ACON, a network of Groups
A community meeting
At ACON we implement our projects through the medium of Community Based Organizations (CBO’s), such as women groups and youth groups. During meetings with representatives of such groups we transmit the ideas of the projects and all the necessary information and tools. We then rely on them to spread this information within their community. Our network currently consits of over 300 of such groups and we estimate that through them we have reached about 750,000 people in Western Kenya over the last 10 years.
Another important aspect of working in this way is the ease with which we can get feedback about our projects and learn about the specific needs and problems of the rural communities. We are convinced that this effective two-way communication is the basis of the succes and the popularity of our projects among the villagers in the region.
Another important aspect of working in this way is the ease with which we can get feedback about our projects and learn about the specific needs and problems of the rural communities. We are convinced that this effective two-way communication is the basis of the succes and the popularity of our projects among the villagers in the region.
Village Development Model
To structure the interaction of ACON with the communities we designed the Village Development Model (VDM) which consists of six activities. Components/activities of the Village Development Model consisting innovative and local based techniques to promote local resources and community mobilization as well as indigenous knowledge among rural poor communities within a specific time period, the purpose of the innovative VDM establishment is to promote sustainable rural development in far and scattered rural area of western Kenya.
The Village Development Model Activities are:
1) Women Group/Organizing CBOs/SHG
2) Women Adult Literacy Centers
3) Promotion of Useful Animals Breads
4) Kitchen Gardening at Household level using Biochar
5) Safe Drinking Water through Ceramic water Filter
6) Fuel-Efficient Stoves Cooking Technology
7) Vocational Trainings (Tailoring, Barber, Blacksmith, Carpenter as well as Rally making)
Impact of the Village Development Model (VDM)
On the completion of the project they can be able to run their own micro projects through village based CBO in their village and will be able continue the project activities. The main goals of this VDM are:
- Skills transferred among the beneficiaries.
- They will be organized and able to take decision on village level.
- Interfaith harmony will be promoted.
- Start thinking.
- Coordination/communication improved among the beneficiaries.
- Adult Literacy School will be constructed in their village and will be use full for subsequent generation.
- Schools will be used as a Place where they can sit/gather for any development activities in their village which previously not in practice.
- Reading/writing/counting capacity will be increased among the Women.
- Identification of their basic needs and wants
- Promotion of the marketing
- Long term relief from the money lenders.
- Improvement in health condition through safe drinking water, Smokeless Stoves and Kitchen gardening to getting fresh vegetable.
- Able to sensitize government to solve their problems.
- Strong linkages will be developed among the Government Department.
- Job opportunity will be increased
- Able to support their family
- Future will be moving towards saved
Results
In 2002 ACON has introduced the VDM model, through the base of some activities implemented in villages of Matungu area and results life changing impact in the community at Matungu area. After implementation of the said Model activities the Changes/results are positive, quite visible and satisfactory. The VDM model has then been introduced into other target areas and forms the basis of the ACON/community interaction.
