Stichting Connect International

Fact sheets aim to assist self help groups - we call them Village Action Groups (VAG's) - in rural communities to discuss and learn about priority subjects. The fact sheets and the drawings belonging to them are largely self-explanatory. Elected VAG Leaders are trained how to use the fact sheets in VAG meetings. Each fact sheet includes:

1. Introduction sheet.
2. Sheets about different aspects regarding the subject with questions, explanations, and referrals to the fact sheet drawings. Often one sheet will be covered during a VAG meeting.
3. One or more drawings.
4. Key information sheet.

The fact sheets are based on work we do together with our partner organizations in countries in Eastern and Southern Africa. The process includes selection of topics, developing draft fact sheets, field testing them in VAG's, adapting them, etc. Organizations that wish to work with the fact sheets can customize them to the local circumstances. If required Connect International will provide assistance in the process, in most cases for free. We provide fact sheets in the following themes:

1. Diseases (malaria, diarrhea, HIV/AIDS, etc.)
2. Family (child health, dental care, maternal health, etc.)
3. Watsan (water facilities, latrines, hand wash facilities, waste bins, etc.)
4. Agriculture (rain-fed agriculture, small-scale irrigation, tree nurseries, etc.
5. Livestock (cows, chicken, pigs, goats, beekeeping, etc.)
6. Housing (house construction, compound improvement, firewood saving stoves, etc.)
7. Economy (revolving & rotating funds, small businesses, etc.)
8. Human rights (equality and diversity, child rights, domestic violence, etc.)

Contact us if:

1. you wish to receive the fact sheets drawings as large pdf format files that can be sent to a printer for printing them into posters (we will send them free of cost; we can also send you printed drawings for instance as A2 or A3 size laminated or plastic posters against limited costs),
2. you wish to obtain our support with customizing the fact sheets and/or drawings to your circumstances and wishes,
3. you wish to obtain a fact sheet with drawing about a subject of your choice but which is not yet in our package of fact sheets and drawings (within the boundaries of our capacity we will try to produce a fact sheet and drawing you need in case we feel you are really committed to use it intensively),
4. you wish to obtain the fact sheets in Kiswahili or Portuguese (we will send them to you; we do not have all of them yet available in these languages though).