Policy makers and planners often neglect local conditions and local knowledge while formulating plans and policies for their region. Consequently, when plans do not reflect ground realities, they fail and cause opposition from the local communities. Hence it is important to properly understand local beliefs and attitudes to devise programs that are sound, cost-effective and sustainable in the long run. An article in The Guardian discusses community participation as an effective tool for solving problems that are localized in nature. It talks about Africa’s sanitation crisis and how regions within the continent are dealing with this problem. Some interesting quotes from the article:
“Know the area, know the people.It is only through talking and listening to the people on the ground that we will be able to make long-lasting and sustainable moves out of poverty. This is especially pertinent when trying to educate people about sanitation and hygiene and bringing about a change in behaviour.”
“In many rural areas in west Africa, the practice of open-air defecation is ritualised and bound in tradition. Beyond individual differences, the members of a group or society are united by similar ways of thinking and behaving, and will react to situations in similar ways. Our research showed that reasons for resistance to using a latrine included beliefs that one might be possessed by demons, lose magical powers or live a shorter life. Some believe a toilet is meant only for wealthy people or that, if somebody feeds you, you should in turn defecate in their field.”
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