Community
From Bottle School Wiki
Community Ownership
The most important aspects of a bottle school construction are community ownership, participation and commitment. There is a great deal of work and logistical coordination involved in each project which, without community support, would be extremely difficult to achieve.
Leaders
Project facilitators will need to work side-by-side with trusted community leaders. You may find that one outstanding leader who is organized, effective, and well-liked will be able to bring the entire community together. However, in some communities it may be necessary to form a committee to manage political, religious, or familial differences. This committee can act as a constant reminder 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.
Either way, 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 and execution of the build.
Community Involvement
Clear and open communication between the facilitator, the leaders and the community will go a long way to keep everyone on the same page and abreast of their individual responsibilities regarding the project. Community meetings may seem difficult and time-consuming, especially before the construction begins, but communicating any and all concerns and coming to a consensus on distribution of labor and individual responsibility will help the build run smoothly.
In general, the community knows best. After all, it is their home and their school. They will have more interest in preserving the building knowing they have played an integral role in its construction. Be open-minded to suggestions that may sound unusual or unnecessary to you and remain open to dialogue no matter how exhaustive.
