When planning a meaningful intervention in an underprivileged community one might be tempted to think that creating jobs or ending drug dependency or improving education are the top priorities, and that a focus on building individuals’ self-esteem is a ‘soft’ focus. This blog will argue, however, that an intervention which focuses on building self-esteem may well be the most important, most effective and most far-reaching intervention strategy.
CASE is a community based organisation in Hanover Park, Cape Town, which serves the community through offering a range of development projects and opportunities such as skills training and counselling.
One such development project is the Men’s Project, which focuses on changing the mindsets of men in the community – the way they see themselves as men, husbands and fathers; the way they see their wives, children and work. Through camps and weekly meetings the men explore themes such as ‘reclaiming manhood’, ‘how to treat your partner’, ‘fixing it with your father’ and ‘men of influence’. Building self-esteem and self-confidence are thus two central components of the project.
John lives in Hanover Park, and was introduced to the Men’s Project by his brother in law. He has been involved with the Project for a number of years now, and says it has changed his life. In his view, the programme helped him to change his thinking in a number of key areas, leading to distinct improvements in his relationship with his wife, with his children, in his attitude to work and in his attitude towards his community.
John no longer sees himself as the dominant ‘man of the house’ who expects his wife to serve and obey him. Rather, he sees his wife as her own person with her own ideas and dreams, and as his equal. John’s wife was at first very sceptical of John’s changed attitudes and behaviour, but slowly began to realise that he was serious about changing his life – and so, changing their lives. John and his wife now make joint decisions about what they want in life and where they are going.
John now sees himself as a visionary for his family, a champion for his kids and an equal partner for his wife. In other words, he sees himself as being an important part of the family, with value and a specific role that only he can fill.
Similarly, when it comes to the community, John now sees up-skilling himself as an important part of being a valuable member and asset to the community; using his skills to benefit and help. At work, it is not only a desire to please his boss that motivates him, but he is motivated by a personal sense of wanting to improve himself and do his job well. He has also learnt to be aware of the opportunities around him, and how he can use these to up-skill and improve himself.
John’s life, the life of his family, and those he comes into contact with in his community have been changed as a result of John seeing himself in a different way. In other words, a significant contributor to John’s change of life is his improved self-esteem.
John is one of roughly 50 men whose lives have been changed in a similar way, as their self-esteem has been fostered and improved. This highlights the central role that developing self-esteem plays in community health and development.
Build this resource, and people are empowered to take advantage of and improve the other areas of their lives – family relationships, work, community and a sense of well-being.
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