LIF’s Development Approach

LIF approaches a community without preconceived ideas of what to change. LIF gathers information from the people who live and work in the community. LIF learns about local community needs and facilitates change in the following ways:

• Surveys women, families, teachers, medical personnel, and community volunteers regarding their needs and challenges.

• Discovers many of the resources and services that already exist.

• Uses local skills and resources as much as possible.

• Cooperatively develops and implements a plan of how to resolve problems and create opportunities.

• Evaluates the project and process with participants.

• Collaborates with local service personnel who can teach and train others.

• Establishes and works with a country director and local committee to continue the development process.
   

Projects and Programs

LIF specifically addresses needs in the following areas:

• Education

• Health

• Economic conditions

Development projects are a means to an end—with the ultimate goal of helping women, families, and communities learn and apply principles of self-reliance to change their lives and their children’s future.