Module 1 - Introduction To Community Engagement: Lesson No. 1.1 - Understanding The Community
Module 1 - Introduction To Community Engagement: Lesson No. 1.1 - Understanding The Community
Action and change has an emphasis on social In view of the fact that engagement is a major
change through successive reflective action concern in development work, trainees may find
cycles. It stresses that the process and results of it significant to be guided by the following
research should be useful to community concepts;
members in making positive social change and in
promoting social equity Trainees should immerse in actual
community life to get to know the
Community engagement and models of social, political and economic
knowledge flow situation of the people.
Trainees may also undergo certain
Community engagement can delivered on one-
changes like increase in knowledge
way or two-way approach. Weerts and
about the social realities,
Sandmann (2008) provide an informative
development of good values, empathy
comparison of the approaches.
towards other people, improvement of
The Role of NSTP in the National Disaster Risk social skills, among others.
Reduction and Management Plan (NDRRMP Trainees should identify the
2011 to 2028 community people’s interest and
aspirations.
A plan which serves as the national guide on Trainees must recognize people’s
how sustainable development can be achieved resiliency and does not rob them of
through inclusive growth while building the their right to have community
adaptive capacities of communities; increasing participation and determination of
the resilience of vulnerable sectors; and appropriate course of action.
optimizing disaster mitigation opportunities with Trainees should be aware of the gain-
the end in view of promoting people’s welfare and negotiated sanction-the acceptance
security towards gender-responsive and right- derived from community coupled with
based sustainable development. It outlines the the right to conduct immersion
activities aimed at strengthening the capacity of activities.
the national government and the local Trainees must reflect on how their
government units (LGU’s) together with partner social analysis of the current situation
stakeholders, to build the disaster resilience of is concretized in community people’s
communities and to institutionalize arrangements lives. The analysis should have as
and measures for reducing disaster resilience of much meaning for the trainees as for
communities and to institutionalize arrangements the community.
and measures for reducing disaster risks,
including projected climate risks and enhancing Whom Do You Immerse Within the Community?
disaster preparedness and response capabilities
at all levels. When one goes to a community, he/she
associates with the people whom intends to work
Community engagement in NSTP is devised with as partners or allies. Community-based
as a strategy in molding and ‘conscientizing’ service projects must be premised on the
students just so that they may be socially aware principle of people empowerment and not the
and responsible to their communities. This ‘dole-out’ mentality. The parents, youth, the
manner of transformation is bent on training he differently-abled constituents, professionals,
youth to becoming civic conscious and defends members of people’s organizations, and other
prepared individuals. The nature of immersion formal and informal group, and others who can be
efforts done is along the dimensions of, but not potential collaborator of your projects or activities.
limited to, education, health, safety education, We do not just work for and serve the people but
sports and recreation, environmental services, rather we encourage their participation. This
practice of enjoining people’s support is adherent
to the Confucian’ philosophy of “give man a fish enhance experience in conducting asset
and he will live for a day; teach him how to fish mapping such as identifying geographic
and he will live for a lifetime.” Community coverage, point out resources and the
engagement is empowering the people towards use, and the relationships of people with
development of the locality. the existing resources;
establish rapport and relationship with
Conditions in a Community engagement
different people who may be of help to
It is so desired that one fundamental pre- them at some future time;
requisite qualification among those who intend or develop their conscientization ability, it
are tasked to undergo Community engagement is helps them realize issues that will help
a full understanding of the concepts and theories solve problems in the community, it is
behind the dynamics of groups and community. important for them to do something that
In the same breath, knowing the very process of can change their situation.
immersion is a primordial condition. This is so acquire first-hand experiences in dealing
because this endeavor requires a great deal of with community work; and
know-how and skills in facilitating interventions, the chance to learn life skills that will
planning and managing community service enrich and better their persons.
projects, among others.
Succinctly, community engagement improves
Training-wise,community developers/organizers the trainees’ understanding of himself in relation
and social workers are most qualified because it to others. And by understanding others, the
is assumed that they have more or less formal trainees can be able to give a part of himself to
background on carrying out these kinds of help others.
understanding. Volunteers in social organizations
and movements also undertake immersions. Most important of all, community engagement
They undergo professional training in is in consistent with the innate and ultimate
development work. Such immersion typically intention of helping people as immortalized in the
proceeds to organizing work. words that spell the extension creed by Dr. Y. C.
James Yen of the International Institute of Rural
As for NSTP, students enrolled in NSTP- Reconstruction.
CWTS/LTS 2 are mandated to undergo
community engagement for a period covering a The Extension Creed
minimum of 54 hours to a maximum of 90 hours Go to people.
as cited from CHED-prescribed Program of
Instruction (POI), 2007 edition. Live with people. Learn from them.
What Personal Gains from Community Plan with them. Work with them.
engagement
Start with what they know.
The community engagement aspect of NSTP
Build on what they have.
will be able to benefit not only the communities
served but more so that students-trainees who Teach by showcase but a pattern.
may be accorded with the following advantage:
Not odds and ends but a system.
opportunity for the trainees to
comprehend people’s lives because of Not piecemeal but integrated approach.
the chance given to them to see real life
Not to conform but to transform.
situations, live, identify and associate
with the people therein; Not relief but release.
gain social acceptance derived from
community relations coupled with the
right to offer services;