Progress (Spring 2016)

IHQ-ProgRes@salvationarmy.org

SPRING 2016 // ISSUE 15

A NEWS UPDATE FROM THE PROGRAMME RESOURCES DEPARTMENT AT IHQ

Programme Resources 1

Commissioner Charles Swansbury

Programme Resources

Go and do something!

International Secretary for Programme Resources

Go and do something!

3 International Projects and

Development Services

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Programme Resources

Capturing all projects

Building the team

7 Accountability Movement Impact Measurement

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recent report published by Oxfam1 indicated that over the past six years the total wealth of the poorest half of the world had fallen by a trillion US dollars (£694 billion) even though the number of people in this group had risen by 400 million.

During the same period, the wealth of the 62 super-rich (down from 388 in 2010) rose by more than half a trillion dollars over the same period to $1.76 trillion (£1.22 trillion).

The report also indicated that the wealth of the richest one per cent – around 73 million out of the world’s 7.3 billion people – was now as much as everyone else on the planet combined.

The finding has sparked calls for urgent action to tackle the mounting inequality crisis.

These staggering statistics reminded me of a poster doing the rounds a few years ago which indicated that if you have CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

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3 3CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 money in the bank, your wallet, and some spare change you are among the top eight per cent of the world’s wealthy. On that basis, even though I don’t consider myself to be particularly well off, I am within that threshold.

An even more sobering statistic I heard once was that if all the money in the world was equally divided among every man, woman and child on the planet, each person would have a personal wealth of around $5 million. Idealistic as this may seem, it is likely the case that the same half of the world’s population mentioned above would not be able to appreciate the value of such a distribution, nor have the capacity to utilise it effectively. As such, and within a relatively short timeframe, the resources would largely return to the present inequality.

Is there anything that can be done?

Helen Keller the American author, political activist, and lecturer who overcame the adversity of being blind and deaf to become one of the 20th century’s leading humanitarians, is quoted as having said: ‘I am only one, but still I am one. I may not be able to do everything, but still I can do something.’

However, how can we be confident that the ‘something’ we are doing is effectual in addressing these inequalities?

One positive initiative The Salvation Army has engaged with is the Moral Imperative, launched by the World Bank in April 2015. Ending Extreme Poverty: A Moral and Spiritual Imperative, noted that remarkable progress has been made in reducing extreme poverty over the past few years. And, for the first time in human history, the statement explained, there exists both the capacity and moral responsibility to ensure that no one has to live in extreme poverty’s grip.

Another initiative launched in 2015 was #UpForSchool, a call for action to show world leaders that there is a movement of people standing up for the 58 million children – especially girls – around the

‘An initiative currently being implemented within the Programme Resources Department, having been developed over the past three years, is the Impact Measurement workstream – part of the IHQ Accountability Movement.

The intention of this initiative is to better understand and, therefore, be more intentional regarding the worldwide work being undertaken by the Army.’ world currently excluded from school for various reasons. During a United Nations (UN) General Assembly, during which UN Global Education Envoy Dr Gordon Brown, former Prime Minister of the UK, presented Dr Ban Ki-moon with 10 million #UpForSchool signatures, The Salvation Army was publically thanked for contributing more than 70,000 signatures to the petition.

Also introduced by the UN last year were the Sustainable Development Goals, which have been recognised by The Salvation Army as a benchmark against which all our projects and development work will be evaluated.

An initiative currently being implemented within the Programme Resources Department, having been developed over the past three years, is the Impact Measurement workstream – part of the IHQ Accountability Movement.

The intention of this initiative is to better understand and, therefore, be more intentional regarding the worldwide work being undertaken by the Army. Within this issue is introduced Major Elizabeth Garland, who has been appointed to develop, coordinate and roll out a toolkit by which the impact of our work and ministry might be effectively evaluated.

Other commendable work of the Programme Resources Department here at IHQ, as implemented by many partner territories and commands, is also featured in this, and past issues of Progress.

Whilst the global work – and impact – of the Army’s worldwide ministry is immense, it is small, almost insignificant, when compared to the needs and inequalities indicated above. We could be forgiven for standing back, holding our hands up and wondering if what we do will ever have a lasting impact.

Nevertheless, as Stephen Grellet2, a prominent 19th-century Quaker missionary, is attributed to have written: ‘I expect to pass through this world but once. Any good, therefore, that I can do or any kindness I can show to any fellow creature, let me do it now. Let me not defer or neglect it for I shall not pass this way again.’

Perhaps it was this same motivation that prompted General William Booth to challenge his son, Bramwell, when the Founder had witnessed men sleeping under bridges across the River Thames, a stone’s throw from where IHQ is situated, to ‘go and do something!’ And, with the intent to maintain that initiative, intrinsic within the movement, Programme Resources is still striving to go and do something!

As was penned by Scott Adams3: ‘Remember there’s no such thing as a small act of kindness. Every act creates a ripple with no logical end.’

May the ‘something’ we each do, however small or seemingly inconsequential, be the start of something really significant.

An Economy For The 1% – How privilege and power in the economy drive extreme inequality and how this can be stopped, 210 Oxfam Briefing Paper, January 2016.

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Attributed to Grellet since at least 1893, according to Benham’s Book of Quotations, Proverbs and Household Words (1907).

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DNRC Newsletter #9, December 1995.

International Projects and Development Services (IPDS)

Benjamin Gilbert

Community Development Coordinator SPEA and South Asia Zones

Capturing all projects Developing a bespoke combined database

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nformation sharing affects all of us and being able to access it is vital to keeping us well informed and in touch, whether it is checking a bank account balance or uploading a photograph on social media. As the Programme Resources Department, we have the privilege of working with all Salvation Army territories, so effective global communication is critical. This is especially important when we are dealing with projects; often these are funded through donations that have been generously given to us to manage, so it is paramount that we have a robust internal

system for delivering them to the highest possible standard.

We are striving to improve our current system that already includes centralised databases for all Community Development (CP) and Mission Support (MS) projects. During the past seven years of managing these we have learnt much from sharing information across territories and have seen the benefits of how our work can be strengthened when processes are standardised, and shared lessons learnt are embedded into our way of working.

In order to further refine our internal

‘This will give us greater capacity to share learning’ processes we are developing a bespoke combined database that will enable us to capture all projects, including Emergency Response and Sponsorship in addition to CP and MS. Our aim is to create a combined system so users can easily see how projects relate to each other throughout the Army. This will give us greater capacity to share learning and strengthen our project offices across the world. Watch this space!

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Photos: Projects from across the South Asia Zone – strengthening livelihoods and empowering communities.

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Programme Resources

Building the team Introducing new members of the Progamme Resources Department

Major Heather Poxon

What is your role at IHQ? My title is International Projects Officer, meaning I am part of a team supporting community and mission projects around the Army world. We aim to support territories as they reach out to their communities by offering any technical direction and financial resourcing necessary. As communities and individuals encounter Christ in the lives of those with whom we work, we see lives transformed.

How are you finding living and working in London?

I live in St Albans, Hertfordshire, which is a beautiful part of the country. I enjoy working in this part of London in the shadow of St Paul’s and alongside the Thames. I’m not someone who likes to be desk-bound, which much of my work is, but this is alright because I enjoy the subject of my work.

What few words would you use to describe yourself ?

I think I am quite shy and don’t have a great deal of confidence in myself. I love nature, walking, reading and being with my family.

I enjoy my work and I think I try to do the things God wants me to do.

Ruth Samuels

Where were you before you came to IHQ and what were you doing?

Before coming to IHQ I worked in the United Kingdom with the Republic of Ireland’s Territorial Headquarters as Director of the International Development team. We raised awareness within the UK about the Army’s work abroad, and resourced community development projects in certain countries.

What experiences do you have that you will use in your new appointment?

I was born and brought up in Kenya where my father was engaged in rural development. Many of our family holidays were taken in places where he could visit projects, so I learned to eat any food and sleep on any surface! I studied horticulture in Writtle Agricultural College, Essex, then worked in the Democratic Republic of Congo for a few years with an agricultural project run by the Army. The focus of the project was beekeeping and tree-planting. In 1994 I was seconded to the first Salvation Army team to respond to the genocide in Rwanda and was involved in ensuring that people returning to their villages had food and seed in order to build their lives again. After these experiences I worked in the UK as a corps officer for 18 years where I think the Lord was trying to teach me to trust him. I also learnt about people!

Who or what has been the biggest influence on your life and why?

My father (Major Paul Latham) has been the biggest influence on my life as I saw the work he did and observed the real difference it made.

What is your role at IHQ? I joined the International Projects and Development Services team in April 2015 as the Community Development Coordinator for both the Americas and Caribbean and Europe zones. This mainly involves working with project officers in the territories that implement the programmes, and supporting donor territories as they develop and carry out projects. It also means I occasionally visit territories to monitor developments and to hold meetings and workshops.

Where were you before you came to IHQ and what were you doing?

I spent just over four years working with the United Kingdom with the Republic of Ireland’s International Development team as Project Support Coordinator. I started work there just after finishing my Master’s in Development and Rights.

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Programme Resources 4 4What experiences do you have that you will use in your

new role?

I have a background in social anthropology and research.

While studying I developed a real love for exploring people’s experiences and environments through visual media such as video and photography. Whenever I travel – and if it’s appropriate – I like to have my camera with me to capture and process what I have seen. I think photographs are an amazing tool in discussions and I would love to bring that into the work I do with colleagues and communities alike.

Who or what has been the biggest influence on your life and why?

My parents have been my biggest influence so far. They have always been supportive of my siblings and I, and have always encouraged us to follow our passions – often at considerable cost to their own time and money! They have been a great example of people who trust in God’s faithfulness amid challenges, and put others’ needs before their own.

How are you finding living and working in London?

I love life in London! When I first left home I didn’t think London would be the place for me: too big, too busy, maybe even dangerous. I was so wrong! There is always something to do or see. One of my favourite things about London is being able to access great food and culture at pretty much any time.

It’s also a beautiful city. I love walking from London Bridge to IHQ on my morning commute. Millions of tourists flock to London to see the sights I see every day!

What few words would you use to describe yourself?

I’m sure that ‘bubbly’ is an over-used word to describe someone friendly and upbeat, but I think it is pretty accurate for me! I would also say I’m quietly creative and committed.

‘I love walking from London Bridge to IHQ on my morning commute.

Millions of tourists flock to London to see the sights I see every day!’

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Major Joan Gibson

What is your role at IHQ? Since June 2015 I have been the International Health Services Coordinator, responsible for providing support and supervision to Salvation Army health work around the world. I have visited five countries to see and support the wonderful work in which we are involved.

Where were you before you came to IHQ and what were you doing?

I was in charge of the School of Nursing and Midwifery at Howard Hospital, Zimbabwe, and had been there since July 1985.

We trained three different categories of health professionals: primary care nurses (20 every two years) who would run clinics in rural areas; primary care nurses in midwifery (20 every six months) to ensure women in rural areas had access to a skilled birth attendant; and a 12-month post-registration course for registered nurses in midwifery (24 per year).

What experiences do you have that you will use in your new appointment?

Because I worked as a nurse and midwife in Africa for 33 years, I bring considerable practical experience to my appointment.

Before taking up teaching I worked in almost all departments of a rural hospital, including the operating theatre, pharmacy, outpatients, under-fives clinic, tuberculosis unit, maternity, general medical and surgical wards, as well as doing community work in mobile clinics. In addition to running many departments, I was Assistant Matron then Matron within the hospital.

During my time in Zambia and then in Zimbabwe, I assisted the nursing councils in many areas. In Zambia I was mainly involved in national practical examinations which took me all around the country and in Zimbabwe I was a member of the education committee within the nursing council, involving me in inspections of clinics, hospitals and schools of nursing and midwifery. This exposed me to a variety of ways of organising health centres and hospitals and provided me with a greater understanding of what is best practice. My work for the council involved me in supporting young tutors as they set up schools of midwifery around the country, as well as developing new curricula for a variety of training courses.

Programme Resources/Accountability Movement

Working under the Ministry of Health as well as The Salvation Army meant that I was constantly exposed to the latest management of conditions like tuberculosis, HIV and malaria, all of which are seen around the Army world. I was also heavily involved in a number of training initiatives introduced to reduce both neonatal and maternal morbidity and mortality. I hope to use these skills in the areas I visit.

I feel that all I have done in my life to this point has prepared me for my current appointment.

Who or what have been the biggest influences on your life and why?

Many people have played a great role in shaping my life, making me who I am today. These include young people’s workers and corps officers, but possibly those who had the greatest influence were Commissioner Paul duPlessis and Major Ruth Schoch.

They were both young captains when I arrived at Chikankata Hospital in Zambia. I was an inexperienced 22-year-old nurse and midwife, and in retrospect I am amazed that they agreed to have me! Both of them were wonderful examples of servant leaders, and they nurtured me both spiritually and professionally.

Somehow, despite my youth and inexperience, they trusted me with so much, building my confidence. Without them, and many other wonderful people God has ensured have been part of my life, I would not be who I am today.

How are you finding living and working in London?

This is the third time I have lived in London. First, from 1980-1982 when I was at the International Training College for Officers, and then again in 1993 when I was studying for my Master’s in Midwifery and Postgraduate Certificate in the Education of Adults, so at least some areas are not completely new to me.

Coming up to London each day, walking alongside the Thames and then crossing the Millennium Bridge always seems to refresh me. In particular, I really enjoyed the walk just before Christmas when the morning was dark and I could fully appreciate the lights along the waterfront as well as the constantly changing lights on the top of The Shard. So, despite the cold weather, which I am sure I will never get used to, each morning I can smile and feel uplifted by my surroundings.

What few words would you use to describe yourself?

I see myself as a quiet, reserved individual, who is more than happy to remain in the background.

Major (Dr) Elizabeth Garland

Impact Measurement Learning Coordinator

Impact Measurement

Interview by Kevin Sims

What does your role at IHQ entail?

Looking at The Salvation Army’s projects and programmes, to measure the impact they make. In some cases we need to ask – are we making an impact at all? We’re also building measurement tools.

Some territories have employed people to undertake this task, usually researchers either relating to social or projects. It is building on what is already in place, strengthening measurement within territories. The Salvation Army is good at collecting data and has been doing this for many years, but what do we do with the information we have? If we find a project that is working really well in one place but not in another, then if we can work out why it is doing so well we may be able to transfer knowledge.

So it’s trying to form those bonds internationally?

Yes, it’s not just looking into one country, one territory. It’s about connecting. For example, if we are measuring a programme in the UK such as messy church, and Australia and New Zealand also do messy church, could those tools be shared? My role is to be a conduit to help the sharing of information and knowledge.

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Programme Resources 3 3CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7

‘A lot of people will read this and think it only relates to our social services.

It is broader than that.’

The word ‘Impact’ is probably what needs explaining most. How do you measure impact?

Measuring impact is very complex. People have different perspectives of what impact means.

What we are saying is where there has been behavioural change or people’s lives have been changed – that’s impact. Maybe they think there is hope when there was no hope before. Things like that.

Sometimes, people think they have great impact, but if you ask those who are receiving the service, they may disagree!

What sort of impact are we as The Salvation Army having?

Are we doing what is required, or what we think is required.

Sometimes we think we are having impact when actually people within the community don’t know what The Salvation Army is doing; they just think of us as a group of people ‘doing good’. From that perspective we are not actually making any impact!

A lot of people will read this and think it only relates to our social services. It is broader than that. So it is the corps (church) programme, social services, projects, community engagement ...

For example, as a corps, you have a feeding programme. What difference is the corps making to the lives of those people that are accessing the feeding programme beyond simply providing food.

The question could be asked: ‘What other needs do the people accessing the feeding programme have?’

Some impact may come from social programmes. But even other endeavours, like messy church, can have an impact. We need to ask: what impact does your Sunday school, or even your Bible study, have on the people who participate?

So it’s not just practical ministries?

No, it’s not just practical. As I said, it could be Bible study or even the training of officers. We have to ask if we give officers the skills and knowledge to have an impact in their community. And the same for soldiers!

The practical aspects of impact are much easier to measure than Bible study or training. How we measure people’s genuine faith is very difficult.

The framework of Impact Measurement talks about people feeling Hope, Love and Trust. These are the three things that we would like to see in all programmes.

Does this approach even relate to headquarters?

I believe it relates at all levels. Even the Programme Resources Department needs to ask – are we being as impactful as we can be? Are we having an impact through our projects and emergency responses, in communication, through education, with health ministries?

From a faith point of view, would you see impact measurement as a natural outcome of our beliefs?

I believe it should be. The apostle Paul talks about him planting the seed, Apollos watering it and God making it grow.

Even in a spiritual way there is a journey and people progress spiritually. They may not be able to tell you exactly how, but if you ask them they can say they pray now more than they used to, or they are getting more out of the Bible than they used to.

Where this happens we can see how something like Bible study has changed their lives and that can be measured.

So you will be coming up with measurement tools that people can use?

Yes, but also if territories or other organisations have tools that they are willing to let us use, then we would adapt them for different contexts. I am not going to reinvent the wheel!

If we have developed a tool that just needs tweaking, I am not going to discard what has come before or even what a territory is already using.

I think that’s a common fear. People think they’ll have to do away with what they’re already using.

So what did you do before you came to International Headquarters?

I was the Second-in-Charge and Divisional Director of Mission and Resource - Social, based in Sydney, Australia. Before that I was in Southern Africa and Zimbabwe.

I also have a doctorate in public health, which included elements of impact measurement.

I have worked in other countries and have seen how approaches change in different cultures.

So what are your hopes for the next few years? What would you like to see at the end of that?

Firstly, I don’t want people to think this is ‘something IHQ are making us do’. If that happens, they won’t value the importance of it.

We have to be able to provide tools that are practical and useful. Tools that territories can use and adapt. I want to provide a place where people can access tools they can use or slightly adapt and adjust to their context. Maybe in some cultures some of the questions will need to be asked in a different way.

I suppose the main thing will be understanding that when we are reviewing something we always look at the impact, so impact measurement is automatically part of what we do. People should be familiar with the concepts and able to use them.

My other main goal is that I am able to link territories with others doing the same type of work, so they do not need to reinvent the wheel. We can all learn from each others’ experiences.

Editor Colonel Lisbeth Welander EditorIAL ASSISTANCE Kevin Sims, Paul Mortlock design and Artwork Jooles Tostevin PROGRAMME RESOURCES The Salvation Army International Headquarters 101 Queen Victoria Street, London EC4V 4EH, United Kingdom Tel: [44] (0)20 7332 0101; email: IHQ-ProgRes@salvationarmy.org Founder William Booth GENERAL André Cox COMMUNICATIONS SECRETARY Major Brad Halse

To subscribe to an electronic copy of Progress please email: IHQ-ProgRes@salvationarmy.org Published by THE General of The Salvation Army © The General of The Salvation Army 2016