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Story Two

He raised expectations

by Phil Bartle, PhD


Vignette

Short stories to illustrate the principles

Kwame had one little fault. He liked to boast a little bit too much. He started working in an urban slum, where he held meetings to raise awareness about the empowerment process. Without even thinking about it, he implied that he would be bringing public water taps to the neighbourhood. He meant, of course, that he would be working to encourage and guide the community members how to organize and bring their own standpipes. He said it in such a way that the community members thought he would be doing it for them. He did nothing to counteract their assumptions.

When he started asking who was willing to do what, he found that no one was willing, for they all thought he would do it all for them. They were too tired and busy surviving to join any committee. When they found out he was not bringing the standpipes, they called him a cheat and a liar. He was unable to do any mobilising.

Note:
These stories are based on actual events. The names of people and places have been changed for the sake of anonymity.

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© Copyright 1967, 1987, 2007 Phil Bartle
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Last update: 2012.07.06

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