culturally competent social work practice

Culture: relatively unified language, set of values, beliefs and norms (standards of action) held by an identified people at a point in time.

CULTURALLY COMPETENT Social Work Practice

Bi-cultural: Capacity to function within two identifiable cultural groups in a manner that

1) Meets one’s own needs 2) Recognizes, respects and helps meet the needs of others 3) Sees differences as adding richness to life.

Cultural Dimensions that Illustrate Differences

Bolivia Bolivia U.S. Dominant

Urban Rural

Basic social Family Community Individual unit:

Locus of External External Internal control:

Respect: Deference Deference Admiration

Authority: Hierarchical Communal Undefined

U.S. Anglo

AmericanUrban Bolivia:Spanish/Latino

BI-CULTURAL CONTINUUM

Rural BoliviaIndigenous/Quechua

BECOMING BI-CULTURAL

Speak the Language (Essential but not sufficient)

Recognize Power Differential

Observe - Listen

Interact

Analyze

PROJECT PARTNERS

National Ministries

Communities Municipalities

Mano a Mano

Communities Identify Problem; Make Request; Own Project Right to self determination

Conversations between staff and community clarify the project. Getting to Know the Other

Partnership agreements define the project. Inter-relatedness of Family, Community,

Society and Natural Environment.

All Partners Contribute Identify and Develop Strengths and Resources

Beneficiaries Invest In the Project: Become Empowered to Address their own

Needs

Training for Sustainable Agriculture:Integrates all Mano a Mano Programs

OUR RESULTS: 158 community medical centers: reduce

maternal and infant mortality by about 90%

8 water reservoirs for 40,000 people: water creates food security, doubles family income

870 miles of road: used by over 130,000 people to haul produce to markets

56 schools with housing for their teachers: make primary education available to 8,000 kids

Over 400 have traveled from U.S.: Fosters Cross-cultural, Cross-national Relationships

NO failed projects

LONG TERM MANO A MANO GOALS

Create/develop Bolivian capacity to build and sustain infrastructure that communities require:

to meet basic needs and thrive on their own land  

Create deep and long lasting commitments to respectful relationships that add hope and meaning to lives of all involved.

CHALLENGES

Working across National/Racial/Cultural Lines/Physical Distance

Getting to know the other

The Balance of Leading and Following

Disparities among Partners – our U.S. Privilege; Urban and Rural Bolivia

Accountability: to Whom and for What?