Discussion Guide for
Transforming Lives Overview A F T E R V IE W IN G “Transforming Lives: the Story of Development in Samuye, Tanzania,” use
this guide to research international development and community empowerment, reflect on how the video impacted you, recall what you learned, respond in tangible ways, reach out with lifechanging help, resolve to follow God’s Word, and rely on His goodness and power.
Research »
DE V E L O P M ENT T HEO RY has changed drastically in recent decades. Decisions
around development were once made outside local communities, and programs were not always tailored to fit individual community needs. Today, there is greater emphasis on empowering those who are poor to be agents of change in their own development process. Communities need to plan, budget, implement, and own their own development, with outside aid as needed and accepted by the community.
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“ T H E A C H I EV EMENT O F SUSTA INA B LE development requires the integration of its economic, environmental and social components at all levels.” (Source: UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Division for Sustainable Development)
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“ DE V E L O P M ENT C A N B E INC LUSIV E —and reduce poverty—only if all groups
of people contribute to creating opportunities, share the benefits of development and participate in decision-making.” (Source: United Nations Development Program: Poverty Reduction, Inclusive Development)
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T H E P O O R EST PEO PLE in developing countries can spend up to 75 percent of their income on food. (Source: World Bank Policy Research Working Paper, 2008)
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NE A R LY 8 ,0 00 C HILDR EN under the age of 5 die every day from causes related to malnutrition. That’s one child every 10 seconds. (Source: UNICEF, Tracking Progress on Child and Maternal Nutrition, 2009)
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“ T H E M IL L ENNIUM DEV ELO PMENT GO A LS are the most broadly supported,
comprehensive and specific development goals the world has ever agreed upon. These eight time-bound goals provide concrete, numerical benchmarks for tackling extreme poverty in its many dimensions. They include goals and targets on income poverty, hunger, maternal and child mortality, disease, inadequate shelter, gender inequality, environmental degradation and the Global Partnership for Development.” (Source: United Nations Development Program: Poverty Reduction; MDG Strategies)
Reflect »
W H AT W O R DS, PHR A SES, A ND IMA GES come to mind when you think of “people
living in poverty”? (Discuss before moving on to next part of question.) Did your group’s responses portray an overall positive or negative image of the poor? What might be the consequences of widely held negative perceptions of people in developing countries? What kinds of solutions to poverty are we likely to support if our perceptions of the poor are overly negative?
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DIS C US S A S A GR O UP some basic questions about international development.
» What kinds of projects should development work include? » Who should determine the plan for development in a particular community? » Who should run development programs? If people outside the community, when should they hand over full responsibility for the project to people within the community? » How should development projects be funded?
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Recall »
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W H AT R E A L O B STA C LES to development did Samuye (Sam-oo-way) face? What
valuable information did community members gather about themselves during the initial community meetings?
A C C O R DING T O MR S. K IMA MB O , how has World Vision Tanzania changed how it
approaches development? What did they learn from past mistakes?
R E C A L L F R O M T HE V IDEO the specific examples of development work being done
in Samuye since World Vision arrived. What short- and long-term effects do these projects offer the community?
P R O M O T IN G GENDER EQ UA LIT Y and the empowerment of women is one of the
United Nations Millennium Development Goals. What role do women have in Samuye’s development? What positive change has the inclusion of women brought for the community as a whole and for individual families?
Respond »
S A M UY E IS R EA DY to continue the process of development without the aid of World
Vision staff and resources. Lucia says that “the changes have been slow, but they are real,” and Mrs. Kimambo (Program Coordinator, WV Tanzania) adds, “My hope for Samuye is that the biggest changes will happen after World Vision has left.” How can communities prepare for the long, laborious, and sometimes discouraging road of development, and how can we in other countries support their efforts?
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IN TA NZ A NIA , World Vision leaders use appreciative inquiry to help communities
identify their existing strengths and resources. By focusing on what their community does well and can build on, communities become empowered to envision a plan for positive change. Compare and contrast the resources, expertise, and background that local communities offer in terms of development compared to outside organizations. How can the two work together? S IN C E T H E 1990S, World Vision has used a model called Area Development
Programs (ADPs) to encourage community ownership and local management of development. An ADP is a geographic clustering of communities, each with its own local committee made up of men and women who work with World Vision staff to plan, budget, and oversee community development. What advantages are there to neighboring communities collectively planning their development? DIS C US S W H Y IT IS IMPO RTA NT for development to result in true transformation
of people themselves, and not just offer short-term results. PA G E 3 O F 6
Reach Out Consider making a difference in the following ways:
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P R AY DA ILY for those who are living in poverty and suffering from hunger and disease.
Pray that God will strengthen and provide for them.
S P O N S O R A C HILD through World Vision. For about a dollar a day, you’ll provide
your sponsored child with access to critical basics such as clean water, improved nutrition, healthcare, and education. Your gifts will help make a world of difference for one child and his or her family and community. You may also choose to sponsor an entire family for only a few dollars more. For sponsorship information, visit www.worldvisionresources.com.
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DO NAT E IT EMS from the World Vision Gift Catalog to help communities with
development projects that will benefit their children for generations to come. Gifts include items such as goats, mother and child health care, small business loans, fruit trees, school fees, even bicycles to help children get to school. Consider asking family and friends to donate items instead of buying gifts for you or each other. Visit www.worldvisionresources.com and click on programs and events for more information. B E C O M E E D UC AT ED about development theory so that you can advocate on behalf
of programs that will empower communities to break the cycle of poverty. There are a wide variety of books, development reports, and media resources available. Start at www.worldvisionresources.com to learn about the issues and how you can become an advocate.
Resolve »
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T H E L O R D WILL GUIDE Y O U always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched
land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. —Isaiah 58:11
E V E RY W O R D O F GO D is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.
—Proverbs 30:5
E A C H O NE SHO ULD US e whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully
administering God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. —1 Peter 4:10-11
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“ I T E L L Y O U T HE T R UT H, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say
to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” —Matthew 17:20
“ A N D W HAT EV ER Y O U DO , whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the
Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” —Colossians 3:17
Rely PRAY THAT:
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GO D W IL L CO NT INUE to strengthen local leaders to plan and oversee development
projects. Pray also for cooperation, enthusiasm, and vision to sustain the development process even in the face of obstacles and setbacks. L O C A L C O M MUNIT IES, charitable organizations, legislators, and government leaders
will find effective ways to develop poor communities so that all people can have access to food, shelter, healthcare, education, and protection of their human rights. NE GAT IV E P ER C EPT IO NS of the poor will be overcome. Pray that we would all see
each other as God sees us, and care for each other as God commands us.
The Scripture in this resource is from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved. During the preparation of this resource, all citations, facts, figures, Internet URLs, and other cited information were verified for accuracy. World Vision Resources has made every attempt to reference current and valid sources, but we cannot guarantee the content of any source and we are not responsible for any changes that may have occurred since our verification. If you find an error in, or have a question or concern about, any of the information or sources listed within, please contact World Vision Resources. Copyright © 2011 World Vision, Inc., P.O. Box 9716, Mail Stop 321, Federal Way, WA 98063-9716, wvresources@ worldvision.org. All rights reserved.
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About World Vision W O R L D V IS IO N is a Christian humanitarian organization
dedicated to working with children, families, and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. Motivated by our faith in Jesus Christ, World Vision serves alongside the poor and oppressed as a demonstration of God’s unconditional love for all people. We see a world where each child experiences “fullness of life” as described in John 10:10. And we know this can be achieved only by addressing the problems of poverty and injustice in a holistic way. That’s how World Vision is unique: We bring 60 years of experience in three key areas needed to help children and families thrive: emergency relief, long-term development, and advocacy. And we bring all of our skills across many areas of expertise to each community we work in, enabling us to care for children’s physical, social, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Partnering with World Vision provides tangible ways to honor God and put faith into action. By working, we can make a lasting difference in the lives of children and families who are struggling to overcome poverty. To find out more about how you can help, visit www.worldvision.org.
About World Vision Resources E NDING GL O B A L PO V ERT Y and injustice begins with education:
understanding the magnitude and causes of poverty, its impact on human dignity, and our connection to those in need around the world. World Vision Resources is the publishing ministry of World Vision. World Vision Resources educates Christians about global poverty, inspires them to respond, and equips them with innovative resources to make a difference in the world.
For more information about our resources, contact: World Vision Resources Mail Stop 321 P.O. Box 9716 Federal Way, WA 98063-9716 Fax: 253-815-3340 wvresources@worldvision.org www.worldvisionresources.com
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