Money

Top of our list is money.

We could not live without money for we need it to pay our bills and to conduct our charitable development activities.

By the way, ongoing is one of a series of training courses under our Dr. Paul Hargrave Memorial Centre Human Development Project we are jointly implementing with Canadian Physicians of Aid and Relief.

It is on income generation.

We are conducting it in a highly participatory manner and using real physical cash as a training tool. Trainees are responsible for making all decisions on the menu and its costing within a set overall budget.

It is always interesting to watch how the trainees are animated and frugal when it comes to manage their feeding allocation funds. It becomes hot money!

The Financial Controllers of the previous day transparently handing over the group funds to the next team of Financial Controllers. The physical cash is counted to confirm that it matches the balance in the cash book.

A training technique we learnt from the late Stan Burkey in the most effective way to train Self-Reliant Participatory Development Change Agents. Loads of lessons best learnt by doing as opposed to via theory.

Food

Food is a basic need that we all need to survive. We cannot live without food. For many of our trainees the manner in which we handled their feeding during our training courses is a major attraction.

First, their food and nutrition is adequately covered.

Second, they learn hands on practical skills that are immediately transferable to their respective household level. Including the ability to feed well within one’s means; and in a manner that minimizes food waste.

Shelter – Housing

The nature of our work – training and mentoring – is best done within a conducive environment that fosters learning. Our centers – land and buildings – are a lifeline we would find difficulty living without.