Measuring Well-Being and Poverty From the Perspective of Persons Who Are Poor By Stephanie Baker Collins
Description:
Participatory methods in the study of poverty invite those living in difficult circumstances to participate in an analysis of their own livelihood situation. The purpose of a Participatory Poverty Assessments is to create room where the voice of poor persons can be heard. The methodology of PPA is deliberately non-technical and accessible, using focus groups and visual methods such as mapping exercises, seasonality diagrams, and time lines. The purpose of this participatory process is to listen to persons who have experienced poverty describe their daily lives as well as their vision of a good quality of life. A participatory poverty assessment has been facilitated with a small group of women who are members of a food co-op in Niagara Falls, Ontario and who live in poverty. The women explored together issues of well-being, the importance of assets, the role of institutions, and coping strategies. Important themes which emerged included an emphasis on relationships in a good quality of life, the impact of the pervasive scrutiny of the social assistance bureaucracy, the importance of community good will and the possibilities for community action. This presentation will describe the process of the Participatory Poverty Assessment and share the results and emerging themes in a report written with the women. [abstract]
Type of Resource:
Government Document
Publication Date:
2003
Location:
Niagara Falls