an approach to community needs

Posted by Gila on December 13, 2012, 3:31 pm
75.247.141.65

I am a wannabe La Manzanilla resident which is why I follow this message board daily. I have read with interest and concern all the posts about the ambulance, medical inadequacies, fundraisers, families in need, children who can't pursue their education, abandoned and neglected animals, etc. I am so touched by the outpouring of care of all of you, and I empathize with the frustrations you are experiencing. I am also extremely conscious of the need for respect of the local population and not placing a neo-colonial overlay onto this special community. I think the key to fulfilling the community's needs is to prioritize them according to what each and every resident considers important. I'm wondering if maybe what is called for as a first step is a Community Needs Assessment to help create a priority list. This is a pretty straightforward process and could be carried out by a Mexican graduate student from one of the universities as a research project. A carefully crafted questionnaire could be developed and a process created whereby everyone is invited and encouraged to participate. Then with EVERYONE engaged, the needs could be addressed, one by one. My cinco centavos.

291

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