After receiving professional training on community engagement and organizing, students put their learning to practice within the local community. Through this hands-on process students develop replicable skills, which can be applied as graduates go back out into the world and create change.
Often times in the world of charity and philanthropy, well-intentioned folks travel to a foreign region and believe they can help. What is all too common is an organization goes into an area ignorant of local cultures, values and needs and provides a product or service they believe is needed. This can not only be a misuse of caring people’s time and money, but can actually be detrimental to the people they wish to serve.
It requires wisdom, respect, patience and expertise to first develop a relationship with a community, understand local needs and then to empower locals to address these needs.
OUR APPROACH
In collaborating with the community, The Mycelium School uses a process called participatory inquiry, which honors local voices and supports these voices in identifying local issues, designing a strategy to address these issues and ultimately partnering with the community in carrying out this strategy.
Facilitated by respected local community members and community development professionals the school and community will work together to achieve a positive social and environmental impact.
Students will not only develop an understanding of service work in theory and practice, but will also be prepared to effectively and respectfully engage communities around the world in co-creating successful initiatives to address local needs.
School | Self-Reliant Living | Global Community | Social Entrepreneurship | Language | Natural Building | Permaculture | Students | Teachers | Community Development
