Action-theatre
When people go to a training, they go with their brain more than with their heart. They receive much information and advice, but it is far from common this leads to a change in attitudes...
Sports festival on the 31st May
The 31st May is anti-tobacco day (WHO). Bicycle races, then competition for the slowest cycle without putting one's foot on the ground!, and for many many others, a nice drive. Every years tens of thousands participate.
Very few women smoke, but half of the men do. One estimate the men in a typical district of 100.000 people spend the equivalent of the construction cost for a fully equipped class room... every single day!
Development is fun
Community development is first of all a matter of heart. Too much is said about trainings, transfer of information and techniques, a question of logic... while what really makes a community move and change attitudes are people's feelings and passions.
In all our programs there is a deliberate priority for fun, plays, shows, festivities. Action-theatre, mass events for the anti-tobacco day, running for solidarity, and even... a competition between communes, for the one with the highest proportion of medical staff who have a... clean latrine at home!
Racing against the cigarette
In the Mekong delta there are not many roads, but rivers and canals. People love boat races! The anti-tobacco day is yet another excelent pretext. There are even teams from other provinces who join.