A range of possibilities are available for project implementation. Our focus is always educational – and hence the aim in implementation is not only to communicate important information, but to enable learning and behaviour change through shared learning. In order to achieve this goal, we work firstly with community-based leaders and project stakeholders. They are trained by ESST (to varying degrees, and depending on the aims of the project), and in many cases partner with us to carry implementation out in their areas. This is to enhance and drive home community ownership. Further to that, we conduct community workshops, road shows and media campaigns – using radio, electronic (including websites) and print media. Depending on the budget, a campaign intervention can have all the above components: stakeholders’ workshops, community workshops, a media campaign and road shows – or it could simply involve stakeholder workshops and a publication (development and distribution) as Phase 3 of A People’s Contract (2008) did.
We believe that new knowledge is best acquired through shared learning and shared meaning-making. This approach understands that in order for new knowledge to be appropriated, it needs to be discovered, shared and constructed by the learner in a way that builds on an existing knowledge base. This learning experience is shared by the learning/action team, who together construct the learning of new meaning. For this reason we elect in major campaigns to form action groups within communities of people who continue to meet in a focused way. These groups are supported by ESST even after initial implementation. (Projects where action groups were formed include: Building AIDS Competent Communities, Building a People’s Contract for Growth and Development (2004 and 2006), Our Women and Children are Precious, HIV: My Life, My Rights.)
Our project implementation division consists of provincial coordinators (at least two per province) who oversee field research for project planning, impact assessments (and sometimes readiness assessments), workshop facilitation during project implementation, pretesting of material in the provinces, as well as networking in their areas. Our coordinators know their provinces and have strong ties to their communities. They are fluent in English as well as the languages of the province. To Top
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