Community Development
 |
For decades CLWR has been working alongside communities to end systemic poverty. |
Canadian Lutheran World Relief supports long-term community development programs that improve the quality of life for those struggling against poverty. The aim of community development is sustainable poverty-reduction. CLWR uses benchmark goals that are aligned to the United Nations Millennium Development Goals.
Funding for these programs comes from Lutheran churches and individual Canadians. The Canadian International Development Agency—Canadian Partnership Branch is a major supporter, having provided about $20 million since 1999.
CLWR is a member of the Lutheran World Federation, which has programs in many developing nations. In Mozambique, Zambia and India, CLWR’s community development is coordinated through these programs, often referred to as “country programs.” In Peru and Bolivia, CLWR implements community development through local partners.
Development is focused around these issues:
Health
There are many components to good health, including access to clean water, adequate food, proper medical treatment, shelter and clothing among other needs.
CLWR improves health conditions by building or rehabilitating wells for drinking water, by building latrines, by training and supporting health workers and by offering testing and services for sexually transmitted diseases. In Mozambique and Zambia where HIV and AIDS are prevalent, CLWR supports HIV and AIDS education, treatment counselling and palliative care.
Education
Education is essential if a community is to grow and develop. Yet in many parts of the world illiteracy is a major problem; so too is the attitude that girls are better off working than going to school. In parts of Africa the education system has been eroded because AIDS has claimed the lives of so many teachers.
That’s why CLWR supports non-formal education centres that promote functional literacy among adults and out-of-school children. And it’s why CLWR trains teachers, builds schools, increases access to education for girls and provides vocational training such as carpentry and beekeeping.
Agriculture
Malnutrition and food scarcity are two major issues in communities where CLWR operates programs. One way to combat these circumstances is by improving the agricultural output.
This is achieved by arranging demonstration plots that showcase beneficial farming techniques. Group and community plots are not only educational but also bring in community funds and can support a grain bank. Trained staff educate communities on sustainable farming practices such as organic production and water management. Capital investments like terracing, and building of roads, fish ponds, granaries and irrigation schemes boost agricultural capacity and output.
Natural resource and environmental protection
Deforestation is a problem in many developing nations because people depend on wood for cooking fuel, shelter construction and other uses. Forest is further destroyed to accommodate industry and growing populations if people lack an understanding of its importance. Canadian Lutheran World Relief supports reforestation efforts in order to reverse some of this damage.
In Latin America—namely Peru and Bolivia—environmental damage largely stems from heavy mining which has resulted in contaminated water supplies. CLWR builds awareness and trains communities to monitor water quality and advocate for tighter environmental protection.
CLWR has produced a handbook for the environmental evaluation of development projects. The manual is available for download in English and Spanish.
Micro finance
Everyone has dreams and plans. But for many living in poverty, a lack of resources can be a real barrier to seeing those plans come true. In essence, poverty breeds poverty, and it is this cycle that micro finance addresses.
Canadian Lutheran World Relief supports the development of community-based savings groups that pool and record small savings. Together, these people collect enough to issue group members loans that can be used to launch a modest business—perhaps the purchase of some livestock or equipment like a sewing machine. This method of community development is a great example of self-empowerment, since the money is coming from within the community.
Gender equity
Gender inequality is still a major hurdle in many parts of the world. Even though most of the world’s farmers are women, and women are often the backbone of household chores and child rearing, they often face systemic discrimination. Women are not allowed to control household income; they do not make major decisions that impact the family; they do not vote or participate in government; they cannot control whether contraception and disease-prevention methods will be used in their sexual relationships; and they face other barriers at home, at work and in other parts of life.
Canadian Lutheran World Relief supports the development of women’s groups, which provide a support network for women in a community. Group members share information and personal experience, engage in advocacy, and provide an environment of empowerment.
Institutional strengthening and advocacy
Because CLWR works at a community level, it is vital to have cohesion and consensus among community members. It is also important for community members to have a sense of inclusion and understanding.
That’s why CLWR builds Strategic Action Groups (SAGs) that have various roles depending upon the needs of the individual community. There may be a women’s group that fosters equality among men and women. Or there may be a carpentry group that provides vocational training. Or there may be a lending group that pools savings and offers members micro-loans. In Latin America particularly, SAGs lead environmental assessment and advocacy efforts.
