Charity, Helping

Lessons Learnt on Funding

A multipurpose centre helps to have a physical base for the centre coordinator to work from, where community members can make contact with the programme officers. The community can gather informally as well as for other purposes such as meetings or training. The base provides a focus for developments, where visual material can be displayed. Those members who are reluctant to speak in public meetings may feel more comfortable to share their ideas or concerns in a more relaxed environment.

Centre for Total Transformation from its inception realised that it is important to recognise that communities are not homogeneous and are characterised by different groups with different levels of power. It is vital to ensure that the least powerful are involved. This often requires affirmative action, such as sending facilitators to talk with those who do not attend meetings; doing community outreach.

Where community members are providing voluntary labour, rewards and incentives are necessary to recognise and sustain their contribution. At a minimum, these include childcare provision, expenses; refreshments; access to equipment (e.g. computer, telephone). Another important incentive is access to training and the opportunity to obtain recognised certification, with a view to future employment, along with support for job applications.

One of the strengths of CTT is to bond with communities they are working in. The ability to develop projects or programmes relevant with community needs and desires distinguishes it from other NGOs, thus maintaining ongoing connections with local communities. This is currently evident, as there is no funding, people still converge at CTT Centres to work in the field and attend workshops respectively. The ability of CTT to build networks with other organisations is a key factor in its overall capacity to implement their programmes and projects. This has also kept it abreast with the developmental sector.

The purpose of lessons learnt is to bring together any insights gained during a project that can be successfully applied to other programmes/projects. One of the major lessons learnt is the Dependency Syndrome – an attitude and belief that a group cannot solve its own problems without outside help. It is a weakness that is created by charity. CTT is not a stranger to the syndrome, as most of its programmes have been suspended due to lack of funding. This has affected both CTT and the community. If the community cannot become more self reliant and empowered, they will simply not develop and so poverty and apathy will eventually destroy them. CCT has learnt that counteracting dependency should be its prime goal. Dependency in the community must be reduced by every action CTT takes.

Leave A Comment

Your Comment
All comments are held for moderation.