Community Health Volunteer's Training Manual - Population Council

Box 2.3.2
Community Mobilisation and Participation
Community Entry
This is the stage where a few people recognise that there is a need or problem that they
would like to do something about. So they contact a number of important people and
groups in the community to share their thoughts with. Out of these people a team is
formed which critically looks at the community’s needs or problem from all sides. They
find out the causes of the problems and opportunities available to solve or meet the
need. Then, they look at possible places to get resources. In addition they describe the
various population groups and their characteristics in the community. These findings are all
documented for use in solving the problem.
Readiness
The community becomes convinced about the benefits of a programme or project and is
prepared to commit resources to develop and implement it.
Assessment
Assessment of community’s problems and underlying causes is done, resources and
opportunities available are identified. Environmental, social and economic assessment is
also conducted. Demographic characteristics are also described in the project document.
Planning
At this stage, the team prepares a plan to solve the problem or meet the need. This plan
should have all the details of how the work will be done; who plays the lead roles and how
it will get most people in the community to take part in the activity.
The plan should also have specific goals, objectives and activities. The team sets targets
for each of the activities planned to be used when evaluating their work.
Implementation
The team carries out all the activities they have planned to address the issue. They
monitor the activities to find out whether things are being done according to plan and
targets being met.
Evaluation
At the end of each activity, the team that planned and implemented the programme looks
back at its work and asks a few questions. Have we achieved our targets? If yes, what
next? If no, why not?
When targets have not been achieved, the team identifies all the possible reasons and
finds solutions to it. Where the targets have been achieved, the team helps the community
to look for other needs and problems that must be addressed.
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