The newly revised Agents of Change course was recently launched with groups in Zambia and Zimbabwe. They will be working through the material before it is evaluated and rolled out across the Anglican Communion next year.
Three workshops were held, in Lusaka and Livingstone in Zambia, and in Bulawayo in Zimbabwe, to introduce students to the new material and encourage them to work through the modules.
Students have been particularly struck by the tools in the first module, which are designed to help them to see the assets they already have in their communities, and how they can address some of the challenges they face.
Michelle Mutonono, from Bulawayo, said, “The entire module has been very exciting and kept me keen to do the next activity. The most interesting section would be the problem tree and the solution tree… I learnt that a problem always has numerous underlying causes which we may not realise unless you look closely at the roots. I also grew to understand that just one problem can carry huge effects on a community just like a tree’s canopy is much larger than the trunk.”
Michelle continued, “The skills section came about as surprising as it brought to my knowledge the many gifts that God has given to the community and has shown me the vast diversity of the community.”
Grace Luwewa, the Administrator of Lusaka Diocese, said, “What impacted me most was the part on the asset mapping. I realised that most of the time all we think about is money, when what we need most is the faith to know how to use what we already have.”
Elizabeth Perry, the Agents of Change course coordinator, has been encouraged by students’ responses to the course and the enthusiasm they have at learning new ways to help their communities develop.
Elizabeth said, “It was wonderful to be alongside people as they worked through the first module, using practical tools which opened their eyes to see the assets in their community as well as the challenges. People are excited about the new material, about dreaming dreams and thinking of how they can help their community.”
Students are currently sending in their workbooks for review. Once the pilot groups have completed the modules, the new materials will be evaluated and amended before the course is launched for the rest of the Anglican Communion next year.
If you are interested in taking part in the Agents of Change course next year, please email Elizabeth Perry at agentsofchange@anglicancommunion.org. Elizabeth will send you the introductory guide to read and an application form for the course.
Photos: Students work together to draw asset maps for their communities in Lusaka, Zambia