Awareness of strengths and challenges
Ustawi Survey
The Ustawi Survey is inspired by the Poverty Stoplight Survey, developed by Fundación Paraguaya. It is a strengths-based self-evaluation tool that seeks to activate the potential of households and communities. The survey increases people’s awareness of the multidimensional aspects of life, while identifying their unique challenges and harnessing their strengths to address them.
Why?
The survey generates data that can be used to identify community-wide issues while enhancing household awareness of the multidimensional nature of life. The Ustawi Survey highlights aspects of life that may be overlooked and enables participants to identify their strengths and challenges. The creation of a Life Map: a participatory storytelling tool used to visually and verbally document a person’s journey through life, forms the basis of a co-created strategy to leverage household strengths to overcome community challenges.
Income and Employment:
Having adequate income and employment enables families to address the other five dimensions.
Education and Culture:
Prioritizing education allows families to enhance their confidence, expertise, and skills, which are essential for generating income and contributing positively to society.
Health and Environment:
Families must prioritize their personal health and the condition of their environment to foster a thriving and productive community.
Organization and Participation:
When families actively engage in community groups and make their voices heard, they can drive the changes they wish to see in their communities.
Housing and Infrastructure:
Families require proper living conditions and reliable infrastructure to support their daily needs and safeguard their well-being.
Interiority and Motivation:
When families cultivate strong self-esteem and motivation, they will proactively seek solutions to their problems and think of others before making decisions.
The results are visually displayed as part of the Life Map, allowing families to understand their current situation and prioritize their efforts. This framework makes the survey accessible, easy to use and thorough. Each question is intentionally selected to provide a congruent and well-reasoned experience that is culturally appropriate.
Our approach to adapting and administering the survey in differing cultural contexts is rigorous and participatory. Ustawi Facilitators conduct a field study to share the impact of the work and request an invitation to collaborate with the community. Through guided focus groups, Ustawi Facilitators begin to understand the culture and context of the community. A methodical approach is taken to adapting the survey through regular liaisons with the focus groups. These meetings discuss the relevance and appropriateness of the survey questions within each of the six dimensions.
How?
Ustawi Facilitators have years of experience with developing a good rapport with household participants to develop trust and transparency. They are well-trained to navigate any ethical considerations that may arise during the survey. Ustawi Facilitators administer the survey through software compatible with computers, tablets, or mobile phones, guiding household participants through the process.
At the end of the survey, our Facilitators explain the results summary and prompt the co-creation of the Life Map. Household participants are encouraged to identify three green indicators (areas of strength) alongside three yellow or red indicators (areas of challenge) that they would like to improve in a timely manner. The co-created goals form the basis of their Ustawi Mentorship.
