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KNOW WHEN TO FOLD 'EM
Discussion Handout
You got to know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em, know when to walk away, and know when to run
Don Schlitz
One size fits all? No
The Community Empowerment Methodology is not a universal panacea and will not solve all problems. You have to mix, match and modify according to the needs and characteristics of each community.
A popular song, The Gambler, written by Don Schlitz and recorded by Kenny Rogers in 1978, has the above phrase in its chorus. Our concern here is to know that for some communities, you need to walk away ("Fold 'em, in Poker), and it is up to you to make your own assessment and judge when it is necessary to walk away.
An intervention like the CE Methodology is an investment. It takes resources to implement. As in any investment, what you spend is spent. If it is not working, do not think that you can recover the lost expenses by continuing. You have to cut your losses, and walk away. Look for another community to mobilise
The methodology will simply not work in some
communities. The reasons are many and varied: too many powerful
vested interests, too much of any of the five
factors of poverty, a legal
and administrative environment that hinders your work, civil war and
terror, security risks, serious language and cultural barriers, and others.
Be prepared for this and do not blame yourself if the community is not
ready.
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© Copyright 1967, 1987, 2007 Phil Bartle
Web Design by Lourdes Sada
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