Using the Greenlight tool, our teams help communities identify poverty areas and facilitate discussions to help them organise themselves to leverage their own resources to solve their own problems.
To effectively combat and overcome poverty within our communities, it is essential to first accurately identify and understand the most prevalent poverty indicators affecting those we aim to support. This is why we employ a tool known as the Greenlight Approach, which empowers community members to pinpoint the specific areas requiring attention to alleviate the impact of poverty.
The Greenlight Approach has identified 50 key poverty indicators that are most prevalent in South African communities. With the active involvement of community members, we are able to diagnose which indicators are categorised as red (indicating a severe impact), amber (moderate impact), or green (minimal or no impact). Once this data is gathered, we collaborate with the community using the Asset Based Community Development (ABCD) Framework to develop tailored strategies that can be implemented by the community itself to drive measurable and sustainable change.
A critical part of this process is bringing community members together to assess the collective assets they possess and explore how these resources can be utilised to create positive change. It is vital that community members exercise their agency in developing and implementing solutions, as they possess an intimate understanding of their own circumstances and are best placed to determine what will and will not work.
Following this, all key stakeholders in the area—including businesses, faith leaders, ward councillors, and community leaders—come together to design and implement a strategy. The goal is to shift each poverty indicator from a critical state (red) to a less severe one (amber), and ultimately to a stable position (green) on the Greenlight Indicator.
While this process is not quick, the change it brings about is profound and enduring, benefiting not only the current generation but also those to come.
Our role in this process is to facilitate surveys, gather data, organise meetings, guide the process, connect with all relevant stakeholders, and provide ongoing encouragement. However, it is the community members themselves who drive the change, ensuring that the solutions implemented are meaningful, impactful, and sustainable for the long term.
At Love Howick, we empower communities through the Greenlight and ABCD approach, enabling them to identify and address poverty indicators collaboratively. By leveraging local resources and fostering community-led solutions, we drive sustainable change that benefits both current and future generations. Our role is to guide and support, but the true power lies within the communities themselves. Together, we turn challenges into opportunities, creating a brighter, more equitable future for all.
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