Community + SALT + Me = All equal human valuable and lovable

[Joao Arnaldo Vembane]

When I decided to join the Constellation Team, SALT principles were the key for my passionate attraction. I even thought that it was the only thing that was making this team functioning. One might question why that was so evident comparatively to the other set of marvelous activities that the ACP team develops. And that is right, I also question the same. I never understand why, I only know that it is so impressing to the stage that once you start you get so involved and don’t even think of doing something else.

Maybe you can help me to understand what it about to make me fall in love with it. The first idea is that SALT has pushed me for more contacts with human beings who are same as me. My vision of them used to be different; they were beneficiaries of my activities. This means, today whenever I leave my home, my working set and I move to the field I’m going to find people who have their own concerns, dreams, strengthens, etc. I’m going there to learn from them and that is for free because they are open to share and my presence is already a stimulus for their dynamic.

But this is not only about working life as it deals with human condition. Me myself I’m human, my family, neighbors and friends and who ever… then SALT becomes important wider than only in the work place. The main principle of SALT by which respect to the opinion, idea, strength and capabilities of the others become applicable also in this contexts and then I take my life all over learning with everyone (family, friends, neighbors, colleagues, partners, etc).

To start implementing SALT was very hard, as I couldn’t see my role in the future. Today I find more space and interest on it as people love, need and request visits that help them feel more capable, important and valuable to their lives rather than the boring condition of poor, victim and beneficiary as we are used to make them feel.

This is what runs on me, do you share the same?

[Laurence Gilliot]

For those of you who are new to the SALT approach, you can read more about it here: http://www.aidscompetence.org/content/2.2_salt_visits.htm

[Virgilio Suande]

Amazing and powerfull experience learnt during the SALT juney
You have described SALT as a healing and transforming enviroment for individuals, communities, falilies ect... and something that touched me today is to know that as you get involved in the process you become visible in peoples lifes even if you are not physically present and as a result they invite you so that they can share their experiences.

Thanks Joao for sharing this experiences and a hope you get to share this to Other people in Mozambique + HI.
Virgilio Suande

[Laurence Gilliot]

Thank you Joao! You know how much I love what you wrote :-)

I was touched by this: "To start implementing SALT was very hard, as I couldn’t see my role in the future." this is a challenge for all of us, I think. We want to be useful, to be worthy, to have a meaning in life. When we can let go of our 'role' and just BE... just be who we are... we are liberated from a heavy burden.
Thank you for daring to make this step. You are brave!

Laurence

[Gaston]

Thank you Joao for this well articulated description of SALT in your life. You go down to the essence of the approach. The 'T' for Transfer is obvious in your case.

I can see how you would think: 'So what's my role in all this'? Well, as you've experienced, many communities don't know their strengths. They could use some support to bring out the best in themselves. Accompaniment is such a valuable gift when it comes from an equal human perspective and care. Not because it's in a project proposal.

If I was a community, I would love to have you accompany my community towards Community Life Competence! It would catalyse our journey towards competence.

Gaston