Who We Are. What We Do at TONGASOA!
What We Do
- Tongasoa shares information for your mind, inspiration for your heart, and sustenance for your soul. We help each other as we strive individually and collectively to change the world around us. When we collaborate in partnership and community with other like- minded people, a win-win synergy can only result.
- Accordingly, what we do is defined by the context and circumstances in which we find a village and its people, what we are told, and what we observe. We do not know what we will do before that, but perhaps only an idea about our own limitations (e.g., funding, personnel).
- Once we meet, listen to, and observe villagers and village life, we will know what they want, and we will help them make a plan for them to achieve it. Maybe Tongasoa is part of the plan, but some of the plans will be village-only. Also, research and experience have suggested statistically that training, exhortation, and continuing emotional and spiritual support could be a part of many plans.
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Thus, in greater detail, Tongasoa would: Perform a ‘needs’ assessment for growth along the lines the community has expressed, focusing on established, stable state behavior related to key aspects of village life {finding, storing, and consuming water, eating, daytime activities, childhood education, worship, birth, marriage, baptism, funerals and so on.} and all evidence on gender inequality (arranged marriages, lack of participation in decision-making, participation in village economic activity, unequal compensation, physical or emotional abuse, rape, roles within the church and so on.} The needs of individuals will also be considered and woven into the broader needs of the community in approximate proportion to the whole these needs represent.
Collaboratively develop a growth and maturation plan unique to that village, crafted to address progress specifically in the community’s priority areas. In this and the previous step, see how Tongasoa facilitates community self-determination.
Once the growth and maturation plan is developed, Tongasoa stands by the village and its leaders, providing support in implementing the plan. Tongasoa takes the rigor of systems analysis and collaboratively employs it in an individualized, holistic, and humane way.
As appropriate, Tongasoa assists village leaders in evaluating the plan’s implementation and interpreting outcomes relative to the community’s self-identified interests and priorities. Then, if the community remains interested, Tongasoa can assist in modifying the plan and re-implementing it. Thus, Tongasoa does what it has been invited to do based on the needs and desires of the community being served. The form of our collaboration is fully determined by fulfilling the community’s growth and maturation plan. Tongasoa’s role of guidance and support is systematically relaxed over time to leave the community functioning independently once again.
As appropriate, Tongasoa assists village leaders in evaluating the plan’s implementation and interpreting outcomes relative to the community’s self-identified interests and priorities. Then, if the community remains interested, Tongasoa can assist in modifying the plan and re-implementing it. Thus, Tongasoa does what it has been invited to do based on the needs and desires of the community being served. The form of our collaboration is fully determined by fulfilling the community’s growth and maturation plan. Tongasoa’s role of guidance and support is systematically relaxed over time to leave the community functioning independently once again.