Jasmine's Place Issue No. 12 - July/August 2014 | Page 40

understanding of human rights and
responsibilities, as well as good
information - not forcing change but
giving people the time to learn,
discuss and own the decision with
their families, communities and then
their larger social network.
The Tostan model is community-led,
and its success comes through
partnership with leaders in villages
and communities. It is a very
commendable model. How did you
begin to build the trust that led to
such effective partnerships?
I think we build trust by asking the
participants in our classes in the first
sessions to identify their goals for
their family and community and
letting them know that Tostan is
there to help them achieve these
goals.
We stay in a community for at least
three years so this is not about
leading a short seminar where we
present an issue that is important to
us and then get up and leave.
We know that deep social change
takes time and has to begin by
listening carefully to people,
understanding where they are at that
particular moment, and then
encouraging them to think about and
discuss the new information that is
presented in class in relation to the
goals they have identified as being
their priorities.
Peace and security Work Group discussing shared
problems and possible solutions in Tendinto Guinea
Bissau. Photograph by Ashlee Sang © Tostan.
As the classes move forward, people
begin to see positive changes in their
lives as they try out new ways of
doing things. Slowly, over a period of
time, people begin to trust that the
new information is credible and
actually helps them to also reinforce
their values – because information
we present in the program leads to
better health, wellbeing, and respect
of all members of the community.
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