STO’s, Youth Development Officers & Volunteers Sharpen their Skills on Community Mapping Methodologies
Tuesday, July 11, 2023
by Ministry of Equity
SOME FORTY (40) FIELD OFFICERS FROM THE MINISTRY OF EQUITY, SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT AND THE MINISTRY OF YOUTH DEVELOPMENT AND SPORTS, ACCOMPANIED BY YOUTH VOLUNTEERS, HAVE BEGUN TRAINING IN CONDUCTING TEST RUNS OF THE COMMUNITY MAPPING METHODOLOGY.

Some forty (40) field officers from the Ministry of Equity, Social Justice and Empowerment and the Ministry of Youth Development and Sports, accompanied by youth volunteers, have begun training in conducting test runs of the Community Mapping methodology.

From July 4–6, 2023, participants underwent rigorous training in an effort to familiarize themselves with the new technology that will soon see them out in the field for five days collecting data from community residents, to create community profiles and community asset maps.

“From july10 – 14, 2023, household heads are being invited to respond to a 15-minute survey. In that survey, our teams of seven comprising ministry officers and volunteers will seek to capture data on unique sociodemographic and socioeconomic characteristics, behaviors, attitudes, culture, values, youth issues, and needs,” noted Deputy Director for Social Transformation with responsibility for Community Development Kendal Elva.

In an effort to get at the most accurate information, community residents will be invited to a one-day workshop to help develop their own community asset maps.  These maps will reflect local assets within the communities, key physical features and gathering spaces as well as where human and social capital exists.  The workshops will be held on Monday, July 24 in Vieux-Fort and Anse La Raye, and on Tuesday, July 25 in Castries and Gros Islet. 

According to Elva, "Residents know their own communities best, and we hope that this critical and up to date information will now better guide social transformation officers and their counterparts from the Ministry of Youth Development and Sports in creating tailor-made interventions that more adequately and precisely address the needs of persons in those communities.”

The overall activity is implemented by USAID's Youth Resilience, Inclusion and Empowerment Program (Y-RIE) and the Ministry of Equity, Social Justice and Empowerment, and forms part of strategies at reducing youth crime and violence in Vieux-Fort, Castries Central, Anse La Raye/Canaries and Gros Islet.