Project Harvest Hope
Renewing Civil Society in Transylvania
Bözöd
Local Development Agent: Csaba Rafai
Unitarian Minister: Fazekas Levente
Hopes and Dreams:
- To develop the growth of community responsibility
- To make changes in the infrastructure of the village. To make the village more welcoming. We would like to build a playground and to establish a village museum.
- To initiate a village leader’s program
- To initiate opportunities for economical development in agriculture and tourism based on local values
- To enhance cultural life
We would like to thank very much, PHH, for figuring out and initiating this unique way of helping Unitarian communities, which along with financial help, develops the people living in the community to join together in their labor and hard work.
We accomplished our goal by asking a lot of people to come and do the work (kaláka). It turned out that the community, which seemed passive, really cares. Later, with the help of PHH, we received new office equipment as well.
We are excited about the great number of community people who participated in creating the office. It encouraged even more people to be more active in community activities.
Traditionally, villagers are separated. Through this program we found a common voice. We had four meetings, where people really spoke about what is important for them in their community and we worked together to create a strategy for the future of our community. Suggestions were made by several villagers for whom this experience was their first ever active participation in their community.
The LDA office is located in the birth house of Bözödi György, a writer/poet, who was born in the village. The women’s association meets regularly in this room, and every other week we have film club. We have organized a training already here, four community meetings, two with the coordination of Civitas, and two on our own, so that we can create d village strategy, and set up priorities.
