> Setigiya Sabatili: Building...
Setigiya Sabatali: Building Power
[ Community Health Action Group ] [ Radio Bamako ] [ Hakili Community Center ]
Community organizing is the process of
building power. People define their own
problems, the solutions, and the methods they
will use to accomplish their aims. They
identify the people and structures that can
make change, and the best way to mobilize them.
When communities organize they gain the ability
to advocate for themselves in the future. This
strategy is effective, sustainable, efficient,
and wide-reaching. The Civil Rights movement,
women’s suffrage movement, and numerous others
relied on community organizing.
People
care very strongly about their health.
Using health to unite and organize communities,
MHOP brings local leaders and their government
together.
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"Smallness is not an impediment to fighting, only lack of courage is." Dogoyama kele dusukuntanya de b'a sa. Donkilikoroma dali kadi nyanibagato ye. - Bambara proverb |
Community
Health Action Group
The Community Health Action
Group (click to see
members) is the core of MHOP’s
programs.
The members of this
committee:
- evaluate the health needs and prioritize projects
- plan socially-appropriate strategies
- implement projects
- advocate for resources from the community and government
In addition to the CHAG, MHOP has helped organize and legalize local non-profits to:
- lead the new clinic (ASACOMSISOU)
- organize meetings of the neighborhood development groups (CCLDS)
- collect contributions for community projects (CRF)
- manage community sanitation (Sigida Jeya)
Radio Bamako: It Belongs to Us All
Rajo Bamako An Bee Taa Don
MHOP is preparing to pilot a program to bring slum residents' voices into the public arena via radio. Radio Bamako, launched by a grant from the Huntington Public Service Award, will create interactive radio programs to bring government officials and citizens together to address topics such as sanitation, roadway infrasctructure and safety, health and education for children, land rights, taxation, voting rights, and governmental accountability. The radio programs will include coverage of success stories and problems, direct interviews with officials and slum residents, live interviews with popular musicians and call-ins. The goals of the program are to increase civility in society, improve communications between governmental officials and slum dwellers, and help citizens exercise their rights.
MHOP is based out of a shared Community Center. The center was repaired and furnished, and is now used as a meeting and education center for over six local groups and associations.