26 Aug. 2022 Bangladesh
Assessed the status of the group and its members to develop a resident-led activity plan.
Each member's participation in group activities was also discussed.
In April 2022, members of women's groups supported by Hunger Free World (HFW) gathered for five days each in Boda and Kaliganj county for a workshop to assess the current situation. A total of 155 members from 42 women's groups, including Women Ending Hunger (WEH), a self-help organization working in the villages, participated in the workshop. The current situation of 692 members from all groups was assessed, and their issues were identified.
HFW has so far provided support the residents while listening to their opinions. However, in consideration of the fact that both the regions will graduate from the support program in the future, it is necessary for the residents themselves to work autonomously. Therefore, as a first attempt, HFW informed the main members of the groups in advance of the method of organizational diagnosis to understand the current situation, and we left the workshop to them to facilitate it.
Participants wrote down on paper the goals they had set for each level of life, such as "I can drink milk every day," "I can eat three meals every day," and "I am raising livestock," and mapped to what extent each member of the group currently achieved these goals. They then checked whether the assessment was appropriate, for example, "This person receives milk from others, so she may not be in a position to obtain it all the time. "
At first, only key members spoke up, but as HFW staff encouraged them to do so, they gradually began to involve other participants and facilitated the discussion. In the end, all members actively voiced their opinions.
Some members pointed out that "some members are still struggling to make a living, and they are not participating much in the activities," as they are well versed in the inner workings of the group. Based on these opinions, the workshop compiled 12 recommendations, such as planning to increase the income of members who are struggling to make a living, and collecting investments from members to conduct business as a group.
HFW will assist them in developing a plan to work together to improve the lives of residents in each of the two counties. In addition, HFW will follow up the group members in the implementation of their own plans and provide any necessary support.
This was the first attempt, but they came up with a satisfying analysis.
Each group checked with the other to make sure their analysis was correct.
Message from Bangladesh
When we first heard about the method of organizational diagnosis, we were not sure if we could do it ourselves. But when we tried it, it was not difficult, but rather interesting. Discussions in all groups were lively, and especially we seriously discussed on the degree to which members had achieved their goals. At first, I was a little confused to proceed with the discussion, but I tried my best to explain it to the other members so that they could understand it.
The challenge for our group is that many members are still poor and the group's savings are low. We are hoping to somehow save up funds for the group, start up a small business, and involve members who are not currently able to participate in our activities.
Kalpona Rani (President of Baniapara Women Group; Co-Cashier of Boda WEH Federation)
