Community ownership

My organisation does not own nor operate any community schools. Promoting community ownership encourages community investment and responsibility. Naturally, a community that has burned the bricks to build their school will more likely ensure the maintenance of the school than a school completely built by external resources. I am happy my boss is passionate and understands the meaning of sustainable development. He encourages people to think about how much pride they will feel when they say they contributed to something completely their own instead of the instant gratification of just receiving something. For example, when a community decides it want to improve its school infrastructure, my organisation will provide harder to obtain materials including concrete, doors, and roofing sheets as long as the community agrees to provide labour and locally available materials such gravel. Similarly, the community finds way to pay their teacher through income generating activities, which can range from tuck shops to a piggery. The operation of the school is completely in the hands of the community. In addition to providing material support, my organisation provides skill training to build the capacity of community member in the management and operation of their school. I think this is precisely why I wanted to work with a local organisation – direct investment in community.