Our Approach

 

When Tostan is invited into a village, it implements a 30-month education program—called the Community Empowerment Program (CEP)—and trains a Community Management Committee (CMC), which sustains the activities and development projects that result from Tostan's education program.  

 

The following characteristics of Tostan's approach have been critical to its success:  

Holistic

The program is comprehensive, including modules on democracy, human rights, problem solving, hygiene, health, literacy, and management skills. It contributes to the  overall development of participants as they engage with their community in designing, carrying out, and sustaining community-led activities.

 

Learner-centered and Participatory

The Tostan program actively engages adolescent and adult learners, who have little or no formal schooling, in deciding goals for their future and moving forward in partnerships with others to achieve those goals. Tostan teaches its participants the knowledge and practical skills necessary to become self sufficient and productive. Teaching methods consist of interactive exercises, such as small-group work, case studies, and action research projects. These methods draw on modern and traditional African oral techniques, including theater, storytelling, dance, artwork, song, debate, and the sharing of personal experience.

 

Respectful and Inclusive

Tostan works with learners, listening carefully to their experiences and ideas.  It also listens to and works closely with religious and village leaders, incorporating their ideas into the program. The program encourages dialogue and consensus among members of all groups: men and women, elders and youth, different social classes, ethnic groups, castes, and religions.

 

Future-Oriented and Affirming

At the beginning of the program, participants identify constructive goals for the future of their community. The knowledge gained in class sessions helps them to achieve their goals in an organized manner. The curriculum and teaching methods are affirming. Instead of focusing on what communities lack or making value judgments about the community, Tostan asks participants to focus on positive aspects of their current situation and build on existing resources.

Responsive

Tostan uses the feedback it receives from communities and participants to regularly update and revise its programs. The organization carries out systematic evaluations and helps external reviewers carry out their evaluations. When neighboring villages hear about Tostan's work, they frequently request the program. Tostan then works to bring its program to these villages.  

Sustainable

Tostan believes that the collective changes made by villagers must be self sustaining. As a result, Tostan helps establish democratically elected Community Management Committees (CMCs), which continue community-led development efforts after the education program ends. Trained during Tostan's tenure in villages, these committees use the same participatory and reflective methods that are modeled throughout our educational program.