Direct Experiences of the Community Members

There is no denying that the CEPs bring about many changes in the target communities. I was able to witness this with my own eyes during the field trip in the district of Kilwa. In Kilwa, albeit a very traditional Muslim community, women now had the courage to represent themselves and speak in front of the public in the general village meetings. The villages had developed a strong community spirit and a feeling of pride, whereby the villagers were e.g. wearing

blue t-shirts with the printed text “VICOBA”, surely adding to their team spirit, group dynamics, feeling of self-esteem and general motivation.

When talking to some of the community members, it was clear how happy and proud they felt being able to share their positive experiences on the CEP trainings. All of the interviewed community members recognized there had been many changes in their lives as a result of the trainings. The interviewees often mentioned many material changes in the everyday life; however, these changes, as the trainings in general had had a major impact also on the change in mindset they had experienced. This change of mind, which shall be treated in the later chapter, can be considered as a phase, characteristic or component of empowerment.

The changes mentioned most often by the villagers were related to improved agricultural and farming methods, leading to a better harvest and consequently an increased income. Increased income in turn enables the villagers to stand on their own and be independent, and in the case of the women, not having to depend on their husband. Moreover, the community members are now able to prioritize their needs, plan their lives and think forward to the future. One clear priority seems to be being able to provide education for the children, being able to pay school fees and buy the school uniforms. Other changes enabled by the increased income are e.g. improved housing and a more balanced diet with more than only one meal per day.

One community member explained how the trainings had made her think: the trainings had led to an awakening and a change of mindset. As a result of the trainings, the interviewed community member started to engage in an even bigger number of projects (e.g. related to IGAs) than before, and was consequently able to enjoy a better harvest and an increased income. The fact of being able to increase one’s income as a result of one’s own actions is clearly contributing to the strengthening of self-esteem and motivation.

Another sign of a change in the villages was the major increase in cooperation among the villagers. Indeed, even though not every member of the community takes part in the trainings, the learned skills and knowledge are passed forward in the villages, as the trained community members transfer the knowledge by teaching others. This, in addition to increasing the overall human capital as well as the crops and thereby the income of the entire community, ties the villagers together, as they now have something more in common. As a result of the CEP trainings, often held in a group-setting, the villages experience a higher sense of unity, collaboration and community spirit. Villagers are helping one another out and genuinely offering support to each other. The villagers are now seeing the common good as their goal, advocating for those who have not been able to take part in the trainings, so that everyone would have equal chances in the community. Moreover, according to the example given by an interviewed villager, the community members now experience an atmosphere of “positive competition”, where one wants to exceed another in skills and knowledge – this, however, in a supportive and “brotherly” way. This kind of positive competing increases motivation even further and most likely also speeds up the learning process of the community.

In addition to the improved farming methods and the resulted increased income, also acquired literacy skills seem to have a major impact on the villagers, often in particular women. Indeed, already by knowing the basics can have dramatic changes in the lives of the villagers: being able to read simple things such as

“DANGER” signs can turn out to be life-saving, enabling the individuals to determine whether or not a bridge or a path should be crossed or avoided.

Moreover, literacy and numeracy skills acquired by women have significantly improved their position with respect to the men, as women now have the courage to stand up for themselves. Even though men are still considered as the heads of the house, they have already started to acknowledge women’s role and the right to property and income. As a result of the acquired skills, women are e.g.

able to keep better track of the family income, whereby men no longer spend everything as they wish, but take the entire family into consideration when deciding how to use the income. Even though not having been trained directly,

men have still experienced a change indirectly, becoming aware of the rights of the women, and being able to evaluate the benefits of the entire family. Indeed, men are becoming more truthful and loyal to the family.

One of the most significant changes emerging from the interviews of the community members was an example of rejecting age-old traditions and adopting completely new customs, i.e. from going to the witch doctor to starting to use Western medication and getting treatment at a dispensary. This indicates an enormous mind change, as up to date, it has been common practice to believe that diseases such as malaria are caused by evil spirits, and which can therefore only be treated by a witch doctor. Strengthened by the trainings, thereby being able to compare the advantages and disadvantages as well as to see the benefits of the modern medication, however, the villagers are little by little starting to reject the old habits no longer considered beneficial and effective.

While in the villages, I also had the chance to hear the success story of a widow lady, a former marginalized who currently holds the position of chairperson of one of the VICOBA groups. The widow mother of two children, after joining a group of entrepreneurial skills training, received a loan and started her own small business. By the business activities, she managed to establish a steady income, and was able to improve the housing conditions as well as to pay the school fees for her children. From being a marginalized, poor person with no hope of a better life, the widow lady became an independent, self-confident and equal member of the community, not only being able to be in control of her life and take care of herself, but also being able to support her children and provide education for them, making thus an investment for their future. Already this is a proof of the true success of the CEP approach. Having said that, the widow lady was able to exceed all the expectations by becoming the chairperson of a VICOBA group. Indeed, having the confidence, skills and the knowledge, the widow lady ran for the position and was elected by the other group members. This speaks for an atmosphere of general acceptance, unity, equality and democracy now reigning in the village.