the listening, is at the heart of genuine presence and collaboration. Perhaps it is why as a storyteller , my self and others, are learning so much about SALT. </div>
<div>I loved what Philip said about the process. That the conversation itself was where change is instigated. It will be wonderful to listen again to the conversations that took place. </div>
<div>Bing given opportunities to see the subtly of my own personal collusion in ownership and manipulations through impatience or judgement is a gift beyond description.</div>
<div><span>Scientists have known what people's with wisdom traditions know, that the </span><span class="il">bee</span><span> is drawn to a song inside the flower that we do not hear. And that the flower hears the </span><span class="il">bees</span><span> that are drawn to the pollen. It is language without words. It is the energy of speech itself. This is the listening that awakens within us. this is the listening that re-members our forgetting that nothing exists on its own.</span></div>
<div><strong>My reflection to Laura's sharing-</strong> I found this on the net " <span><em>Bees, in contrast to people, do not hear with their ears, but they notice the sound with their whole body, especially with their antennas and sensitive body hair</em>. "<a href="http://www.museo-plattner.com/en/cms/25-can-a-bee-hear">http://www.museo-plattner.com/en/cms/25-can-a-bee-hear</a></span></div>
<div><span>A lesson for us human beings on how can we listen not only from our ears, but heart, mind and being fully present for the speaker?</span></div>
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<p></p>Neighbourhoods & communities matters most in response to Pandemictag:aidscompetence.ning.com,2020-04-16:2028109:BlogPost:1815212020-04-16T16:37:44.000ZRituu B. Nandahttps://aidscompetence.ning.com/profile/RituuBNanda94
<p dir="ltr">(I am sharing the email exchange I had with Alison and Ian Campbell on how they have facilitated their local neighbourhood in the UK to respond to Covid. .Alison and Ian have facilitated community strengths based responses to critical health issues over the past 30 years, inclusive of local faith expression. They coordinate Affirm Facilitation Associates <a href="http://www.affirmfacilitators.org/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">www.affirmfacilitators.org</a> and collaborate with…</p>
<p dir="ltr">(I am sharing the email exchange I had with Alison and Ian Campbell on how they have facilitated their local neighbourhood in the UK to respond to Covid. .Alison and Ian have facilitated community strengths based responses to critical health issues over the past 30 years, inclusive of local faith expression. They coordinate Affirm Facilitation Associates <a href="http://www.affirmfacilitators.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">www.affirmfacilitators.org</a> and collaborate with the Constellation for Community Life Competence.)</p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Background</strong> What we know about the virus is that the mortality of Covid 19 infection is 10 times that of seasonal flu, and it is much more infectious.What we have learned from HIV and Ebola experience particularly, with many thousands of people globally, is that in the upswing of confusion and concern, neighbourhood matters most, everyone needs a conversation, neighbourhood champions for caring connection are always there, and spiritual sensitivity and support is necessary.</p>
<p dir="ltr">We have applied these underpinnings with a local neighbourhood response to Covid 19 in Woking, south west of London in UK. The longer video from which this clip is extracted was prepared with Salvation Army seminary students in USA in mind to support their response. However the application is relevant globally with people of any faith and no faith, based in the recognition that local trust based relationship is the core foundation for a coherent immediate and effective national response.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Planning by the community</strong>-<span>The Lakeview Neighbourhood Connectors formed as a result if the meeting. There were seven Connectors, representing 5 apartment blocks out of 43 on the housing estate. Each has contacted near neighbours and is expecting to find and motivate at least one other Neighbourhood Connector in a different apartment block within a week. To know details watch this</span> video</p>
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<p dir="ltr"><strong>Email response received from Ian and Alison on 1st April on community led actions</strong></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span>A small swap table for basic food items has been placed by two of them outside their block and trade is brisk. A second swap table is taking shape. The family of two of the Connectors became unwell due to Covid 19 during the first week. They could not engage except by WhatsApp and their experience has helped a lot of people on the estate. </span></p>
<div><strong>Results</strong></div>
<div>Results continue from the little group of neighbourhood connectors. (They are meant to contact near neighbours, chat, care, connect to anything that might be needed, and continue by passing on the idea so that other people might join in.)</div>
<ul>
<li>The family that has been sick with COVID-19 put their story into the group social media about how they coped, and encouraged the others. </li>
<li>A new neighbourhood connector joined yesterday. She went this morning to tidy the swap table, and to deliver food to a neighbour that she heard about from another member of the group who is now self-isolating. </li>
<li>The small local shop has closed - connectors are checking neighbours to see who needs help with phone time or utility bill payment (people with low or irregular income do this in installments through a local shop) - to go to the nearest shop in the next neighbourhood.</li>
<li>Mental health is a challenge for some of our community - some cannot easily tolerate staying at home. One such person goes every day to sit at a safe distance from the swap table, and is coping better because other people pass by and say hello. Another person is not able to cope with social media but keeps in touch one-to-one with Ian and two others by text message and is able to help neighbours. These are good strategies.</li>
<li>Prescriptions are being picked up from pharmacy and delivered for those who cannot go out. . </li>
<li>We call someone in the group every day just to check in and encourage. So we all adapt as this experience unfolds. </li>
</ul>