I will teach no more!

Some years ago, I worked for the National AIDS Council (NAC) on a project funded by the World Bank. It was a well-funded project and we set up youth centres in 129 districts. We gave money to Youth Associations for training and sensitisation. We had more than enough money, we had set-up an excellent programme and we had a group of very knowledgeable people who were dedicated to behaviour change in young people.

And I was one of those very knowledgeable people. I was an expert and I wanted to help people. I knew what they had to do and what they must not do. And I told them what to do and what not to do. The young people saw me as an expert. They were very polite. They found me intelligent and interesting. There was a programme and they took part in the programme. The programme finished and the experts went away.

When I did an evaluation after 4 years, I found that the same behaviours were still there. There was no change. There was no progress. They were still not using condoms. You are teaching them and they are not following the trainings that you have given them.

And then I learned about CLCP. I got the opportunity to follow the process and then to use it. I applied the process in small groups, in my family and with leaders in a Civil Society organisation. In CLCP, my interaction with people does not depend on the organisation that I work for or my job title. In CLCP, my interaction with people depends on the fact that I am a human being who has some experiences to share and who is willing to learn. And as a result, we can interact on that common base.

At the moment, I am working with a student organisation at the university in Bujumbura. I have met the group many times and I listen to their experiences. I hear what they want to achieve and what they are doing. I share what I have seen in other places. I have no money to give them.

And their work continues. They are very proud of what they are doing and that pride comes from their deep belief that they are doing a good job. Last week, they were telling me that thanks to my support, they have many partners some of whom give them money. And they use that money efficiently and effectively because they believe in what they are doing.

And so I will teach no more. What I have learned is that when I talk to people as an expert, they listen politely and do nothing. And when I listen, share and learn with them, they take action.

And so I will teach no more!