How To Build Community

How To Build Community
How To Build Community

We're searching for the planet's best community projects and ideas, and sharing what we find. Each month, inspiring stories and practical insights to help you serve your community, wherever in the world you live. A podcast and radio show from Tearfund and Arukah Network. Support our show and the work we do on our Patreon page: patreon.com/arukahnetwork

  1. How to break the cycle of conflict

    MAR 1

    How to break the cycle of conflict

    In this episode, David Couzens, Tearfund's Peacebuilding Lead talks about breaking the cycle of conflict and building lasting peace in local communities. David shares insights, stories, and practical steps for reconciliation and emphasises the importance of recognising shared humanity and addressing hidden hurts.  Realising our shared humanity:It is easy to dehumanise others, instead of seeing each other as fellow human beings. Reflecting on our shared humanity involves taking ownership for one’s own contribution to conflicts, recognising personal flaws and seeking to understand the experience of those on the other side. Communicate hidden hurts: David shares a powerful story of a woman from a Christian community in north Nigeria who realised that she shared similar traumatic experiences to a woman from a different faith community. Their shared common experiences made her realise they were not enemies, and they were able to reconcile. Successful reconciliation involves fostering open communication, bringing hidden hurts into the open, and creating a safe space for dialogue. Sharing personal experiences helps break down walls and build understanding between conflicting parties. Accountability and forgivenessDavid acknowledges the complexity of integrating justice into the reconciliation process, particularly the delicate balance of accountability and forgiveness. It is crucial for individuals to own mistakes and to find a way to hold each other accountable without further damaging relationships.

    25 min
  2. How to make access to safe water more sustainable – Part 2

    10/02/2023

    How to make access to safe water more sustainable – Part 2

    About this episodeGita Roy, from Bangladesh, helped to establish a water treatment plant in her village that makes saltwater safe to drink. The plant has had a positive impact on the village, providing people with access to safe drinking water and creating business opportunities for women. Podcast highlights The impact of climate change on safe water accessClimate change is causing unpredictable weather patterns, including flooding and droughts. These conditions are making it more difficult for many communities to access enough safe water. Particularly women and girls, who often bear the time-consuming responsibility of walking many kilometres to collect safe drinking water for their households.  Community-run water treatment plantGita Roy and a group of other women, with the help of WaterAid and Rupantar, played a leading role in the establishment of a water treatment plant in their village in Bangladesh that makes salt water safe to drink. The women worked hard to gain the necessary community agreement for the plant, and they are now responsible for its day-to-day operation and maintenance. Today the plant serves nine villages and has become increasingly profitable.The overall health of the community has improved and doctors are advising families to drink the water from the treatment plant to help prevent waterborne diseases.  Challenging gender inequalityThe plant has not only improved community health, but it has also changed perceptions around the role of women in business and leadership within the community. As well as running the water treatment plant, some of the women have started other businesses and Gita Roy has been elected to a local council. Gita says, ‘Having my own identity, earning my own income, and not depending on anyone for my needs is very satisfying.'

    19 min
  3. How to make access to safe water more sustainable – Part 1

    08/31/2023

    How to make access to safe water more sustainable – Part 1

    About this episodeCharles Macai, a water specialist with 25 years experience leading projects across Africa, shares about how communities can have sustainable access to safe water. He discusses the benefits of business-based approaches, and why it is important to collaborate with governments to ensure long-term sustainable access.  Water infrastructureWater covers 71 per cent of the world, but one in every four people does not have reliable access to enough safe and affordable drinking water. The construction of water infrastructure, such as boreholes and handpumps, is just one part of a water service. To keep the water flowing, good management, finance and legal structures need to be in place to make sure that the infrastructure is properly looked after and maintained. Water businessesHistorically, water projects have relied on trained community volunteers to keep water points working. But the large number of non-functioning water points around the world shows that this approach often does not work. Charles Macai discusses why this is the case, and why communities are increasingly moving from volunteer-based water management to business-based approaches.  To explain, Charles uses an example from South Sudan where a legally-recognised cooperative of trained mechanics enters into agreements with communities to manage their water systems. The communities develop payment structures based on what people can afford, as well as the service that is being provided.  Working with governments Charles goes on to discuss why organisations and projects should align with, and contribute to, government plans for water provision when possible.  In light of the many challenges associated with climate change, such collaborations will help to ensure the long-term sustainability of community water supplies.

    20 min

About

We're searching for the planet's best community projects and ideas, and sharing what we find. Each month, inspiring stories and practical insights to help you serve your community, wherever in the world you live. A podcast and radio show from Tearfund and Arukah Network. Support our show and the work we do on our Patreon page: patreon.com/arukahnetwork

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