Building Communities

Selecting families

The need is overwhelming.  Most people we interview qualify for help!  Our planning for this began several years ago as we walked the street of the slums, listening to leaders, children, landlords and tenants, employed and unemployed.  The insights, together with now havig had residents for a couple of years continues to  provide profound learning.

Home Leone’s development approach is community-led.  We recognise the importance of researching the existing community structures and practices in order to understand what works well and what leads to dysfunction. We are committed to an intensely participatory process that engages beneficiaries from the beginning in the design and implementation of the project. Our key initial partnership has been with The Federation of Urban and Rural Poor (FEDURP), a network of slum dwellers who have mobilised to represent and advocate for slum dwellers in Sierra Leone. They encourage a sense of ownership and empowerment that we expect will ultimately lead to vibrant and sustainable communities.

Due to Freetown’s vast housing needs, a detailed and in depth process of beneficiary selection has been developed in order to identify firstly, those most vulnerable and secondly, those most likely to thrive within the context of Destiny Village. Along with determining whom, this process has also helped to illustrate more specifically how individuals are impacted by their living conditions and what their relocation needs may be. This process has been designed for replication to scale with the view that thousands of families are expected to apply and to be relocated to new homes.

Training

Home Leone’s training builds on the Sierra Leone’s existing practice, wisdom and culture. Our Individual Development and Training (IDAT) group have built significant input which is being delivered to residents, management and applicants.  Working with Anti-virus group is a key methodology bringing life change and insight. 

Addressing a range of social and economic issues, a multi-sector approach incorporates; health, education, vocational skills, personal growth, environment and waste management, social justice and human rights and community.

There is a focus within our approach that each resident has a valuable contribution to make.  They are encouraged to be an active member of the learning process along with the whole group. This approach also ensures that even if they do not have any formal education, which is common within the target slum communities, through story telling they are able to learn and understand. It is important within the Home Leone training workshops that an environment of trust, openness and acceptance is encouraged in order to create an effective learning environment.

Taking references and skills is also considered though the primary selection criteria considers attitude and motivation.  We start with people who we hope want to make the most of the opportunity.