Community Needs Assessment Update:

Local Community children

Project Kesho began its on the ground work in East Africa at the end of May. Our program associate, Elliot Barnes, arrived in Tanzania to conduct Project Kesho’s Community Needs Assessment (CNA) of our target communities for our Summer 2007 programs, and to make the necessary preparations for the summer group. The CNA was designed to improve our organization’s understanding of both the complex nature of community needs and struggles, and the strengths present in these communities.

Elliot, Abbas and Joseph, the headmaster of Lundamatwe School. Elliot prepared for travel throughout the village.

Elliot worked hard throughout the month of June conducting interviews, meeting with representatives of the target communities, local school and government officials, as well as working out the logistical details for the group that would follow in July.

This summer, our team included: Elliot Barnes, Ian and Cathi Barnes, Amie Ptak, Matthew Watts, and Lynn Champlin. We also worked with local community member, Abbas Sanga, who translated for us and helped us make community connections.