This resource is a reflection by GGSN supporting coordinator Jacob Okumu, on behalf of his organizing efforts with Tatau Kenya, to be included in the Leading Change Network‘s resource library.
This reflective piece is a case study of the Boresha Elimu Campaign, led by Tatua Kenya, which brought 1,200 children back to school in Ngong’, Kenya in 2014. This document highlights the steps, challenges, impact, and key learnings of the Boresha Elimu Campaign. It aims to provide insights into the application, adaptation and learning of community organizing in the East African context.
Processed outlined:
- Mapped stakeholders to understand the community, the challenge, and what change should look like
- Conducted a listening exercise to understand the perspectives of those most affected
- Held a community information session to share findings
- Three-day community organizing workshop
- Held a collective decision-making and strategy development session
- Structured smaller groups that included leaders, a team relations lead, and data management lead (someone who evaluates and reports back on how they are doing)
- Held in-school and out-of-school events and community meetings
- Rest and reflection throughout
- Campaign success!
Access the full reflection HERE
About the authors
Tatua is a community organizing institute, founded in 2010, that trains, coaches and models community organizing practices in East Africa. The program targeted activists, grassroots community leaders, community-based organizations, NGOs, and international organizations.
The mission of the Leading Change Network (LCN) is to build people’s power towards a more just, sustainable and democratic world. LCN emerged from the work of Marshall Ganz, a Harvard University professor, and leading thinker and practitioner in the field of community organizing. Today they are a global community with members and organizations from over 75 countries deeply rooted in community organizing, social movements and civic traditions. Their mission is to support the building of leadership capacity for effective community organizing through four programs:
- Leading Change Academy: Leadership Training Programs on organizing and Public Narrative for organizers, trainers and coaches
- Community of Practice: A global community that learns from and supports each other in organizing, training and campaigns
- Global Hubs & Affiliates: Regional and thematic groups within the network engaging in mutual support, learning and capacity building
- Resource Center: A repository of educational materials and practice documentation.
