There are many self-help associations in Zambia. They comprise of groups of individuals whose purpose is to further their common goals, to help improve and sustain their quality of life as well as the environment in which they live. Find these various associations highlighted here. The self-help associations are often community-based organizations. One such organization's main thrust is skills and business development training although it is also involved in the provision of funding and market support to micro-entrepreneurs, networking and market linkages supporting community social groups and establishment of community self-help groups.
Self-help associations are groups of people who come together to address their common problems. While self-help might imply a focus on the individual, one important characteristic of self-help associations is the idea of mutual support – people helping each other. Self-help groups can serve many different purposes depending on the situation and the need. For example, within the development sector, self-help associations have been used as an effective strategy for poverty alleviation, human development and social empowerment, and are therefore often focused on microcredit programmes and income-generating activities.
What is self-help?
Self-help means that you’re taking steps on your own to work toward achieving a goal or making changes in your life rather than working with a therapist.
For instance, if you want to give up a habit you find harmful — like always being late or biting your nails — you may write down the benefits of quitting or create a list of rewards you want to give yourself.
Self-help can guide you in organising the way you accomplish your goals. In other words, instead of working with a therapist, you might use a workbook or join a support group to guide your own learning and coping.
Tackling self-help doesn’t always mean you have to go it alone. A self-help association brings people together who are dealing with similar challenges to help build support and community around shared life experiences.
In a self-help group, you have the option to share your coping strategies, and in turn, others do the same with you.
Sometimes, people can do more together to heal than they could on their own. For instance, if you want to quit smoking, you may find it more beneficial to join a group of others who also want to quit smoking.
Self-help groups, on the other hand, are often run by peers or fellow group members. They don’t act as an authority in the group, and they usually aren’t experts in mental health.
Self-help group sessions are open-ended, meaning there’s no agenda, and meetings are run by the group. People are free to come and go. Usually, there is no limit on how many people participate.
Here on Infobwana, you will find various associations and groups that offer self up help services in Zambia.