“Reflect is an innovative approach to adult learning and social change, which fuses the theories of Paulo Freire with the methodologies of participatory rural appraisal. Originally developed in pilot projects in Bangladesh, El Salvador and Uganda between 1993-95, Reflect is now used by over 500 organizations in around 70 countries worldwide.” For more information see http://www.reflect-action.org/
In 1996 I was studying in Bristol, England, for a Master in education and development. One of my teachers recognized that I was very interested in Non-Formal Education, and told me about this very innovative approach to literacy being launched in March that year. I was lucky enough to be in London when ActionAid introduced the Reflect approach to literacy. Years later I started working with ADRA and we are using this very participatory and innovative approach in projects in both Sudan and Cambodia. Women (and sometimes also men and children) meet in groups - and not only learn how to read and write, but get a chance to analyze their own environment, and pressing issues in the community. This may include all kinds of issues from health, up-bringing of children, domestic violence, human trafficking, refugee specific issues, access to income, environment etc etc.
Because the approach has such potential, I continue to be drawn to it. Meeting women who claim that their lives have been substantially transformed, moves me.
And I just like the word: Reflect. I want to continue to reflect on life in order to learn more and hopefully become wiser. That’s why I chose the name Reflect for the blog.
Reflect is a very good holistic approach to learning life skills,social learning, mathematics and reading. Actually it reminds me of different teaching methods when you integrate and work with projects, arrange class meetings and work on storyline-like methods. It is much more than a teacher-student-parrot-method - as it encourages people to be thinkers and not mere reflectors of other mans thoughts. Gry.
ReplyDeleteHi Gry,
ReplyDeleteYour last sentence is interesting. Because relect has this double meaning: Reflect, as in think for yourself, but also to reflect others' thoughts. I guess that sometimes it may be good to reflect other's thoughts too, if these thoughts are good and wise. I know for myself that I will never be able to think everything fresh and from scratch. (I notice that you say "mere relectors" - and I agree that we should definitely not just be parrots...)