REFLECT Approach and It's Impact

THE IMPACT OF REFLECT APPROACH TO EMPOWER DISADVANTAGE PEOPLE: AN INITIATIVE OF ACTIONAID BANGLADESH

ABSTRACT

1. INTRODUCTION

REFLECT is an innovative approach to empower adult which bring social change. REFLECT enables people to plan their development activities based on local reality. It also enable people to get themselves involved in life oriented actions through attainment of empowerment skills. Besides this approach gives the people a strength for raising voice against injustice and inequality that exists in the society. The prime goal of REFLECT is to link education particularly literacy to the empowerment and socio-economic development of poor and marginalized people. The main objectives of REFLECT approach is to provide communicative, empowering and livelihood skills to the illiterate poor people for poverty alleviation and sustainable development through social change. The REFLECT process is a 24 months program comprising a three month preparatory period named as Pre-circle, a 9 months basic circle period, and 12 month post-circle period. The 24 months program is followed by continuing education program through Lokokendra(LK). REFLECT is a very different types of Learning focus than schooling.

2. GOALS and OBJECTIVES

The objectives of this study were –2.1 To find out the literacy skills of the participants of REFLECT Circle (RC) and

Lokokendra (LK- REFLECT participant’s organization to continue the REFLECT process).

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This paper is the outcome of the study “Impact of REFLECT Approach to empower the Beneficiaries of ActionAid Bangladesh (AAB)”. The main objective of the study was to find out the impact of REFLECT approach to empower the program participants of AAB. Empowerment is continues process that helps the marginalized people to improve their condition. If the poor and marginalized people change their condition it’s a great impact on the society. That’s why empowerment refers to increasing the spiritual, political, social or economic strength of individual and communities. This paper based on a paper-pencil test, structured interview and questionnaire based survey of the program participants of AAB. This survey shows that a radical change has occur in the program participants and that has a great influence on the society. This paper also draws a few recommendations for the further development of the present condition of the participants.

This paper is the outcome of the study “Impact of REFLECT Approach to empower the Beneficiaries of ActionAid Bangladesh (AAB)”. The main objective of the study was to find out the impact of REFLECT approach to empower the program participants of AAB. Empowerment is continues process that helps the marginalized people to improve their condition. If the poor and marginalized people change their condition it’s a great impact on the society. That’s why empowerment refers to increasing the spiritual, political, social or economic strength of individual and communities. This paper based on a paper-pencil test, structured interview and questionnaire based survey of the program participants of AAB. This survey shows that a radical change has occur in the program participants and that has a great influence on the society. This paper also draws a few recommendations for the further development of the present condition of the participants.

2.2 To find out the participants state of awareness about their basic rights.2.3 To identify the status of participants’ participation in social work.2.4 To asses the participants’ involvement in any economic activities.2.5 To find out over all impact of REFLECT approach on the society.

3. SIGNIFICANCE

After freedom it was expected that the poor and oppressed people would regain their proper rights and would be able to leave a life with honor. But the expectations were not achieved. Till today most of the people are even unaware about their rights so that they can’t claim. Their issues do not get priority in discussion. Thus people deprived from their rights. The main objectives of this study REFLECT is to empower the impoverished and marginalized people. This empowerment needs to be followed by some steps, such as diagnosing problems, define their connotations and systematic process, is an innovative approach as it founds the foundation of empowerment in people. Here education should plays a crucial role which is different from the traditional type of education through which the change can be made. REFLECT exercises that type of education that enlighten and educated society followed by social and political stability and proper justice. Reflective education begins working by selecting problems. So, it is seen practically that reflection is needed for the proper empowerment of impoverished population.Today REFLECT approach, introduced by AAB, has been achieving increasing popularity as a procedure of problem solving education method. Beside Bangladesh AA is working on it about 42 countries with 350 partner organizations. As it is a popular program and playing a very significant role it is very important to find out the effect of REFLECT approach as an effective problem solving method for improving and empowering our poor people.

4. METHODOLOGY

4.1 Sample of the Study:Six REFLECT Implementing Organizations (RIO) were selected purposively. Under those RIO nine REFLECT Circles or Post Circles (RC/PC) and eight Lokokandra (LK) were selected randomly (see Table 1). Two hundred and forty five participants from PC and LK were selected randomly, Ten REFLECT Facilitators (RF) were selected for the representative PC or RC, six REFLECT Trainers (RT) from five RIO were selected for the interview (see Table 2). Data for the study were gathered by using different tools like structured interview schedule, questionnaire and paper-pencil test.To find out the impact of REFLECT approach REFLECT Trainer (RT), REFLECT Facilitator (RF) were also interviewed. In this study the data was analyzed both quantitative and qualitative method. Narrative data were analyzed using the mode of question content, objectives and participants attitude. All the quantitative data were analyzed manually through the tables and graphs that made by using MS Excel 2007.

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5. DATA INTERPRETATION AND FINDINGS

Separate tables and graphical charts have been prepared on the basis of responses and opinions of the respondents for determine their literacy skills (3Rs- Reading, Writing and Arithmetic), determine the state of awareness about their basic rights, identify the status of their participation in social work, asses the participants involvement in any economic activities and finally the impact of REFLECT approach in the society.

5.1 Analysis and Interpretation of the REFLECT Participants’ (RP) Paper-pencil Test (PPT)

For measuring literacy skills, a paper-pencil test was administered on forty five respondents from PC and forty five responded from LK. Their achievement rate was given below in the Table-3 and in Fig-1. The achievement rate of PC respondents was comparatively high in every skill than LK respondents and most of the respondents of PC and LK were done better in arithmetic skill.

This graphical comparison shows that both PCs and LKs participants were achieved very good score at arithmetic, average score in writing and minimum score in reading. It is mentioned that the PC participants was in the learning process but in the LK, the maximum participants had completed their learning program for more than 2 or 3 years ago. The most important point here to say that REFLECT is not merely a literacy program. It is an empowering process of the disadvantage people. In this empowering process literacy is one of the most important components. Literacy is not the end of REFLECT program. Empowerment of the poor and marginalized people is the end of the REFLECT program. In REFLECT process, verbal activities are more emphasized then providing so called literacy. So the paper-pencil based achieving rate is considerable.

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Table- 1: Information about selected RIOs, PCs, LKs, RTs & RFs

Name of the RIO

Working Area

Number of

Selected PCs

Number of

Selected LKs

Number of

Selected RTs

Number of

Selected RFs

VERC Manikgonj 2 2 2 2

GBSS Norshingdi 2 1 0 2

NM Dhaka 2 1 1 2Dristi Comilla 0 2 1 1

PSTC Gazipur 3 1 1 3

ASD Dhaka 0 1 1 0

Table- 2: Sample for the Study

Categories of sample

Selected Number

Total Sample

Size

REFLECT Participants

245

261REFLECT Facilitators

10

REFLECT Trainers

6

Table-3: Literacy Skills of the respondents

Literacy Skill AR of PC AR of Lk

Reading skill 52.80% 41.70%

Writing skill 63.90% 38.30%

Arithmetic skill 66.10% 57.20%

Determining the state of awareness about their basic rights 150 respondents from PC and LK were interviewed. All the respondents (100%) were fully aware about their health issues. About the legal issue of Primary Education Act, more than fifty percent (53.33%) respondents of PC and only forty percent (40%) respondents of Lk were aware. At the concept of two common issues of specific women right, like equal wages and dowry nearly hundred percent (96% & 97.33%) and below fifty percent (40% & 42.67%) participants of PC and LK were concern.

5.2 Analysis and Interpretation of the Questionnaire for seeking the REFLECT Participants’ (RP) Awareness

There were 4 parts in the questionnaire. These are – Awareness about health, Awareness about legal right, Awareness about women right, Awareness about the environment. For filling the questionnaire one hundred and fifty RPs was selected randomly from nine Post-Circle (PC) and eight Lokokandra (LK). Seventy five RPs were selected from PC and seventy five RPs from LK.

In health issue, all the participants (100%) of PC and LK agreed with right answers. So it can be mentioned that the RPs were very much conscious about their health.In response to the issue of legal right, all of the participants agreed with correct answer. That means they had awareness about their own legal right and wanted to protest the injustice. But in the issue of compulsory primary education act they had not fully concern. Nearly fifty percent (46.67%) and sixty percent respondents out of seventy five respectively PC and LK didn’t know the act. For answering the issue of women rights, only a very few percent (4% & 2.67%) members of PC and LK didn’t think that the wages of men and women should be equal. That means they had not yet achieve the positive mentality towards women rights. About environment awareness, the RPs both PC and LK responded correctly. All the participants (100%) had given right answer of the two questions that used in the questionnaire.

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Table-4: Responses from the questionnaire for the awareness of respondents

Topic % of PC % of LK

Diarrhea 100% 100%Family Planning 100% 100%

Night-blind 100% 100%Vote 100% 100%

Injustice 100% 100%

Primary Education 53.33% 40%

Wages 96% 97.33%Dowry 40% 42.67%

Sanitary Latrine 100% 100%Daily Wastages 100% 100%

5.3 Analysis and Interpretation of the Interviewed Question for seeking the REFLECT Participants’ (RP) Participation in Social Work

To identify the status of the participation in social work structured interview was conducted with the respondents. This interview was divided into 3 parts. Social responsibilities, Involvement in social activities, Relation between social activities and REFLECT circle and LK.

From three different issues of social responsibilities all the participants showed participatory approach in two issues but in the issue of dowry less then fifty percent (41.33%) of PC and around the third (33.33%) participants of LK showed participatory approach which mentioned in the table and graph. Only few (13.33%) participants of PC didn’t agree to involve in any type social activities. Here it was highly mentioned that these respondents were the most vulnerable people of that area and they were landless people. To involve the PC and LK with social activities all the respondents (100%) were showed participatory approach.

Table-5: Responses from the Structured Interview for the status of participation in social work

Issues Approaches % of PC % of LK

Social ResponsibilitiesParticipatory 41.33% 33.33%

Non-participatory 58.67% 66.67%

Involvement in social activities

Participatory 86.67% 100%Non-participatory 13.33% 0.00%

PC & LK and their social activities

Participatory 100.00% 100%Non-participatory 0.00% 0.00%

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5.4 Analyses and Interpretation of the Interviewed Question for REFLECT Participants’ (RP) Involvement in Economical Activities

These interviewed questions were consisted 3 different economical activities. Such as – Involvement in any economical activities, Interest about income generating activities, Relation between economical activities and REFLECT circle and LK, Participants realization how economical activities help to empower.

Table-6: Responses from the Structured Interview to asses the participation of the participants involvement in economical activities

Issues Opinion % of PC % of LK

Involvement in IGAYes 96% 93.33%No 4% 7.67%

Interest about IGAYes 100% 100%No 0.00% 0.00%

Relation between PC & LK and IGA

PC &LK helps IGA 100.00% 100%Not helpful 0.00% 0.00%

Realize their changes through IGA

Yes 96.00% 93.33%No 4.00% 7.67%

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Participants’ responses showed that maximum RPs involved different type of income generating activities. Only three members of PC and five members of LK didn’t involve in any economical activities. In response of the issue of interest in income generating activities, all the RPs (100%) wanted to increase their income and for this they also wanted to do different work. In the issue of the relation between economical activities and REFLECT circle and LK, the participants assured that they faced different type of problem and they could share it in the PC & LK. Moreover, they learnt different types of income generating activities in the PC Lk. In response the topic of realization how economical activities help to empower, those who involved in any economical activities (86% of PC and 93.33% of LK), agreed that they spent their income according to their need. Everyone agreed that the extra income created a positive effect on their family. All of them felt that they had a power to say something, do something. It’s the important fact of empowerment.

Maximum respondents thought that income generating activities (IGA) make a great change in their life. All of them now meet their desire through this income and this has a positive effect on their family life. These take them forward to the step of empowerment. Now they can raise their voice and clam their rights, it’s a great achievement of the marginalized people and by these they can change the power structure of the society. Through these the impact was found on the society.

5.5 Analysis and Interpretation of the REFLECT Facilitators’ Response

REFLECT Facilitators (RF) play an effective and important role to implement the REFLECT approach. The structured interview schedule for the RF consist 3 different

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parts. Such as – Facilitators' qualification, Use of the REFLECT process, Impact of REFLECT to empowerment.

All the facilitators had proper qualification to facilitate the participants. In academic qualification above the sample size, class-8 passed–less then fifty percent (40%), SSC passed—thirty percent (30%) and only a few (10%) were degree candidate. Similarly in professional qualification, fifty percent (50%) had taken five or more professional training, one third portion (30%) had taken two times, a few (10%) had taken three times and the rest of the participants (10%) had taken professional training four times. According to experience, less then fifty percent (40%) had been working for 1-2 years, one third portion (30%) working for 2-3 years, a few (10%) percent working for 3-4 years and only twenty percent had very junior in concerning work experience that mean they had new comer in this activities (see Table-7). That mean in terms of academic as well as professional they were qualified.

Table-7: Academic and Professional Qualification of REFLECT Facilitators

Academic Qualification Professional Qualification

Name of the Degree Percentage

Number of

Training

Percentage

Year of Experience Percentage

Class-8 40% 2 30% Below 1 year

20%S.S.C 30% 3 10% 2 years 40%H.S.C 20% 4 10% 3 years 50%Degree 10% 5/ more 50% 4/ more

years10%

All the facilitator used only REFLECT approach as their facilitating way. To realize their point of view on the impact of REFLECT approach to empowerment they had asked different questions. Maximum facilitator said that the participants were able to find out their problem, take appropriate decision and finally solve it- which is the main focus point of REFLECT approach. By these the participants were come on the way of empowerment.

5.6 Analysis and Interpretation of the REFLECT Trainers’ (RT) Response

Six REFLECT Trainers (RT) of different REFLECT Implementation Organization (RIO) of ActionAid Bangladesh (AAB) were interviewed and the structured interview divided into 3 parts. These are – RTs qualification, Opinion about RFs problem and the training they achieve from the RTs, Opinion about RTs training and idea whether REFLECT help to empower or not.The table (see table-8) shows that four RTs out of six that mean more then fifty percent (66.66%) had completed their post graduate degree and others two (16.67%) had completed graduation degree. This table (see table-8) shows fifty percent (50%) RTs had achieved three or more training, one third part (33.33%) had achieved one and other few (16.67%) had two training. Fifty percent RTs worked more than three years, one third (33.33%) worked for two years and few percent

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(16.67%) worked for 6 months. As academic as well as professional qualification the trainer were qualified.

Table-8: Academic and Professional Qualification of REFLECT Trainers

Academic Qualification Professional Qualification

Name of the Degree

Percentage

Number of Training

Percentage Year of Experience

Percentage

Degree (Pass) 16.67% 1 33.33% Below 1 year

33.33%

Graduate 16.67% 2 16.67% 2 years 16.67%Post Graduate 66.66% 3/ more 50% 3+ years 50%

All of the RTs (100%) agreed REFLECT has changed the participants outlook which very important to work with the poor people. RTs strictly believed that REFLECT approach help not only the participants but also the REFLECT facilitators to empower themselves.

5.7 Major Findings of the Study:

For reading skill the Achievement Rate of PC &LK were nearly similar (52.8% and 41.7%), For writing skill the Achievement Rate of PC &LK were showed huge gap (63.9% and 38.3%) and for arithmetic skill the Achievement Rate of PC &LK were as like as reading skill (52.8% and 41.7%). Comparing the AR of 3 literacy skills, PC participants were always done better than the participants of LK and maximum AR was found in arithmetic skill. All the participant was fully conscious about their health. All the RP was aware about their civic rights. In the concept of legal rights, nearly fifty percent (46.67%) RP of PC and more then fifty percent (60%) RP of LK was not able to answer. So here a measurable difference was found. Very few members (4% & 2.67%) of PC and LK didn’t think that the wages of men and women should be equal. Similar percent respondent (40% & 42.67%) from of PC and LK agreed that they shouldn’t give dowry. All the RP was conscious about their environmental issue. All the RP had the feeling of social responsibility in the context of sanitary latrine and send the six years old children in school. When the social responsibility had came on the issue of dowry, only one third portions showed participatory approach. On the other issues of social activities, the entire participants had showed positive approach. Selected all REFLECT Participants agreed that to solve their social problem PC & LK helped them. Only a few REFLECT Participants was not involved in any economical activities. Those members were old and not to able to do anything. The entire participants were interested about income generating activities (IGA). Whole target group agreed that they benefited by PC and LK for taking initiative of any kind of IGA and solve any type of problems that create to do these activities. Maximum participants from PC and LK who involve any type of IGA, realize that it helped them to rise their voice. Maximum REFLECT Facilitators and REFLECT Trainer were qualified. All the REFLECT Facilitators agreed that they used only the REFLECT approach in the circle. The entire RFs agreed that

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the REFLECT Participants were able to realize their changes. Nearly eighty percent RFs agreed that RPs themselves took initiative to implement their action point. Nearly hundred percent RFs said that the REFLECT Participants were able to select their own representative. All the RFs thought that the participants were more aware about their rights than before. All the RFs were able to mention an example that shown the changeable condition of RPs. Nearly seventy percent RT said that RFs didn’t face any problem while using the REFLECT approach, one third portion faced some problem and the problem was the adolescents’ guardian, initially the guardian was not happy to the reading process without book. All the RT thought that if REFLECT is implement properly then it could be a perfect approach of empowerment.

6. RECOMMENDATION AND CONCLUSION

Major recommendations of the study are mentioned below:More effective literacy programs or initiatives should be taken for the LK participants. Because after completing the post circle the participants didn’t practice their literacy skills so that they relapse the literacy skills. For this REFLECT should be linked with continuing education and life-long education which is very essential for the participants.REFLECT process is very much success to aware the participants, these awareness help them to claim their rights and by these they come to the way of empowerment process.REFLECT make the participants aware and awareness changes the attitude but in the issue of women rights 4% sample of PC and 2.67% sample of LK didn’t show the changeable behavior. The main cause for it the patriarchy attitude.In the context of major social problem and social dowry, most of the participants thought that they shouldn’t give it but they bound to give it. That mean till now they didn’t achieve the mentality to prevent dowry together. As REFLECT work for social change, more campaign should be taken on this issue.REFLECT approach create a feeling of social responsibilities. Now the participants are willingly participate any type of social work. Social responsibilities make them committed to attend any social activities. These are happened by REFLECT. REFLECT help them to do right things.Nearly hundred percent RPs (96% of PC and 93.33% of LK) involves any type of income generating activities. This involvedness greatly helped them to empower themselves. This IGA inspire them to do the desire things. If the people able to do the desire things it will made a positive change on them. REFLECT not only help the RPs empower but also help the RTs and RFs. Both of them agree that REFLECT change their attitude and thinking which has a great effect on our society. According to the four dimension of empowerment maximum participants of PC and LK are able to empower themselves. They are concern about their rights, they can claim it and they take initiatives to achieve it, by this they want to change their position. And that is the empowerment.

A mother of a disable child of Tangapara union in Norshingdi district said, “The teacher of our local school didn’t want to take my child in the school though my child was able to read & write. After coming the circle I realize that my child have

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the right to go to school and learn. Then I went the school again and requested the teacher to admit my child but he didn’t agree. Then I asked him about the Compulsory Primary Education Act and then he agreed to admit my child in the school. Now my child goes to school and make good result because I’m able to help him”.

This is not a story; it is a real feeling of a mother who completes the basic circle. This mother tries to educate her disable child, which a great change. Few days ago she thought that the child was a curse for her. We can make revolution by these because our main power is our population and educated population is the wealth of any country. If we create this awareness in the mind of every mother, we will develop ourselves, which the main focus of empowerment.

REFFERENCES1. Basic Education Studies in Bangladesh 2004-2005, UNESCO, Dhaka, 2006.2. Best John W, Research in Education, Prentice Hall of India Private Limited, India, 2000.3. Education Action 8, ActionAid, UK, 1998.4. Education Action 9, ActionAid, UK, 1999.5. Education Action 13, ActionAid, UK, 2000.6. Education Action 14, ActionAid, UK, 2001.7. Education Action 16, ActionAid, UK, 2002.8. Education Watch: Literacy in Bangladesh-Need for a new Vision, CAMPE, 2002.9. Habib Ahasan Mohammad Dewan, A Study on the Effectiveness of Non-Formal Education for Empowerment of Women, unpublished thesis report, 2000. 10. Jenning, James, Adult Literacy, 1990.11. Journal of Extention, October 1999, V-37, N-5.12. karim Rezaul Mohammad, A Comparative study of Adult Literacy Achievement of REFLECT & Non-REFLECT participants, unpublished thesis report, 1998.13. Latif, Abu Hamid, Non-Formal Education in Bangladesh, Expose Media Relation, 2001.14. L.R. Gay., Educational Research: Competencies for Analysis and Application, Millan Publishing Company, New York, 1992.15. Rapport J, Studies in Empowerment: Introduction to the Issue, Prevention in Human Services, 198416. Third Country Strategy Paper (2005-2010), ActionAid Bangladesh. 17. UNDP, Human Development Report, New York, 2004.18. UNDP, Human Development Report, New York, 1990.

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19. Zimmerman M.A., Taking Aim an Empowerment Research: One the Distinction between Individual and Psychological Conceptions, American Journal of Community psychology, 1984, 169-177.

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REFLECT Approach and It's Impact

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