Live Different’s Development Model
Overview:
LiveDifferent’s development model combines sustainable community development practices with integrated volunteering, resulting in meaningful and long-term positive outcomes for all parties involved. Our projects focus on mutual empowerment, as our volunteers work alongside community members to meet basic human needs, while motivating one another to shift their perspectives towards life-long kindness, hope, and change. The five key elements of this model are community, relationship, basic needs, dignity, and humility.
Foundation:
Symbiotic Development – Here at LiveDifferent, we believe that there is a great quality of experience, relationship, and long-term impacts that can be overlooked when international development and volunteering are seen as being at odds with one another. We do not operate under the assumption that charity or development work is a system where only one party can receive, while the other party gives. We have found this to be a false dichotomy, and in fact that the opposite is true. When a proper framework of relationship, dignity, humility, and community is built upon, a symbiotic relationship is created. This relationship allows all parties to grow and benefit in ways that would not have happened if they had not had the chance to know and care for each other. Fostering this type of development model ensures a mutual understanding of the unique needs at the core of each individual and community, and shows that we are all in a position to serve one another, regardless of circumstance.