ABCD-Training-of-Trainers-Tools-July-2013

1.2.b. Variation of Community 1 and 2: Community A and B
(adapted from Sheehan by Ninnette Eliasov)
Session Title
Session Objectives
Duration of Session
Resources
Training Materials
Community A, Community B
Demonstrate the psychological impact of focusing only on a
community’s needs and problems
20 minutes
Flip chart
Markers
Community Description A and B
Introduction
If we only have information about problems and needs in a community, we are unlikely to have a full
picture of what is really going on. ‘Experts’ who design development projects to meet needs often draw
on a skewed perspective and many assumptions are made in the process. This is often a reason why
development efforts are not sustainable. This activity introduces the two main paradigms: the assetbased
approach and the needs-based or problem-based approach.
Instructions
Divide the group into half: one half is from Community A and the other half is Community B. Listen
carefully to the descriptions about their communities(these can also be found in Training Materials
Guide).
Description A:You have visited the community and noticed a lot of people standing around with nothing
to do. Most people have little or no formal schooling and lack skills. Adults are unemployed and depend
on welfare grants. Children have no recreational facilities and there is no pre-school. There are few
community leaders and there is little capacity to manage large scale programs.
Description B:You have visited the community and notice it is vibrant and full of life. People are friendly
and there is a strong sense of togetherness. People have taught themselves a range of skills like building,
sewing, brick making, beadwork, leatherwork, weaving, candle-making, catering, carpentry, welding and
mechanic work. Schooling is mostly informal and families and friends exchange their knowledge and
skills. The community is located in a beautiful area surrounded by mountains and children spend most of
their time outdoors. Some parents home school children. Community leaders are proactive and
respected. There have been many successful initiatives.
You can read the descriptions out again if need be and translate them. In pairs, ask people to discuss
how it feels to live in their particular community. After a few minutes, debrief starting with Community
A. You can divide a newsprint in two columns and write down some of the feelings expressed from
Community A on one side. You can ask the group who would like to live in A, who would like to live in B?
Most of the time, the majority wish to live in B and very few, if any, would like to live in Community A.
Once you have completed the debrief, tell the group that the descriptions are in fact the same
community. The difference is the lens or the perspective of the observer who is looking for the glass half
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