By Julian Doorey - BANZAid Bangladesh

I occasionally wear a CHE Guevara t-shirt.  But CHE also stands for ‘Community Health Education’ a much more revolutionary idea.  CHE offers a practical strategy, resources and tools for doing holistic mission, consisting of 1500 community development and spiritual topics in lesson plan form.  The CHE definition of development is: “Helping others (and ourselves) come to the full realization of our God-given potential.”  CHE contains many useful training topics, including: business and NGO development, community development, environment, agriculture, appropriate technology, physical health, social development and lots more.

In February 2010, BANZAid Bangladesh hosted a 5 day CHE introductory training for 30 Chandpur TCDC project staff in Chandpur.  This was the first real beginning of CHE after a 5 year gestation period.

To help evaluate the CHE training, one of the trainees (Sumon - Project Accountant) told his 'Most Significant Change' story...

For some time we had all been hearing that the Chandpur TCDC project staff were going to receive CHE training.  Most of us knew nothing about it, although two of our colleagues had received a little orientation on this CHE.  We were curious...

I learnt that water towers come in many shapes and sizes, however they all need strong legs on which to stand.  So it is with community development.  CHE describes six pillars of community development: (1) Integration - physical and spiritual, (2) Multiplication - reaching out, (3) Local ownership - self determination, (4) Local resources - sustainable, (5) Prevention - rather than cure, and (6) Teaching method - participatory and appropriate for participant / beneficiaries.  I realized that these six pillars are very important for genuine community change.  Those who identify and practice these pillars in life can transform themselves, their families and their community.  This got me thinking in new ways.  Now I am trying to think of all my life and my work in light of these six pillars.

I also experienced a new way of learning.  It was very participatory and suitable for adult learners.  In the past my learning has all been ‘teacher centred’, sitting passively listening to the teacher, the authority figure.  We learnt by memorisation (rote).  But CHE uses an interactive approach known as LePSAS.  Le = Learner centred, P = Problem posing, S = Self-discovery, A = Action orientated, and S = Spirit guided.  This approach is much more interesting, creative and ‘learner centred’.  The trainer stays seated and everyone sits in a group.  The trainer emphasises that the door to knowledge and skills is open for all.  Everyone in the training room is equal and has their own unique perspective.  People are encouraged to share their ideas.  Everyone can learn something from another.  As a result CHE taught me to listen more and talk less.  I will also never forget the hilarious role plays and dramas.  The training was for 5 days and never got boring!

I used to think the spiritual and physical worlds were two separate entities.  But CHE taught me the integrated relationship between them.  The spiritual and physical impact all of life – both personal and public, in the home and in the community.  As a development practitioner my work is to help poor and marginalized people to regain their confidence, learn something useful, and gain a few new livelihood skills.  CHE reminded me that along with the practical side I am also to share God’s love.  I can easily do this by showing love and care for people as we work together on the basic skills of survival.  Not only this, I believe that if we properly practice the CHE ideas, we can really extend the Kingdom of God and create a better world.  A truly revolutionary idea!!!

Click here to find a slideshow of the CHE course