Previous News
January 2012
January 15 to 24, 2012, a very intense week for the Guyana Community Life Competence (GCLC) team and for
With support of UNAIDS, 35 new participants from the Faith Coalition and from Guyana Business Coalition supported by ILO went through five days of introductory training to CLCP and carried out three SALT visits with nurses, students and the Ministry of Social Welfare. By the end of the training all participants registered with Blended Learning. They showed a lot of competence and understanding of the steps of the process, and came up with creative ways to interact and engage community members.
Congratulations to the 13 newly certified GCLC facilitators: Marissa Massiah, Shabakie Fernandes, Isha Jones Deane,
GCLC is now in full swing with the submission of abstracts to the International AIDS Conference (July, 22 – 27 in
Want to visit the GCLC friends? Stay tuned for the invitation to the International SALT visit to
Jean-Louis Lamboray visited the DRC at the invitation of Barbara Bentein, new UNICEF Representative in the DRC and Sylvie Fouet, new Deputy Representative, to attend the DRC team meeting to prepare its 2013 to 2018 program. UNICEF Officials from regional and global offices participated. Jean-Louis played the role of agent provocateur, focusing on the strengths of Congolese communities.
The presentation made by RDCCompétence at ICASA 2011, 16th International Conference on AIDS and STIs in
Our collaboration in the field with UNICEF will begin with
The Ugandan Community Life Competence Facilitation Team recently turned its attention towards the inclusion of older people in the HIV/AIDS response. In context of Partnership with WHO’s Department of Ageing and Life Course, with local host Health Nest, the team trained 10 facilitators from organisations and communities in
GLOBAL – Blogs translated in Russian
If you have been on Ning lately, you cannot have missed the translation of blogs in Russian. We owe it to Irina Marchitan, translator in the Chisinau event last December, and to her students of the
July 2011
Constellation welcomes new board members
The Constellation is happy to welcome its new board. April Foster (Kenya), Sirinate Piyajitpirat (Thailand), Phil Forth (UK), Louis Marie Butoyi (Burundi/Belgium) and Sanghamitra Iyengar (India) are joining Jean-Louis Lamboray who will continue his service as Constellation chair and MariJo Vazquez.
Re-organizing support to the Constellation
The Constellation needs your help. The Constellation Support Team is going through rough financial times, just like many country teams. Since a few months, the team members are volunteering their time to continue to fulfill the necessary support functions. We know that any crisis can be turned in an opportunity. Therefore, we are taking this financial crisis as an opportunity to revisit our dream for the Constellation, and to reconsider how we can organise ourselves to be more resilient. We need your thoughts and advice in further shaping the possibilities.
Agreement with Solidarité Protestante
On 14 March 2012, the Constellation signed a partnership agreement with Solidarité Protestante! Accordingly, AIDS Competence Process Facilitators in five Francophone African countries, namely RDC, Rwanda, Burundi, Burkina Fase, and Guinee; will facilitate self-assessments on HIV/AIDS with the partners of Solidarité Protestante. The aim of facilitating the Self Assessment Tool is to measure progress and to identify practices for learning together.
Excited about Community Action Day?
Imagine what would happen if every single community in the world would discuss in depth the local issues of concern? It would identify its strengths and plan to take action together based on these strengths. It is our great pleasure to invite you to participate in the Community Action Day (CAD) this year between 12th to 18th September 2012. For instance, young people in Bandung, Indonesia, will discuss their dreams. Last year Jeanne d’Arc facilitated the day with school staff in DRC. Ukeme met with 20 community members in Benin to build their dream and develop an action plan. Tricia from Guyana and Rafique from India facilitated the day with their own family.
Conferences
Community Life Competence at the XIX International AIDS Conference in Washington DC, USA July 22-27
The Constellation and country teams would like to know who are presenting their work on Community Life Competence Process at the XIX International AIDS Conference in Washington DC, to be held from 22 July to 27 July 2012. Accordingly, if you plan to facilitate a skill-building workshop on the Competence process, or if you have submitted an abstract for oral presentation, or you plan to participate in the exhibition, or in any of the satellite meetings, then do get in touch with Rituu B. Nanda rituu[@]communitylifecompetence.org . Also, if anyone would like help in writing up their presentations from the abstracts, or planning out their skill building workshop you could contact Mohamed Rafique at emrafi[@]gmail.com.
Upcoming events
Global Knowledge Fair, India: 20 - 24 November 2012, in Chennai
India Competence together with the Constellation team will facilitate a Knowledge Fair in Chennai.
June
'Connecting local responses' is in your hands!
The Constellation Support Team developed a Share strategy to connect local responses, share the inspiration and lessons learned between facilitators and communities around the world. We developed tools - like website, newsletter, online community, weekly digest, brochures, annual report. Today, we want to revise some of these tools with your help. We want to improve what we do and better meet your needs.
The survey takes between 10 and 20 min. Every participant makes a chance of winning a Constellation surprise package including a T-shirt and a set of gifts from Chiang Mai.
Transforming our challenge into an opportunity
Faced with a temporary financial shortfall, the Constellation Support Team and the Board proposed to revisit why we are so committed, who we really are and what we can do together to achieve our collective dream. A ‘Constellation Dream Team’ consisting of April Foster, Olivia Munoru, Sanghamitra Iyengar, Prince Bosco Kanani and Yves Charpentier, will support our collective thinking on these questions and reaffirm the vision and functions of The Constellation.
First Anniversary of the Memorandum of Understanding with UNAIDS
This month the Constellation and UNAIDS are looking at the first anniversary of their Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed in June 2010 by Michel Sidibe, Executive Director of UNAIDS and Jean-Louis Lamboray, Chair of the Constellation. After one year the MoU has helped concrete partnerships in Russia, Guyana, and Trinidad and Tobago.
Constellation Booth at ICAAP
Those of you travelling to ICAAP will be happy to know that the Constellation will have a booth at its disposal at this conference. Constellation friends are invited to meet around the booth and share their activities on Community Life Competence with each other and interested friends. If you have plans to participate in the conference and or want to contribute to the booth, kindly contact Marlou (Marlou[@]communitylifecompetence.org). The 10th International Congress on AIDS in Asia and the Pacific is taking place in Busan, Korea from 26-30 August 2011. More information on the conference can be found on the official website.
Community engagement workshop in Chiang Mai
From 12 to 15 of June, the Constellation was invited by the UK-based Wellcome Trust to participate in a workshop on ‘Community Engagement: under the microscope’. Gaston Schmitz and Sirinate Piyajitpirat, two Constellation coaches, learned a lot on how to engage communities in research. Gaston shared what he learned on his blog. “Do we want communities to develop a critical consciousness about all that is happening and the intention that each player has? Do we really want this or we prefer to see communities as passive recipients of our interventions? We know the answer in the Constellation’s values.” More on Gaston’s blog “Do we really want to engage communities in our research?”
The power of inclusion
19-22 June, Mozambique
More than 90 participants came together from 19 to 22 of June for a three day Knowledge Fair in Mozambique. Newly trained facilitators, the National Facilitation Team in Mozambique and visitors from Angola, South Africa and Belgium- all came together to share what they had learned to respond to HIV and disability. "I have truly never witnessed or participated in such a joyful and caring event. The interaction amongst the group, according to many of those I spoke to, came about as a result of applying the ACP methodology in their own lives," explained Bernice Roeland, from AIDS Response South Africa.
Member of the month: Life competence by being complementary in our role in day to day life
Meenal Mehta works with communities in India on issues like Micro skills, Infertility and HIV/AIDS. She actively participated in Community Action Day 2010 with her team in Manipur. This year she will celebrate Community Action Day on one of the villages in Ghaziabad to initiate the community in No-Scalpel Vasectomy acceptance.
Blog of the month: An aid worker's poetic journey
Jennifer explained the journey of her poem and how it will be part of the dedication ceremony of a Peace bridge between Catholic and Protestants in Ireland. The bridge is part of a wider EU-backed peace and reconciliation program. As Ian describes, “One side is mainly Catholic/Nationalist and the other has a slightly larger Protestant/Unionist population. A plan was realised to build a pedestrian bridge spanning the Foyle (it already has two motor bridges), which would practically and symbolically unite the city.” More on Jennifer’s blog
May
Learning from cross border migrants in India
10-13 May, India
IndiaCompetence facilitated a Knowledge Fair with CARE India, its partner NGOs and community representatives, who work with mobile population. Participants shared their experience on specific topics like Access to services for migrants. Community representatives, including the police and a group of rickshaws, shared stories of change in their community.
Pinoy Youth Competence is born!
28-29 May 2011, Philippines
Pinoy Youth Competence is the emerging strength of PinoyCompetence, the national facilitation team in the Philippines. Four youth organizations, 20 young people, and seven adult companions converged to share their CLCP journey, experiences, and plans on ways forward in Manila in May. They sealed their commitments with their colored hand cut outs on how they will personally contribute to the sustainability of their goals. During the Knowledge Fair, Pinoy Competence and India Competence shared their experience by skype.
Members approved the 2010 Accounts and Narrative report
25 April – 4 May, around the world
Eleven out of twelve Constellation voting members brought in their votes during the Virtual Membership Meeting that took place under the chairmanship of Dr. Jean-Louis Lamboray. They participated in discussions over email, in a virtual document and in Skype conversations. The members approved the 2010 accounts and narrative report which April qualified as ‘impressive’ and Geoff as ‘A well thought out document’.
Engaged Fundraising for Constellation activities
The Constellation will soon obtain the prolongation of its tax-exemption status for donations. This opens the door for Belgian Tax payers to deduct their donations to the Constellation from their annual tax declaration. Also, we will invite members from other countries to contribute if they wish to do it.
Community Life Competence and the private sector
A small group of Constellation members have started to discuss how we can bring the Community Life Competence Process to the private sector, and vice versa.
Interesting area's and first experiences mentioned are:
- SALT visits that bring staff out of their comfort zone to inspire them and to build a reciprocal relationship with communities
- Businesses 'sponsoring' the Connection between Local Responses
- Facilitation of CLCP in the private sector If you are interested to join the working group, please contact Marlou (marlou@communitylifecompetence.org)
Coaches nomination
Boris Alberda, from the Netherlands, has been nominated coach of the Constellation. Congratulations to Boris!
Member of the month: New bright smile in the Constellation: Khun Oil
The Constellation Support Team has a new member since last Wednesday. Khun Oil will be taking care of accounting and finances. The team here in Chiang Mai is very happy to have Khun Oil on board. “I wanted to work with the Constellation because it gives me to opportunity to interact with many different people and teams from around the world.”
Blog of the month: Reasons for hope in Japan
“The people I spend my time with here believe we must support people in Tohoku in building their own communities again. We must help create conditions that support them in coming together to have conversations that matter -- conversations which can host deep grief, deal with the practical matters of how to live daily lives now, and begin to envision and build a future. In some ways it is the same everywhere. We must turn to one another and become community again.” on Bob Stilger’s blog. More on Bob’s blog
April
Less crime and more job opportunities for our friends in Papua New Guinea
5-10 April, Papua New Guinea
The National Facilitation Team in Papua New Guinea, PNGAC, organized a Knowledge Fair with 22 participants in Port Moresby. Gaston Schmitz, Constellation coach, joined the team. Facilitators from 5 provinces shared about the progress that is taking place in their community, such as a decrease in crime rates and more employment opportunities for young people.
Sveta revolution in Russia
April 5 – 7, Russia
A team of coaches -Sirinate Piyajitpirat, Ian Campbell and Marlou de Rouw- joined facilitators from three cities in Russia for a learning event in Kazan. One of the facilitators is Sveta, a Young HIV-positive hairdresser who had to move out from her home village as people didn’t accept her status. Sveta and her team are now introducing the AIDS Competence Process in Russian communities.
More about the recent learning event on Kolomiiets Snizhana’s blog
Community Based Organisations working with disabled people use AIDS competence in Matola and Boane
5 – 10 April, Mozambique
For 3 months, the Constellation and Handicap International will work together to strengthen the capacity of 40 Community Based Organisations in Matola and Boane, specifically to improve their experience on community consultation and community based self-assessment. In April, two Constellation coaches mentored the National Facilitation Team in Mozambique to transfer the facilitation skills to new facilitators.
Using Community Life Competence to respond to Water, Sanitation and Hygiene issues in Suriname
9-21 April, Suriname
A facilitation team consisting of April Foster, Autry Haynes and Boris Alberda facilitated a learning event where the Community Life Competence Process is applied to Water and Sanitation in 6 clusters, including 15 communities. This in the context of a partnership between Constellation, UNICEF Suriname, Fonds Ontwikkeling Binnenland (FOB), Red Cross and Peace Corps. The approach of the Constellation blended seemingly with other community based approaches.
CLCP event on strengthening women rights
April 25-30 2011, Indonesia
IndoCompetence and Inspirit organized a training of facilitators to strengthen Women Rights, with support from GIZ (German ‘Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit’). Sixteen participants from different regions of Indonesia- NTB (Lombok) and Central Java (Semarang) took part in the event. Indo competence team learned about how to integrate Community Life Competence into Asset Based Community Development approaches. Read more on the blog of Wiwin
Member of the month : “I am always surprised by how resilient and compassionate people are”
April Foster is our member of this month. Founding member of the Constellation as well as a Constellation Coach, April has been working for the past 20 years in stimulating and connecting local responses as part of a facilitation team. You can read her profile here.
“I have been in thousands of homes and communities over the years, and have always walked away 'blessed' by the encounter,” says April.
More about April, member of the month of…April
The Constellation: Nomination of new coaches
Mike Nzenga, Toussaint Mukalayi, Junior Kalonji and Dady Delli from RDCCompétence, the National Facilitation Team in DR-Congo, and Autry Haynes, from Guyana Competence, have been nominated coach of the Constellation. Congratulations!
International SALT visit in Mozambique
From June 19-22, the Constellation and Handicap International is organizing an international SALT visit in the district of Matola, in the province of Maputo, in Mozambique. During two days, you will visit communities including disabled people who have dealt with the issue of HIV and disability, using the AIDS Competence Process. One the last day, you are invited to join a knowledge fair where facilitators and communities will come together to share what they have learned.
Download the invitation
Blog of the month: Health personnel is now living with HIV
Lyndon from Guyana shared: “I was given the opportunity to work with a nurse who is presently HIV for the past two year now, her problem is to coming to grip with the reality of her status, however, after about three hour she was willing to open up and discuss her problem, and even informed me that her collages at the hospital is advising her to leave her profession and seek a next job.”
More on Lyndon’s blog
March
Learning event in Borana, Ethiopia,
March 18 – 25, 2011
Constellation organised a learning event with partners of The International Institute for Rural Reconstruction (IIRR) to follow-up on integration of AIDS Competence into existing CMDRR work and jointly develop the conceptual framework of CMDRR+ from experience in application of this integrated approach.
MariJo was in Saint Petersburg at the beginning of the month, with a group of women leaders
4 March, Russia
On 4th March UNAIDS Regional Support Team for Europe and Central Asia organised an event following a Leadership training workshop hosted by UNDP in St Petersburg. MariJo made a presentation on Community life competence process (CLCP). 28 women from 7 countries in the region participated in the event.
Knowledge Fair in India
About 10 organisations and nearly 40 participants from all over India gathered in Kumta, Karnataka from 1st to 3rd February 2011 for a three-day ‘Knowledge Fair’ to share experiences about how they were facilitating local response in their communities. The Knowlege Fair was organised by India Competence and hosted by Samraksha.
Member of the month: “The most fulfilling part of my job is when I am with the communities.”
We have Yeruva Anthony Reddy as member of the month for March. You will relate to him and you might even share a similar dream as his. Enjoy!
Blog of the month: Being specific about strengths
Phil’s story sends me thinking. Being specific about strengths in our family: How do we accompany others that are DEAR to us to see their strengths ? I’m inspired and eventually i say i will try it to my wife. More on Abednego Mutungwa blog
Two days of SALT visits in Chiang Mai with friends from Madagascar
For two and a half days, 6 friends from Madagascar, 2 Belgian friends and two French friends did SALT visits in communities in Chiang Mai. They visited communities of PLHIV, Men who have sex with men (MSM) and former sex workers. "I discovered an approach where the community itself is involved and takes the answer in hand its own hands," said Mananarisoa.
Constellation Support Team meeting
21-25 March 2011, Chiang Mai
The Constellation’s activities are coordinated by a small team comprising of Jean Louis Lamboray (Chair), Marlou de Rouw, Philip Forth, Gaston Schmitz , Laurence Gilliot, Lawan Vejapikul , Atawut Reungtranont, Gaetane Gilliot and Rituu B. Nanda. The Constellation Support Team met in Chiang Mai between 21 and 25 March.
New coach nominated in March
Consolée in Burundi has been nominated as the new Constellation coach.
Update on Community Action Day
The following members have joined working group for Community Action Day 2011- Africa- Jeanne d'Arc (Cameroon), Ukeme (Nigeria), Namara (Uganda) Americas- Autry and Korey (both from Guyana) Europe- Olivia (UK), Boris (Netherlands) Asia- Wiwin (Indonesia), Laurence (Thailand), Roli and Rituu (both from India)
Please contact Rituu B Nanda at rituu[@]competencelifecompetence.org if you would like to join the working group.
February
58 participants attended the National Learning Event in Phnom Penh
The National facilitation team in Cambodia organized a learning event on 15 to 17 February 2011 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The main aim of the event was to share the concepts of Human Capacity for Response and the AIDS Competence Process to the implementing NGO’s. 58 participants from 28 NGOs attended.
Constellation members contribute to the 2011 Work Plan
Many Constellation friends contributed this month to the first Membership Assembly of 2011. The virtual meeting was held via conversations on Skype, on the Constellations virtual platform and in a Google Document. Members from India to Kenya, and from Belgium to Australia, were able to contribute thoughts for the work plan of 2011. “It is great to see confirmed how many friends feel ownership of the Constellation,” said Marlou de Rouw from the Constellation Support Team.
Knowledge exchange on Preventing Mother-To-Child Transmission in Millenium Villages
February 22-24, Nairobi
April Foster, Onesmus Mutuku and Luc Barrière, three Constellation coaches, participated in a 3 day event on Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission in Millenium Villages. They interacted with participants as resource persons and facilitated a session on the AIDS Competence Process. They also shared the way forward to integrate ACP in the Tanzania Millenium Villages Project and facilitated an interactive clinic session. “We haven’t thought about communities having their own dream and how to learn from their experience in our programming and planning,” said one participant.
Jean-Louis’ inspiration tour in Burundi and Kenya
1-8 February, Burundi and Kenya
Jean-Louis Lamboray, the Constellation chair, visited the National Facilitation teams in Burundi and Kenya early February. In Burundi, he discussed the implementation of a potential partnership on Peace Competence with Burundi Competence and local partners. In Kenya, he co-facilitated a SALT visit in Kithituni, a village North from Nairobi.
Member of the month: Ian Campbell, a visionary leader with his heart in communities
“People matter -no point in walking through UNAIDS or organisational centres of power unless the village voice is the middle of the conversation. And how else to know that, except by going out and in through invitation into the most local of intimacies in home and neighbourhood and connected community.”
Ian Campbell is a founder and board member of the Constellation. He founded Affirm and lives now in the UK.
Blog of the month: Circular Connections: Reflections on Rwanda from 1994-2011
When the genocide happened in '94, Kaitlyn was 8 and collecting coins for 'the children of Rwanda'. 17 years later, she goes to Rwanda and connects on a human level with young Rwandan who were also 8 when the genocide happened...
January
This year the focus for the Constellation Support Team is to ‘make inspiration flow’
18 January
During a virtual meeting on 18 January the Constellation board gave input to the work plan and budget that the Constellation Support Team (CST) is finalizing. “We recognize that local responses are the source of our inspiration. We therefore recommend to ‘make inspiration flow’ as a focus for CST work in 2011”.
Jean-Louis’s inspiration tour in the Great Lakes region
21 Jan – 8 Feb, DR-Congo, Burundi, Kenya
Jean-Louis Lamboray, Constellation Chair and coach, arrived in Kinshasa on 21 January, the first stop on his ‘Africa inspiration tour’. For 10 days, he learned more about the way RDCCompetence works as a efficient team. With the team, he met with representatives of the National Multisectoral Programme against AIDS (PNMLS) to discuss the ongoing project and possible prolongation. Jean-Louis explored other opportunities to apply the approach to malaria, WASH, family health and peace and reconciliation. Next stops are Kigali and Bujumbura.
Member of the month: “I help people to fall in love with what they do”
I like to live each day consciously, taking in the wonders of life (that includes you). I feel living means growing more intimate with myself and with others, each day. In daily life I work as a facilitator for organisations with challenges on topics like vision, relationships, marketing and communication. I help them to fall in love with what they do, because of its value for others, its focus and its consistency.
Boris Alberda, from the Netherlands, is an active member of the Constellation. He contributed greatly to the success of Community Action Day.
Blog of the month: Promoting positive living amongst people
Every single step we take as young people involves risk. We want to be like our friends, movie star, musician, not minding the consequencies of actions being it positive or negetive. I remember some couple of years ago, i was faced with a lot of challenges and responsilities. I never enjoyed my childhood, my mum left me in the care of my aunt when i was just a year and 6 month. My aunt never showed me motherly care and was always yelling at whatever I did.
More about how Ukeme became a member of the Salvation Army Facilitation Team
Ukeme also shared his story in the Youth Competence group on Ning. Please join if you are interested.
December
The pearl of Morocco
14-16 December, Morocco
The learning event in Morocco, supported by the Belgian Technical Cooperation, was a success, enabling new perspectives. Because we have practiced SALT throughout the event, a team was formed and is ready to take action. The Moroccan team is already very dynamic.
Is the Community Life Competence Process Dutch-able?
14 December, the Netherlands
On Tuesday evening 14 December, 11 enthusiasts came together at ‘The Hub’ in Amsterdam to get to know each other and share their ideas around the possible application of the Community Life Competence Process in the Netherlands. “We have to start applying the process on a topic that is of interest to us. Not some noble and distant ideal, but something we personally care for,” explains Maaike Van der Velden.
Re-think the Business Model for the Constellation Support Team
14 December, the Netherlands
Six Constellation members came together on 14 December in Amsterdam to brainstorm on the business model for the Constellation Support Team (CST). The Constellation grew tremendously in the last years and the CST needs to adapt to be able to fully support the starting movement. “We generated so many ideas in one day! But this is just the starting point of the reflection,” said Gaston Schmitz, Facilitator Transfer of the Constellation.
Community Action Day: communities share their strengths around the world
As we reflect on all that has happened over this past year, we are so appreciative of the opportunity to have worked together on Community Action day (CAD). The day ignited in us the fuel to inquire, reflect and focus on outcomes drawing upon our strengths. We thank you for sharing with us - we learned, we laughed and were amazed at the engagement and excitement that we heard from each other.
Member of the month: Ephraim, modest village boy blessed with many talents
I am that modest poor village boy blessed, who grew up from grass to Grace. I was born in 1965 in a small village called Guneku in the North West region of Cameroon. I lost my father when I needed him most at the age of 12. From then life became very difficult and challenging as I had to take all his responsibilities as a father. Presently, I am the project manager of Global Fund Round 9 malaria component for Plan Cameroon.
Blog of the month: Dream Building - Activity Programme for Peer Educators
We had organised a workshop for Peer Educators on December 20-21, 2010 bringing into focus sundry priority issues and plans of the target community at the Jhilmil ANCHAL Special School.
In the process of our discussions and problem solving exercise, we intiated a 'Dream Building' programme in the last phase of the training, for the entire gathering. We put forth certain issues and queries to the gathered participants. Read more on the blog
November
Facilitators help communities in four main cities in DR-Congo to document their progress
November, DR-Congo
“Since we made our action plan with our Community Based Organisation ‘Prudence Mobile’, we started growing rabbits. With the revenue of the sold rabbits we support People Living with HIV and orphans. Several PLHIV and orphans came out and we do not fear to discuss HIV anymore,” explained a member of Prudence Mobile from Mbuji Mayi. Three Constellation coaches and facilitators from RDCCompétence helped communities to document their progress and to exchange with others, in Kindu, Mbuji Mayi, Matadi and Kinshasa.
Communities moving faster than organizations
8-12 November, Ethiopia
In November, Constellation coaches had the opportunity for the second support visit to IIRR Partners in Ethiopia. They were hosted by JeCCDO in Dire Dawa and joined by SOS Borana.
After a community visit where in 5 minutes a community facilitator clearly and distinctly explained the process they use to help them move towards their own future, April Foster, Constellation coach, said: “In 5 minutes they had done what it took us as organizations several hours to articulate!”
Training improving UNESCO programme delivery and creating a culture of sharing and learning
23-24 November, Thailand
On November 23 and 24, 2010, Lawan Vejapikul and Jean-Louis Lamboray facilitated a workshop on “Knowledge Management - Training improving our programme delivery and creating a culture of sharing and learning” at the UNESCO Bangkok Office for the Asia and Pacific. 25 participants from various countries/field offices took part in the event. During the workshop participants set the stage for a Knowledge Management strategy in the region.
Community Action Day
Communities from Belgium, Cambodia, Cameroon, DR-Congo, France, Guyana, India, Indonesia, Mali, Nigeria, Philippines, Spain, Thailand, Uganda participated in the Community Action Day on or around 1 December. They build a common dream for their community, discussed their strengths and took action to improve the situation. Community Action Day is still ongoing so please sign up if you want to participate. More in the CAD group.
Member of the month: Olivia: passionate, funny and… oh so human!
I am ridiculously passionate about pretty much anything and everything - it can be quite funny and embarrassing at times because I cry in most movies, laugh at all jokes and tend to be hard to stop once I get going on telling a story. When I discovered CLCP and SALT I was so happy because now I can channel my enthusiasm towards recognising the strengths of communities.
Blog of the month: To be a friend: A salt visit
"I went out to find a friend, I found nobody but when I went out to be a friend I found many." John-Pierre shares how he becomes friends with a boy.
News from Member organisations: Training 2,400 youth on AIDS Competence
Ibrahim Kamara is currently training 10 facilitators on AIDS Competence for one of Plan’s youth microfinance project implemented with partners in Sierra Leone in the Western Area. The 10 national facilitators will in turn train 120 youth groups of 20 members each from now to end of March 2011.
That means by end of March 2011, 2,400 youth in the project will be trained as facilitators who will promote AIDS competence in their respective project communities. This number is also expected to increase by several folds by the end of the project in 2013. The anticipated target by the end of the project is actually 10,000 youths to be trained as facilitators to promote AIDS/Life competence in their communities.
October
Tears of joy at the week of SALT visits in Karnataka
Emotions ran high, tears flowed, tears of pain as well as tears of joy when participants shared experiences were shared. Nearly 25 participants came together from different parts of the world to share and learn from the communities in North Karnataka. The event began with a beautiful welcome song as Divya explained the meaning of the Indian Greeting Namaskar- I greet the God within you.
The magic of virtual human connections between Mali and the world
Laurence Gilliot and Gaston Schmitz, Facilitators Share and Transfer of the Global Facilitation Team, visited the National Facilitation Team in Mali. Together they explored ways to document and share the experience with local responses in Mali. “I am so happy today because I was able to join Ning and to share my story,” said Hawa Dramé, facilitator of MaliCompetence and member of AFAS, a network of PLHIV.
13 NGO’s in South Africa share their experience in Pretoria
13 NGOs active in the field of HIV in South Africa participated in a Knowledge Fair in Pretoria. The Knowledge fairs provided an open space for sharing of human experiences and allowed participants to derive common principles from their various responses to HIV, health, social development and human rights. The Fair was organised by the Catholic Organization for Relief and Development Aid (Cordaid) and facilitated by Ricardo Walters and Onesmus Mutuku, two Constellation coaches. “We are proud of the strong partnerships that are emerging locally, “said Leona Pienaar, Metro Evangelical Services.
HIVOS partners in East-Africa dream to be a “Network of excellence”
12 representatives from NGOs in East-Africa met in Nairobi to exchange their experiences on organizational capacity. They want to build a strong network in East Africa to keep on learning from each other and decided on actions to take together to get there.
Member of the month: Namara, the positive force behind Uganda Competence
“Uganda has always been an example in the fight against HIV. Our country managed to reverse the trends from 30% (1990) to 5,2 % (2002). But today the trend is going up again. I believe the AIDS Competence Process could help to control the recent increase.
Three months ago, I met with Stephen Alege, Constellation coach, and Prof John Rwomushana, Board member of the Constellation, to discuss the creation of Uganda Competence. We need to have our own secretariat to bring the approach to another level. With Uganda Competence we can promote AIDS Competence in Uganda and monitor the teams. That’s my dream, that’s what I want to do.”
Blog of the month: The Experience
“My organisation's tag line says "the experience that lasts a lifetime". Even as I sit and reflect on the AIDS Competence process and the process involved, it makes me realize that this will add to my experiences that will last me a lifetime. […] It is a process I believe that gives back to the community, it helps the work with the strengths they have. Too long has imposition been the game played.” Michael Mc Garrell, from Guyana. More about the blog of Michael “The experience”
“Look with caring eyes into our Constellation”
‘Mobilizing Resources’ was the main theme during this year’s face-to-face board meeting. The Constellation board and CST members came together in Brussels and Grez-Doiceau, Belgium, on 11 and 12 October to discuss the strategic directions for 2011. The two day meeting started of with a Peer Assist where Constellation friends were invited to help find ideas on how the Constellation can put its resources at work in order to reach our dream.
News from Member organisations: RDCCompétence in Action!
Communities throughout DR-Congo are taking action against HIV. In their newsletter, RDCCompétence shares several stories of incredible change in communities. In the prison of Kananga, more than 400 prisoners want to get tested. Pastors and village heads get involved in the HIV response.
More in the newsletter of RDCCompétence of July and August (en French)
September
Guyana Competence has its first pool of certified facilitators
In September the Constellation paid its second visit to Guyana. Coaches Usa Duongsaa and Gaston Schmitz had two objectives. Firstly they facilitated the joint UN team on AIDS retreat and introduced them to Community Life Competence. Secondly, they further supported the local pool of facilitators and officially certifying those that are skilled in all steps today.
Member of the month: Khun Suriyon, looking at people in a positive way
I started using SALT to change the way I look at other people, in a more positive way. From the past, when I saw drug users or alcoholic people, I always put the label on them. After I learned about ACP and SALT, I started to look at them in a different way and more positive and also try better to understand their reasons and conditions. When we change our perspective or our way of thinking, our behaviors that we perform will also change and finally, our way of working will change too.
Suriyon Sungkam works for the Interfaith Network on AIDS in Thailand, strong facilitator and member of the Thai ACP network.
Blog of the month: Paolo Freire and the Constellation
“At first I was sceptical, but now I am a fan. Paolo Freire’s thinking and that of the Constellation are very close. Actually they are so close that the Constellation was probably influenced by Paolo Freire. Who was Paolo Freire? What were his ideas? What ideas do we have in common? How and to what extent did his ideas inspire people around the world? I try to answer these questions in the blog and attached document, and also to summarize the different perceptions and extensive discussions on challenges and applicability of his thinking.” More on the blog of Marie Lamboray
August
A small but motivated group of facilitators spreads AIDS Competence in Cambodia
Five facilitators and one Constellation coach introduced the AIDS Competence Process to a group of eleven new facilitators in Cambodia. The movement in Cambodia has great potential because there is a facilitation team in place and support at policy level. “SALT will take a lot of time because we are changing people’s thoughts,” said one of the participants.
The Thai ACP Network is now expanding in all regions of Thailand
“The learning event that took place in Chiang Mai exceeded our expectations.
Not only did 63 people participate but they came from the 4 regions in Thailand. In each region there is now a team committed to coordinate and spread the AIDS Competence Process,” said Lawan Vejapikul, member of Thai ACP network and Constellation coach.
News from member organisations: SALT visits to keep the interest of team members
Eight team members of Kenya Competence Trust (KCT) met in Nairobi to connect and share the progress of Community Life Competence in Kenya. The team discussed about the partnerships it is implementing, like with Women Against AIDS in Uganda, and the opportunities that are awaiting in the pipeline. The KCT team also regularly does SALT visits together, for the purpose of learning as a team.
Member of the month: "The challenge is to overcome old reflexes"
"Those who use the approach should question themselves. There are always old reflexes that challenge us. Do not switch back to the old system. If everyone could act like this we could help communities to step out of their passive mode. "
Younoussa Diarra works for Pivot Group on the program of the Global Fund to figh
