Informal conversation contributes to the internalization of opportunities / initiatives to the community

That day, after a satisfactory and motivating three-hour session of work in the shade house and selling some greens to community members, 6 young women and 3 young men sat and engaged in an informal socializing conversation. The environment was conducive, they sat in an area they had previously cleared among the trees. “Why don’t we…

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.

When we asked him about the good things he has…

Hi,  I’m Rati Lama, a SALT facilitator of Rural Aid organization, Kalchini Block, Alipurduar District, would like to share once again about the Training on CLCP (Community Life Competence Process) cycle to the SHGs (Self Help Groups) and parents of adolescent children of Kalchini Tea gardens with support of my team members Dheeraj, Sanjay and Nityam.…

Hi, I’m Rati Lama, a SALT facilitator of Rural Aid organization, Kalchini Block, Alipurduar District. Here is my short testimonial video which was recorded in the year 2022.

The video revealed the Power of SALTs facilitation, "how…

Hi everyone ! This is Dheeraj Lepcha from Rural Aid NGO working with support from Global Fund for Children in Alipurduar District, Kalchini block (State of West Bengal, India) on the issue of  Prevention child trafficking.  We had already started working on community sustainability and ownership in our tea gardens through…

Hi all, in this new episode of the How To Build Community podcast I chat with a specialist with 25 years experience of leading water and sanitation projects across Africa. He describes how more and more communities are turning to a business-based approach to water management. It's really interesting! You can listen here:…

Before writing was developed, cultures passed along their traditions, history and identity, through stories, proverbs, poems, songs and riddles. These are all oral art forms. In other words they are spoken, sung or chanted, and can form part of dance, drama or discussion.

They are a way to communicate everything that matters without putting anything into writing.

In this new 'How To Build Community' episode, I chat with an orality expert from Sierra Leone, and hear that even…

Hi all!

In this recent episode of the 'how to build community' podcast you can listen in on a conversation of community leaders from around the world - all members of Arukah Network - in which they discuss how to make the global health system fit for the future. And the answer, they argue, is to put ‘community’ at its centre. It's an interesting conversation, featuring voices from India, Laos, Nepal, Nigeria and…

Met with Anganwadi Sevika while working in connection with SALT in Vashi. Anganwadi sevika explained their problem that the number of children in Anganwadi is decreasing and parents are admitting their children to English medium schools. At that time Anganwadi sevika find the solution is that they should communicate with parents through SALT. It is one of impact of SALT. Anganwadi sevika realize the strength of SALT.…

SALT process is being implemented in Nandwal village, Maharashtra, India under the project Gender Equality through Avani organization. This work has reached many people in the village.

Six months ago when village panchayat elections were held in Nandwal village, a woman named Trishala (name changed) stood in our ward as a woman candidate. She used to visit my house…

Recently, in a candid conversation with a friend, I asked him a question that caught him off guard: "What makes you feel proud?" His immediate response was that pride seemed like too high an emotion to truly experience. Intrigued, I followed up with another question: "Can you recall any incidents from your past that brought you happiness?" Although he hesitated at first, he eventually opened up, sharing a few instances where his work had taken him around the world, offering him a lot…

Hi everyone ! 

I just want to share my thoughts on SALT by indicating the SALT as a beautiful Balloon. The thought emerged or something stimulated me to think on it today when I was on the way home from the office, I  realized myself…

The How To Build Community podcast recently published its 50th episode! Over 6 years, I've spoken with 61 interviewees, from 23 countries, all with stories, wisdom and insight on ways to build and sustain a healthy community. 

In it, I reflect on some of what I have learned during this time, and share some highlights. See what you think, and if you like it do subscribe in your podcast app and tell others about it!…

In the heartwarming tale of the Das family, we encounter the power of discussion and encouragement in transforming a young girl's life. Rina (name changed), a bright and eager learner, was forced to abandon her education due to her family's circumstances.

However, through the utilization of the SALT technique and sheer determination, her parents managed to reignite hope and ensure their daughter regained access to education. Despite their initial enthusiasm, Rina's attendance at the…

Knowledge Fair is the fair where the different peoples without experts join together in one umbrella (objective) to learn and share their experiences and challenges. They don’t only share their experience but also learn from each other.  …

Loss and grief affect all of us at some point in our lives.

In this recent episode of my 'How To Build Community' podcast, I spoke with Barnabé Anzuruni, a theologian based in Kenya, who shared with me his personal experiences of loss and also his experience of supporting others through their grief.…

I facilitated SALT conversation in a village where. children and men were present. In the beginning, everyone was looking at each other, wondering what to say, but eventually everyone started talking...

One of the girls,…

Members of the Thanjavur Medical Journal (TMJ) Community, had its first online meeting about a week ago. The main point was to discuss sources of funding to start the Journal. 



After this online meeting, I posted the points discussed in the TMJ WhatsApp groups of over 460 doctors, which sparked of a series of discussions. Presented is one of the…

A short proud story from the life of 38 years old woman, she is temporary worker at Bhatpara tea garden.

Hi everyone, I’m Nityam Ghosh. I work with Rural Aid NGO with support from Global Fund for Children is in Alipurduar District, Kalchini Block, State of West Bengal, India. We work in the tea gardens on the issue of trafficking and child labour. When we had SALT conversation, she shared one of the best proud story from her life, her story fascinated me.

When the wife of any…