Jessica A. Firlej 10/09/2013 UNIV 292 The asset-based community development model is possible because of a communitys culture.

A culture, as described in the article, is the creation of people who are seriously related to each other based upon trust. An asset-based community also recognizes the gifts of everyone in the neighborhood and creates possibilities from this multitude of gifts. John McKnight beautifully writes, By recognizing our individual gifts, capacities and skills, we can see that the neighborhood is a treasure chest. By putting the gifts together in many different ways, we open the chest and use its riches. Reflecting on this section of the article alone, I easily identify the asset-based community development model within my Global Brigades experience. In Ekumfi-Techiman, I picked up on the roles, the gifts that groups of people within the community contributed. For example, it was clear to me that the children displayed great respect for their elders, that they had the gift of livelihood and genuine happiness no matter if it had been one, two, three days without filling their bellies and lastly the gift of looking after one another. What amazed me most was watching the little girls sling their infant siblings across their backs and nurture them the entire day when their mother was away working on the farm. What I recognized was this gift of responsibility and how bold and mature these little girls were for their age. They may have only been about nine, ten or eleven but the way they looked after their one and two year old siblings surpasses any adult nanny Ive met. I was so greatly impacted by observing this behavior because the young girls never once complained of their backs hurting, or that looking after the youngers one was a burden today, rather they engaged the infant in their daily activities without questioning why

they had such a responsibility. The girls are serving their community by allowing their parents to work in the farms and producing crops to bring back home versus staying home and looking after the babies. The community shares this gift of responsibility; they all look after one anothers children and that is why their community culture is so strong and solidified with great trust. Another example of this asset-based community development in Techiman was the gift of the elders. Just as McKnight described old Josh as having a mind full of know-how about nearly everything, I identified how wise the elders of Techiman were. The elders were the ones that kept the younger people aware of their traditions as a community and taught them the Way of their culture. What I mean by this is that during our opening ceremonies, it was the elders playing the unforgettable music and if it wasnt the very young children on the dance floor, it was the elders showing us all a thing or two about how to move (ages 80+). It was fascinating to me to see how spirited and how pleasant the elders were of Techiman. I no longer have grandparents to compare these elders to however; I know that in the states we often associate illness and misery to growing very old. Meanwhile, the elders in Techiman may very well be infected with Malaria or severe tooth infections, but that not once was reflected in the way they introduced us to their culture in both the opening and closing ceremonies, filled with singing, dancing and laughter. I believe that Global Brigades as an organization uses the ABCD model in working with communities. First, the organization researches impoverished communities that are apt and willing to received help from the organization. Without this gift of willingness and openness to improve by the community, the organization would be unsuccessful in its mission. Being willing and open to change as a community is a great

gift of itself because it reinforces this idea of setting aside limits and focusing instead upon their capacities. By welcoming outsiders, the under-resourced communities collect a sum of connections. Each connection is an asset because it provides gifts that a community may not have been exposed to or associated with and can utilize to better existing conditions. We as brigaders represent an association. We all share the vision of To improve equality of life by igniting the largest student-led social responsibility movement on the planet. We are part of the mission that empowers volunteers and under-resourced communities to resolve global health and economic disparities and inspire all involved to collaboratively work towards an equal world. Through reflecting on this article I recognize how valuable this sign of welcoming by Techiman truly was. This welcome is the sign of a confident community that has nothing to fear from the outsider. As McKnight describes, The beautiful, remarkable sign of a secure community is that it has a welcome at the edge. This proves to me that Techiman has the power to become a healthier community. Given the tools, resources, and outside insight I have great faith that Techiman can grow into a healthier, safer and more successful community. I have identified the responsibility of the youth, wisdom of the elderly, and signs of welcome by the community as a whole as assets in the community in which I served. I was highly impressed by their unbreakable trust and upbeat culture during my time at Techiman. I believe that the assets within the community of Techiman meet the needs of the people on a very intimate level. Sure, they may not have the necessary tools or resources to advance their community, however they do have love, trust, and faith in each other, which in my opinion is more empowering for a group of people than any form of

technology. The people of Techiman have displayed to me how effortless it is to share your gifts with one another; you just have to recognize your own gift, count the blessings you do have and not fear to welcome strangers. As Pablo Picasso once said, The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose in life is to give it away. This quote speaks directly to the ABCD model and is exactly reflected in the community of Techiman. Techiman has found Their Way and is lived by each of its community members. Through spending an number of days in this community, I have been inspired to better know my neighbor, on a more personal, appreciative level. This reflection has challenged me to recognize my values, but more importantly recognize the gifts the people around me have to offer. It is easy to get so wrapped up in your own little bubble and remember the trite reality of, the world does not revolve around you. However, I am challenging myself to take time out of every day to recognize the gifts and assets that other people bring to my community here at Loyola.