3-13
Step 1. Looking at and listing needs
To help a group of health workers (or villagers) plan a course of study or action
according to their needs, the first step is to have them look carefully at their recent
problems.
Ask each person to speak of his own problems and needs, both big and small.
Someone can write the list on the blackboard or a large sheet of paper.
Ask questions that call for specific answers, so that people discuss problems from
their own experiences.
LESS APPROPRIATE-
too vague
What are the worst problems of
people in your village?
MORE APPROPRIATE-
specific
What is the worst problem
your family had this year?
Although the focus will be on health problems, encourage people to mention other
problems and concerns that also relate to health or well-being:
“Our chickens died.”
“The crops failed.
“We had to sell our land
to pay our debts.
“My neighbor let his cow loose
in my cornfield.”
Before deciding which
health problems to begin
discussing in class, one
training program in the
Philippines has the health
workers visit different
homes in the village. During
these visits, they ask people
what they feel to be their
biggest problems and needs.
This way the community’s
wishes are brought into the
training and planning from
the start.
Talk to people about their problems and
needs from the very start of training.