- Introduction
- Study Area
- Community Mobilization
- Education and Health
- Employment
- Infrastructure
- Land Tenure
- Conclusion
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Guided by the principles of self-determination, empowerment, and sustainable development, both education and health are seen as critical components to the community development process in Cachoeira. The implementation of a strategy for action regarding the needs within the area of health and education seeks to find a balance between both formal learning (driven by external organizations) and informal learning (driven by the community). Taking into consideration the socio-economic situation of the people within Cachoeira, a major concern is the creation of programs which are not only attractive to community members, but how these groups can be integrated into their daily schedules
The challenges regarding education stem largely from the problems of illiteracy and low- enrollment. In Cachoeira 33% of the population is enrolled in elementary level education, however 65% of the population is illiterate. From this arises a sense of powerlessness within Cachoeira from not knowing how to change social, economic, or political circumstances. The strategies by which Cachoeira can address the problem has been inspired by the methods of the Brazilian, Paulo Freire, as well as other developing world communities.
It is apparent that the public school system within Campina Grande is not a sufficient means by which both children and adults within the community of Cachoeira can be educated. As an alternative it has been suggested that a grassroots education system could be established within the community. It is apparent from other cases that greater autonomy arising out of programs that are community driven, serves to eliminate many of the negative perceptions associated with programs over which they have little control (i.e. the public school system). Along with alleviating the problems of children commuting to schools outside the community it would serve to eliminate the negative perceptions which parents have of education.
The successful application of an education program is dependent on the availability of outside resources. While some members of the community may, with their existing levels of education, begin to teach children and adults within the favela, other human resources need to be explored. Teachers might include university students working as interns, NGO's, and volunteers from public schools. In addition to human resources a variety of school supplies would be needed to offer students the opportunity to use new tools and foster new skills. Lastly the development of a multi-purpose Community Centre could serve as a regular meeting place while also allowing a place for other services to be located.
The health and family needs within Cachoeira are best represented by the existing challenges within the favela around the areas of sanitation, disease, infant mortality, nutrition, substance abuse, and child and wife abuse. In tandem with organization of a grassroots education system a great deal of awareness needs to be raised in the community to promote sustainability, proper sanitation, and health. With the pre-existing Mother's Club the establishment of a health program is already on its way and with more education, trained volunteers, and resources significant improvements in the community could be made.
In addition to establish programs to promote health there is a pressing need to address the unsustainable living conditions of the favela. In this regard strategies need to be made to deal with the problems of the lack of food production, inadequate housing, the lack of potable water, and improper drainage systems. While some expertise and resources these projects could be constructed and managed by the residents themselves. Further elaboration of these initiatives is addressed in the section of Physical Infrastructure.