CHE: Training of Trainers (ToT) for Total Community Development

As a way of developing the capacity of the Saving Hand Development Initiative (SHADE-IN) team working in Oke Agbe II, Ofiyin Village  (aka Aba-Ebira) by Nigeria Christian Corpers Fellowship (NCCF) Ekiti State Secretariat, a Community Health Evangelism Training of Trainers (CHE TOT) was organized at the NCCF State Secretariat, Off New Iyin Road, Iyin-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria on 11^th -14^th September, 2013.

The training was facilitated by the CHE Team (eight members; two females, six  males) from Akure, Ondo State, among whom were Obaweya Oluwatope, Adaramola Precious, Benson O. Lawani, Dr. Ebenezer O. Oke (Life Development Centre), Lawal Oluwaseun (Arewa Community Development Foundation), Pastor Amos, Adepoju Samuel and Emiloju Samson O. In attendance were 33 participants (10 females, 23 males)  comprising of SHADE-IN  (20), God’s Sunrise Mission (3), The Blessed Hope Evangelical Mission (5), Student Mission Organization Int’l (1) , Oke Agbe II, Ofiyin Village (1) and uncategorised (3). .

A group session at the CHE ToT

A participatory approach was employed in course of the training with relevant illustrations, as various topics were discussed which include: God’s Vision for Community , Defining Good Health, Worldview and Development, Comparing Relief and Development, CHE Concepts-Understanding the Need for CHE, CHE Program Description-Basic Elements of a CHE Program, Building Community Ownership, Steps to Implement a CHE Program, etc. It is expected that participants will begin to employ the CHE strategy in reaching out to communities which is, achieving community-owned development rather than just providing relief.

A group session at the CHE ToT

A demonstration on CHE strategy during the CHE ToT

About Community Health Evangelism (CHE)

Community Health Evangelism (CHE, pronounced chay) is a multifaceted approach to Christian ministry that addresses the needs of the whole person—physical, spiritual, emotional, and social. It is not a funding strategy, but rather a training strategy. It is a strategy that can be applied in any community which may include governments, organisiations, etc.

The CHE Philosophy

CHE equips individuals to be independent workers and evangelists in their communities. CHE’s training strategies include:

      i.        Empowering people to do things for themselves. This liberates locals from the bondage of the welfare mentality.

    ii.        Reaching the whole person. Some mission programs deal solely with the spiritual dimensions and ignore physical needs; others address only the physical. CHE addresses both.

   iii.        Equipping leaders with skills to see their own community’s assets and to address multiple needs instead of compartmentalizing personnel (e.g., pastors ministering to the spiritual needs, doctors treating medical concerns, etc.).

   iv.        Developing community ownership. CHE teaches people how to identify their own problems and find a way to solve them, using locally available resources.

    v.        Preventive vs. Curative.  CHE is designed to prevent diseases for individuals, families, and communities. By providing participants with knowledge concerning basic health principles and practices, it can promote optimal health within communities.

 Bliss Ojeruse

Executive Director

SHADE-IN