To be successful, bottle school projects require both strong leadership and universal participation. To get the most out of the process, involve all of the community, and use the process as an opportunity for bringing people together and sharing skills.
Leadership
The project facilitator, the person initiating the project, will need to work side-by-side with trusted community leaders. You may find that one outstanding leader who is passionate, organized, effective, and well-liked will be able to bring the entire community together. The leader may be a school principal, member of the PTA, local
government representative, a respected elder in the community, or any other suitable person. In some communities, you may not be able to work with one leader, and it may be necessary to form a committee to manage political, religious, or familial differences. This committee can act as a constant reminder to the community of the greater goal: to complete the school for the benefit of their children and future generations. With this constant reminder throughout the process, differences can be more effectively resolved. These leaders are the key to a successful project. They know every facet of resource availability and cultural norms, and understand the social fabric of their communities. This knowledge will allow them to troubleshoot potential complications and ensure proper planning, design, participation and execution of the build.
Community Involvement
Clear and open communication between the project facilitator, leaders and the community members will go a long way to keeping everyone on the same page, and conscious of their individual