What was the initiative?

The Okavango Livelihoods Project was a community-driven development initiative that aimed to improve the livelihoods of communities in the Okavango region. It focused primarily on developing sustainable, income-generating activities such as beekeeping and milling. The initiative sought to empower local communities by building their capacity to manage and grow these ventures independently, using participatory and asset-based development approaches. The ultimate goal was to foster self-sufficiency and economic resilience, ensuring the community could sustain its progress independent of the support of external parties.

What was the community connection?

Jessica’s community connection began through her involvement with Travel for Impact, a non-profit organization focused on community-driven development supported by tourism. She joined TFI in 2017 as an intern, driven by her passion for sustainable community development. This connection led to her role in the Okavango Livelihoods Project, where she worked closely with local communities to build economic opportunities. Acting as a facilitator and intermediary, Jessica fostered trust between the community and external partners, ensuring the projects were community-led and sustainable. Her work, supported by TFI, helped the community gain essential skills and resources, positioning the Okavango Livelihoods Project for long-term success.

How was it innovative?

The initiative was innovative in its application of an Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) approach, which focused on shifting the mindset from a dependency model to one that emphasized the community’s existing assets and strengths. By facilitating a participatory process, Jessica supported community members in recognizing and leveraging their resources for long-term, sustainable development. The initiative emphasized skill-sharing workshops, collaborative problem-solving, and the cultivation of local leadership. Empowering community members to drive their own projects and initiatives. It also integrated conflict mediation to engage partner relationships, ensuring that the collaborative environment remained productive and supportive. Furthermore, the initiative prioritized accessibility, ensuring that all materials, meetings, and resources were available in a culturally appropriate manner, fostering a more inclusive and effective process.

What is Jessica doing now?

Jessica has become the Manager of the Pathy Foundation Fellowship and is pursuing a Master’s Degree in Adult Education and Community Development at St. Francis Xavier University. She continues to be active in her Fellowship community through ad-hoc graphic design work and contribution to The Impact Fund’s (formerly TFI) reporting.