Asset Based Community-led Development (ABCD)

2 Day Workshop Report for Ikhala Trust

2-3 July 2014, 10h00 – 15h30

Community organisations - Somila’s network in Alice

Facilitators: Carla Collins (Calabash Trust) and Nosimilo Filita (Ikhala Trust)

“Start with what we have, build with what we know”

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DAY 1

1. Welcome, Introductions and Purpose

The welcoming was done by both facilitators and everybody

introduced themselves and their organisations. As an ice-

breaker a ‘name game’ was played to become familiarised

with each other. The group consisted of representatives from

12 community organisations in and around Alice, forming

part of a network initiated by Somila. Altogether 24 people

participated on the 1st day, and 26 people on the 2nd day. The

workshop was made possible by funding from the Mott Foundation through Ikhala Trust. The purpose of the workshop

was to introduce participants to ABCD as a paradigm and practice, as requested by Somila.

2. Find a partner (Appreciative enquiry)

We then asked the group to find a partner and share what

they are most proud of in their communities, with a second

round sharing who inspires them. This set a positive tone for

the start of the workshop as stories emerged of community

members coming together to help each other during difficult

times, of organizations starting a garden together to share

produce, and of organisations initiated by community

members.

Programme Wednesday 2nd: Welcome and Introductions ABCD OVERVIEW ABCD AS A PARADIGM

Find your partner Community A&B Defining ABCD Types of poverty Types of Assets Root causes of poverty Programme review Ladder of inference Development Industry Close Thursday 3rd: ABCD AS A PRACTICE Check in Levels of engagement

Mapping individual assets (hand, head, heart) Mapping social assets

Mapping physical and natural assets Leaky Bucket Action planning / Way forward Check-out

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3. Defining Asset Based Community-led Development (ABCD)

We introduced ABCD by defining each term, and explained that ABCD is a way of thinking or seeing, and also an

approach to development work. It was also clarified that the asset based approach is different from the needs based

approach, and we therefore start with what we have and build with what we know.

4. Types of Assets

To further the understanding around assets, the group was asked to highlight examples of assets, which were grouped

into 5 types of assets, some examples mentioned by the group included:

Physical assets: car, house, tv, clothes

Natural assets: cattle, goats, sheep, land, forests, rivers, sky, sun

Social assets: togetherness, love, organisations, societies, sharing

Human assets: gardening, sewing, catering, knitting, crocheting, cooking, baking, beadwork, cleaning, caring work

Financial assets: cash, savings

It was explained that financial assets are merely a converter that is used to obtain the other assets, but have no

meaning on its own as you cannot eat or wear money! The idea of viewing things through a positive lense was

demonstrated by a glass filled halfway with water, and asked whether they see the glass as half empty or half full. In this

group most saw the glass as half full! In ABCD we look at the glass half full, in other words what we have to work with

instead of what we don’t have.

5. Community A&B

To further emphasize the lense through which we view the world (positive vs negative), the group was split in two, each

with different descriptions of a community - one where there seems as if many things are lacking, and the other having

many assets. The group was asked to imagine that they lived there and to explain how it made them feel.

Community A felt bad and unhappy; they wondered where they could get assistance to be like community B; they

suffered from an inferiority complex as well as arrogance because of insecurity (therefore too proud to ask help from

community B); and they felt they had no life and knowledge causing crime and theft.

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Community B felt happy and excited because there are a lot of skills to share; they have graduates (educated),

togetherness, love, ubuntu and open-mindedness; they felt they had purpose (i.e. they know what to do when they

wake up in the morning).

The group was then told that it is actually the same community, just viewed through different ‘lenses’ - positive and

negative. It was a reminder that we choose to see the glass half full or half empty, viewing our lives and communities

through a positive lense.

6. Types of poverty

The group was asked to define poverty, as it is something that all development workers fight against. As they started

naming things, three types of poverties were introduced:

Poverty of mind

Poverty of spirit

Poverty of stomach

These types of poverties are experienced by anyone, regardless of race, class or gender. For many in the group it was an

eye opener as they only think of ‘poverty of stomach’ when they think of ‘poor’.

7. Root causes of poverty

To further the discussion, they were divided in small groups to unpack the root causes of poverty. A summary of the

feedback include:

Lack of experience, education, knowledge and skills

Nepotism

Depression, no motivation, lack of interest, dependency

People not working, unemployment

Ignorance, pride and superiority – not communicating with each other

Lack of trust and respect

Lack of willingness to help, jealousy

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Analysing the feedback on the root causes of poverty, it was noticed that most of the reasons relate to the poverty of

mind and spirit, which means that even though people created systems that causes poverty, it is up to each person to

choose to uplift themselves and others on a daily basis. Many agreed that with a strong mind and spirit, poverty of

stomach can be overcome.

8. Ladder of inference

To illustrate this tool, the story of Nokwanda was used, where Nokwanda goes for a job interview as an administrator:

she sounded very distracted on the phone when the appointment was made, arrived late with dirty fingernails and

smelt of tobacco smoke. The group was asked whether they would employ Nokwanda if they were the employer.

Some said yes they would employ her with rules (e.g. she must stop smoking), some would give her a chance to explain

herself before making a decision, one person suggested that perhaps she was collecting bottles in a tavern to sell in

order to feed her children. Another person said maybe she went to a place to get taxi fares and ended up between a

fight and people smoking.

Others were adamant that they would not employ her because she

was late and had to prepare. She should’ve known the situation and

be better prepared. Some assumed she was an alcoholic and would

destroy the organisation.

The group was then asked if they would change their minds if they

were to be told that Nokwanda is a foster mother with four children

and sat next to a smoker in the taxi who bruised her arm when she confronted him.

The group was made aware of how we ‘jump up our ladders’ and make inferences based on minimal information. This is

also true when engaging in development work. Initiatives are often started based on limited information around

problems and needs, where assumptions are easily made and assets not taken into account. When doing planning

around ideas, it is therefore important to get all the information (not only a one-sided needs assessment), so no skewed

assumptions are acted upon.

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9. Development Industry

The ‘Development Industry’ was described with regards to the different role players in the industry. Many in the group

thought that government and business are they key role players, and were not aware of the influence international

organisations and multi-national companies have in the development industry.

Most in the group were also unaware of gatekeepers and gappers in between these levels, either keeping information

and resources to themselves, or sharing.

The group agreed that revolution tends to come from ‘the bottom’ (communities) as ‘those who feel it know it’ and are

more likely to be driven to change their lives for the better. People at other levels are more comfortable and don’t

necessarily feel the same urgency. The group also agreed that bulk of the resources are at the ‘top’, and in spite of good

intentions has encouraged dependency and inequality with most resources going to ‘experts’ meeting needs. The

question comes: ‘in whose best interests’ in the development field if the bulk of resources and influences are not with

the communities it claims to serve.

DAY 2

10. Check-in

After the first day the facilitators were unsure whether ABCD as a paradigm was fully understood and appreciated, so

decided to allow a longer check in and ask the group how they felt after Day 1, what stood out for them. Some

responses were as follows:

One lady said it was the first time she felt good in a long time.

Some felt they were merely running projects without enough knowledge (not being informed enough).

One person motivated the group to commit themselves, trust in themselves and know that they are worthy.

Many enjoyed the energiser exercises!

Some liked Nokwanda’s story (not to judge).

Many were touched by the roots causes of poverty and appreciative enquiry, feeling it was really taking them to a

better place. Many never realised there were different kinds of poverty and assets, and felt it would assist them in

their organisations.

Many felt excited and motivated.

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Some wished their whole organisation was present to share the experience and were also worried because others in

their organisation usually expect them to go back with money after attending a workshop.

Some realised they should not feel inferior because they are not formally educated and to have an “I can” attitude

One woman was losing hope and thinking of stopping what she was doing, but after the 1st day she felt motivated to

continue.

Some have always blamed government, not realising they can start with what they have.

One woman thanked the facilitators for all the clarity, translation and understanding that they are not all on the

same level.

11. Levels of engagement

Before moving into ABCD as a practice, another consciousness building tool was introduced to demonstrate the

difference between reactive and responsive development. When we are conscious, we are able to respond better and

make informed decisions rather than react on forces from the outside. Different levels of engagement was introduced,

from the most empowering to the least empowering, which communities can use to clarify roles, partnerships and

intentions between different stakeholders during a development process.

12. Mapping individual assets

We then moved straight into mapping the 5 different assets mentioned in

Day 1, starting with human (individual) assets. The group was asked to give

examples of something they can do with their hands, things they know and

can do with their heads (mind), and emotional qualities they have with

their hearts. This tool helps with appreciating oneself. The group

recognised the impact they could have in their communities when

combining their skills and work together.

13. Mapping social assets

Social assets were then mapped, which was easy for them to do as they all

belong to organizations in their communities. They could link with other

organizations they are working with and identify those that they are not

working closely with, with whom they could possibly explore beneficial linkeages. See examples on the next page.

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14. Mapping physical and natural assets

As with the social assets, physical and natural assets were also mapped. There was little time for feedback, but it was

clarified whether the group understood what the tool is all about.

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15. Leaky bucket

Mapping the financial assets through the leaky bucket was, as usual, an eye

opener for the group. The tool was demonstrated after which everyone did a leaky

bucket for their own households. The idea of a local economy was explained and

also finding ways to plug the leaks. Although the group felt a bit stressed after

looking at their own leaky buckets, they were reminded of the other assets

(human, social, physical and natural) that are also in their buckets that can be

converted to cash if necessary, and encouraged to manage finances carefully. One

person was particularly interested in the idea of a local economy.

16. Way forward

The following questions were asked to think about a way forward:

1. Has anything shifted or changed for you as a result of this course?

2. What are the three most important lessons learnt?

3. How do you intend to use what you have learnt?

4. What are the next baby steps moving forward?

Umzamo Community

We have learnt a lot and we now can see the difference. We want to work together with other people and other

organizations and start a project of collecting plastics and bottles and resell them.

Joji Sakh’ikamva Group

We have learnt a lot and we go back converted by ABCD. We would like to share with our friends and the

community at large about especially the poverties.

Most importantly we have been encouraged to be confident in what we do.

Madiba Youth Project Msobomvu Location

We have learnt a lot about ABCD, start with what you have, types of poverty & assets, togetherness and sharing.

We are going to have a meeting with the community to share what we have learnt.

We will meet with other people, put money together and buy material.

We have learnt working together with other people, to share your knowledge and to ask to those who know if you

don’t.

Now I’m going to start a business

Ikhwezi Poultry Project

We have learnt that you should work hard and money will follow.

How to work together in trying to defeat poverty.

To educate other people starting with family, community, Municipality and abroad.

Soyamile Co-op

Will share what we’ve learnt with the community.

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Lovedale DCC

The way to start a project is to work with the community by sharing your ideas and knowledge to develop your

community.

We are thinking of coming together with other organizations to support each other e.g. gardening projects - to buy

vegetables from them instead of supporting Spar.

We are going to call a parents meeting to share with them that you don’t just need money in order to develop

yourself or community but you can start by using your Human Assets.

Gubura Iling’elethu Food Security

We are going home to our communities with all the excitement with the aim of working with patience knowing that

money will follow. We learnt to be patient, we can fight poverty and survive by making money ourselves.

We will go back to the community and tell them how to develop our projects. We will start by planting vegetables to

boost our Pre-school and supply the community. In our Pre-school we will now start having a Graduation Ceremony.

Vukusondle Food project

We learnt :how to communicate with people, to use our gifts and to be

committed in what you are doing. To use your Human Assets and ask for

help when you need it and to work together with other organizations.

Phumalanga Aged Centre

Enjoyed the three kinds of poverty and Assets

Khanya Nursery

To give report to our members, to form small groups to practice what

we have learnt

To meet with other organizations in order to speak in one voice

Holy Nation CHBC

To share with others and recruit more members

Closing was done by Nosimilo, and we ended with a very energetic song and

dance!

After reflecting on the workshop, the facilitators felt that 2 days was perhaps a bit short. Some parts of the workshop

felt rushed, especially when feedback from the group had to be cut short, and there was no time for multi-media that

could’ve perhaps helped with reinforcing some concepts. Other than that the group was amazing and it was great to

meet the amazing people in and around Alice.

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References

Cunningham, C. Mathie, A. 2009. Mobilising Assets for Community Driven Development: Participant Manual. Coady

International Institute.

Ninnette E. 2013. Asset Based and Citizen Led Development: Ikhala Trust Training Course.