The Federation of Self-Help Associations

Rapid mechanization of the sugar cane industry in the last several decades displaced thousands of field workers and their families and left countless communities devastated by poverty and hopelessness. By using its Self-Help Model, Southern Mutual Help Association supported the creation of four self-help associations in West St. Mary Parish, and they formed a Federation of Self-Help Associations and worked together to meet their individual and common goals.

SMHA Provided Technical Assistance to the Self-Help Associations and the Federation to:

Develop community-based leadership · Improve housing and infrastructure · Increase citizen impact in public decision-making · Promote health awareness · Improve opportunities in education · Plan and implement economic development initiatives

The SMHA Self-Help Model

SMHA's Self-Help Model emphasizes:

• "Presence and Performance" versus a "First-Come, First-Served" Philosophy
• A comprehensive approach based on strategic planning, rather than piecemeal efforts
• The concept that people will want to become a part of what's working, thus eliminating the need to recruit participants in programs
• Communities investing in self-help rather than passively relying on entitlements.

The goal is to empower families to envision and create a healthy and prosperous future.

The Federation of Self-Help Associations fostered cooperation and mentoring of self-help associations instead of competition, and regional planning instead of duplication.


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