To empower individuals and groups by providing them with the skills they need to effect change they want within their communities
Community Development is as successful as the model that is used. The United Nations defines Community Development as “a process where community members come together to take collective action and generate solutions to common problems."
Strengths of the model
the community identifies the programs they believe they need, not an outside organization
the model is implemented by the community, for the community
the program(s) are owned by the community
the programs support the health and education services, not replace them
How it Works
Community Council
- chooses to participate
- creates a Steering Committee to oversee the entire project
- establishes a budget and reporting process
Steering Committee
- comprised of community leaders (local community leaders, community nurse, school principal, keenly interested community members)
- self-identifies their most pressing needs (within the model)
- identifies positions that require paid staff and recruits them to implement the model
- recruits an appropriate number of volunteers to assist
- works with the Health and Education professionals in the community to support their mission
Staff and Volunteers
- implement the model
Childhood Now
- leads training with Community Council, Steering Committee, staff and volunteers
- assists the Committee, staff and Volunteers to set up and implement the programs
- provides on-going support such as training, access to expertise, materials, coaching, etc.
Nicky Potter
Executive Director of Childhood Now
Sarina Condello
Director of International and National Arts Program
Nicholas Mamba
Director of Programming in eSwatini
Damarise Ste Marie
Director of B.C. Programming - Painted Turtle Arts
Andrew Moyo
Team Lead - eSwatini
Kwasi Dunyo
Co-director of the Empowered Child Arts Conference- Ghana
Quentin Vitko
Team Lead - Painted Turtle Arts/ Sugar Bird
Sabee Shozi
Team Lead - Sugar Bird in South Africa
Clifford and Richard Ndlovu
Team Joy Arts Specialists - Zimbabwe, eSwatini
Thabiso Hashatsi
Community partner
Nelisiwe Khulu
Community partner
Julie Herbst
Event Director for the Big Little Caravan of Joy
Thobekile Faith Mthethwa
Community partner
Khosi Dlamini
Community Partner
Busisiwe Lorraine Biyela
Team Lead - South Africa
Phumzile Dlamini
Community partner
Nokubonga Gebashe
Community partner
Lindiwe Msibi
Community Partner
Gail Leger
Volunteer