For many 'development' is understood as progress and modernisation. It is about building schools, business, infrastructure and housing. Kelley Chisholm, the founder of the Foxglove Project, has been part of the world of international development since 1998 and has seen this approach in practice. She has increasingly been challenged that this kind of development has not always seen improved lives for local people. For the most part, this kind of development brings about short term change in living conditions, access to services or health but lasts only as long as the external support. Instead, when we understand 'development' as people-focused, there is a very different approach and expectation. The Foxglove Project partners with grassroots indigenous organisations working with people in sustainable initiatives like self help groups, grassroots leadership forums, and community cooperatives. Not every initiative is foolproof. Every project needs support and rigour. But when we focus on developing people and facilitating the empowerment of the individual then we have the very real opportunity of sustained personal change. Based on the people's dreams. This is worth pursuing. This is worth our investment of resources and belief.
