Addressing the root causes of HIV through a community development model

In April 2009, 32 community volunteers representing churches, schools, community organizations and neighborhoods throughout the city of Kananga, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, were transformed into community health evangelists (CHEs) during a five-day “training of trainers” workshop, conducted by Action Pour la Santé et Développement Communautaire (ASADECO).  The training in Kananga, the seat of the Congo Presbyterian Church (CPC), marks the expansion of this community development model.  Each volunteer trainer received a solid foundation in Christian community health evangelism and prepared a clear action plan that they will use in their respective community health (including HIV/AIDS, orphan and vulnerable children and home-based care) and development work.

Throughout the week, the participants received many valuable development concepts and strategies that will be integrated into their work as they assist communities in taking responsibility for solving their own problems and thereby achieving greater health and well-being in the general population. One concept includes the “four cardinal criteria” in planning a community-based development project:

1. the project must come from the community
2. the project must be by the community
3. the project must be in the community
4. the project must be for the community

The participants learned that when these criteria are followed, the community becomes engaged in efforts that draw from their own God-given talents and resources, rather than depending on the support of outside resources. This leads to improved local development and self-sufficiency and helps greatly to break the vicious cycle of poverty, which can lead to higher rates of HIV.

Participants will receive ongoing support as they go into their respective communities to apply the concepts and transform the lives of community members.

History of the training for transformation

Group exercise to experience concepts. Photo by Nancy Haninger

In May 2006, the “Training for Transformation” workshop was held in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. PC(USA) partnered with Global Health Action to conduct this exciting one-week event where 26 pastors, community leaders and health professionals from throughout the Congo representing the Kinshasa Presbyterian Church (CPK) and the Congo Presbyterian Church (CPC) gained the skills and knowledge necessary to become facilitators of “community transformation” focusing on both the root causes of HIV and the aftermath of AIDS. 

In March of 2007, the PC(USA), the CPK and CPC formed a relationship with the Christian non-profit health, development and evangelism organization based in Kinshasa, “Action Pour la Santé et Développement Communautaire (ASADECO) in order to deepen their previous teachings and have opportunities for developing additional skills.

In 2008 a steering and planning committee was formed comprised of ASADECO, CPK and CPC Training for Transformation leadership. This exciting countrywide alliance has plans to continue to support the current activities of their facilitators, train additional community leaders in Kinshasa, Kananga and Mbuji Mayi, while at the same time reinforcing the community-based activities that are already in progress.  A “training of trainers” workshop took place in Kinshasa with 22 participants.