From hunger to prosperity
True change is a tedious process
For years, I’ve supported the theory that a holistic approach in the NGO sector is crucial for transformative change. It’s more than just a belief; it’s a conviction rooted in the potential to comprehensively tackle poverty. My faith in this approach faced a test when Welthungerhilfe chose two Model Villages in India to see how far they could go with the theory under the brand NutritionSmartCommUNITY .
Elated yet anxious, I stood at a crossroads of emotions as the project unfolded. The elation stemmed from the confirmation of the long-held belief that a holistic approach, can pave the way for a sustainable change. But interwoven with that elation were threads of nervousness, a gnawing fear whispering, "What if this project fails, just as it has in the past, similar to the setbacks witnessed in millennium villages?"
Welthungerhilfe’s initiative in the model villages became the canvas on which the holistic approach is put to the test. As the project progressed, the comprehensive strategy emerged, addressing not only nutritional deficiencies but also providing support tailored to the needs of the villagers. This meant the team had to take a multi-sectoral approach to address issues such as education, infrastructure, and employment opportunities. Additionally, donors were not forgotten; the team took care to provide the tools needed to report the impact, creating measurable KPIs and a dashboard for transparency. This is way beyond the typical framework of Welthungerhilfe, such as Nutrition/WASH/LANN and enabling the government.
The measurable KPIs I’ve mentioned are important, but the true fuel for driving change is immeasurable: the team’s intention to engage in "good help" can be seen in the efforts thay have put in the ‘immeasurable’. Mobilising and connecting the villagers for inspiration and motivation. Empowering them to dream and pursue those dreams and engaging the youth to curb future migration. This would mean the team has to think over and above the indicators. This demands an agile mindset and unique nurturing skillset like that of superheroes or parents, necessitating unwavering passion for the job. This skill has no certification, and its impact can not be neatly quantified on a dashboard, and the results might only be visible in decades. Nonetheless, without these efforts, change is not sustainable.
Another important aspect is Welthungerhilfe’s decentralized approach i.e Leading from the back. With the onground heroes being employees of CWS and Darshana mahila kalyan samiti, two local NGOs. Their focus is on an agile mindset to make the villages self sustainable. “When leadership steps back, empowerment steps forward”. I can not stress enough how many things are done right in this project. The hard work has already begun to show results. The fruits of this transformation within the community will only ripe in the near future, but the first buds are already visible, and the growth looks promising.
Welthungerhilfe’s project is not just a success in Patan and Burudi; it is a beacon of hope. The team, led by Philippe, the program head, was able to turn it into a scalable project, applying the framework in other villages in India and in other countries.
These villages rekindled hope and reinforced the conviction that a holistic approach and agile mindset hold the promise of a brighter future. However, they also prompt us to question our societal thinking. Listen to the podcast where we discuss such questions, especially in part II.
