SELF CARE VERSES COLLECTIVE CARE in shifting the power
The concept of shift the power is rapidly taking over the old development approaches. Grassroot organizations for a long time were put behind the scenes yet implementing most of the development initiatives while under the control of the “big” donor attached organizations. Mostly grassroot organizations work under the mercy and control of the big organizations with no hands on or knowledge of the full project funding. Reports, monitoring and evaluation dictated and summed up by their masters. The encounter of professionals from the masters to capacity build and mentor the grassroot organizations was nonexistent and in cases where it existed it was a formality enshrined in the terms from the donor agency!
A keen analysis of this approach depicts a clear norm of self-care (preservation, ceiling and defense). A clear glass ceiling where those at the grassroots can only peep at the development philanthropy through the eyes of the big organizations whom the philanthropists trust and believe in.
This way the community resources (physical, intellectual) are overlooked. Besides big oversight organizations emphasize that knowledge and guidelines can only be trickled from the top to the bottom overlooking or ignoring the resources that lie at the grassroots. Keenly thinking, these are symptoms of self-care, preservation, domination and the need to remain relevant. Ultimately, development is compromised and the dependency syndrome and poverty cycle perpetuated.
Well, I could be wrong if I say the notion of self-care is a perpetuation of capitalism which continues to bring more division and gaps in development? While capitalism is justified as “good”, lets ponder about what balance or fairness it produces. In the agenda of self-care at personal or organizational level, what are the outcomes? What would benefit a boss who takes leave and goes on holiday because of burn out yet the his or her juniors whom the boss depends on for the big implementation and results have no breaks or given time to unwind?
This should be reflected also through the global organizations against grassroot organizations, what good has it brought creating a glass ceiling for grassroots organizations through (ceilings/ blockades in terms of lack of policies, in adequate due diligence, academic qualifications, buffer nets, lack of capacity). In terms of resources, what good does the donor derive in supporting activities day in day out without minding the growth of the beneficiaries?
Without minding how the beneficiaries can also contribute in any way possible to the development agenda? Without questioning what the grassroot beneficiaries have to bring to the table and contribute meaningfully to the common good? If such questions don’t cross the minds of the development philanthropists, then; will I be wrong to say there is an underlying self-care/preservation? Has the self-preservation then brought about positive change in targeted development projects? Food for thought! In Kenya, why are informal settlements still mushrooming despite the many donors’ support?!!
It is time to shift the power!! Let’s move away from self-care and embrace collective care. In an effort to help me, empower me to help myself as well. That way, you easy your burden on me while I strive to easy my own burden thus easing your burden as well. Precisely, lets mind each other, recognize, appreciate, enhance and utilize each other’s input. If not half-half, then ¾ and ¼ deal.
That way, we all take ownership and hold each other’s hand. Otherwise, the struggle by one party reaching the grassroots wasting lots of resources along the way, experiencing fatigue and burn out; and the struggle of the other party to reach the top (which the ceilings of self-care and preservation are so tight and won’t allow) means end game to meaningful outcomes is a comic! Collective care is a half-half game that brings mutual benefits. Let’s shift the power! Shifting the power is the better option!
#ShiftThePower #ShiftingThePower
Author: Musimbi Epillose (MA Community Development)
