Part 1: What Is Community Mapping?

Collaborate

A FORUM FOR GLOBAL LEADERS

CAFO Collaborate workshops initiate conversations about effective care for orphans and vulnerable children within local church and NGO networks around the world.

These workshops generate ideas to: • creatively share information • involve more churches and individuals, • equip local churches for more effective

COMMUNITY MAPPING.

In a June 2021 Virtual Collaborate DISCUSS session, over 30 global leaders from 20 nations brainstormed about community mapping projects in their cultural contexts.

COLLABORATE OUTCOMES

Global leaders were divided by world region for the purpose of this discussion. Given the unique nature of each world region and the indigenous cultures native to each region, the feedback from regions varied. Each group was tasked with the following question:

How would you implement a community mapping project in your community? In other words,

•Consider which cultural elements would impact your project. •Based on what was presented, what would NOT work for you? •Who would you NOT want to invite, but SHOULD invite anyway?

REGIONAL STRATEGIES

Asia, Europe, Middle East, and North America

Korean leaders are currently in the process of beginning a network. First steps include a Zoom conference where they will introduce many small organizations and map the work being done. After this event they will better know gaps of service.

Canadian leaders are implementing CarePortal in communities across Manitoba to allow churches to meet needs of local families through social service agencies. As a form of community mapping, CarePortal allows child welfare organizations to see where the needs are and connect children and families to available resources.

Canadian leaders identified the following cultural elements which would impact their project: • Differences in governance between cities and provinces provide for a challenge in a mapping project, particularly in cities that span two provinces. • Language barriers provide a unique cultural challenge in Canada. Networks have a unique opportunity to connect French and English speaking organizations through mapping projects.

Korean leaders identified a culture of nonacceptance towards orphans and vulnerable children within the church. This limits involvement of churches in the OVC space.

Both Korean and Canadian leaders expressed a scarcity mentality within organizations. Organizations are sometimes hesitant to share information and work together over competition for funding.