I. Meeting with the Elders.....

Today was the first day for the team to enter into the community and proceed with that pattern for four and half weeks; back home in Africa, we have learnt that Local elders/leaders are very influential. Once you gain their confidence and trust, the authority follows you wherever you go!

Today, the team (12), met with five (5) elders of the community, including a Catholic Pastor who provided the 'entry' point to the leaders. We had a fruitful conversation; and it felt like a 'high council' meeting. Women, men, children and other members of the community, watched from the windows and sat outside the door, listening as the conversation unfolded.

A Facilitation Team entering in this 'space' need to be very sensitive to the dynamic and flow of conversation to guard against wrong expectations, but also understand that this group of people hold the power to make things better or worst for anyone 'entering'. They listened, asked questions; we too asked and respectfully begun to explore the community life.

Dipali and Tribina (local team-mates who live in that community) provided stable ground for trust in that meeting. This was their 'most important role' in the entire process apart from application and implimentation after six weeks.

At the end of the conversation, they officially, confirmed invitation for The Salvation Army team to be present, and allowed us to work in the community as long as we want, move around with confidence; and ask them, for anything we lack.

They also offered us....

An opportunity to live/stay in the community whenever it gets dark. We also received invitations to their homes. In return, as we visited one elders home, he requested for prayers over a member of his household.

As a result of the conversation with the elders before the home visits and community conversations. The elders asked that the team meets again with them on FRIDAY in the evening. They will bring a few more people so that we can proceed with the conversations we begun this morning.

They found it helpful that we were available to be present and think together.