SOCIAL MOVEMENT FOR CHANGE
Empowering young women in Liberia through community-based, after-school learning huts
The Development Brokers is a legally registered NGO operating in Liberia since 2014. Intent on brokering development for the least vulnerable, it designed the Social Movement for Change (SM4C). SM4C is an approach and project that was designed in 2015 and started with 20 change agents. The approach is community development as a pathway to national development with the people being empowered through the use of the 4-power model.
The SM4C Message of Change is Anchored on Four (4) Powers
POWER WITHIN –based on human rights
POWER TO – action that can be taken
POWER OVER – actions overcome barriers
POWER WITH - partnership
The model engages communities around their human rights which gives them power within. With their power within, they have the power to take action to solve issues at the community level. With that power, they then have the power over the actions and inactions of others, especially when those actions and inactions infringe on or obstruct access to their rights. The 4th power is the power with; and this is important because this is the power that catalyzes partnerships and ensures that people join their powers together for mass action to change the situation in their communities.
This approach empowers communities for their development, but also to take responsible civic decisions as it relates to how they engage with elections and other national processes that are critical for accessing their rights.
Currently SM4C operates with 32 change agents in 3 counties and has MOUs with communities in 2 counties. Montserrado, Grand Cape Mount and Margibi already have change agents while Bong and Grand Bassa have communities with MOUs.
