Creating Positive Change (Part 3) Unintended Impact

An example of Unintended Impact (part 3) David Kashakele



Part 3 - Unintended Impact
David was sponsored for secondary school by ZMF-C some years ago. I've spoken about him before....I can't help it. He is a humble man who has made good choices since he was a teenager. He is frequently on my mind, and in my prayers. He didn't qualify academically for college, but ....he has always had a passion to be a preacher and with much determination and persistence he graduated from SA Bible school recently. And now...he's the Bible teacher at Butale, a community close to Kalomo, where ZMF-C has contributed some funds. 

His Bible school training is unique! It's holistic approach prepares Bible teachers for community development. While David and I didn't have enough time to share together regarding his development material, it was evident that he was already "practicing" some of what he learned. He was making relationship with individual families within the community and "counselling" on a variety of topics such as budgeting and working together in community. 

There is much potential in David. And it wasn't imagined that David would come "full-circle" returning to ZMF-C in the capacity of Butale school Bible teacher.  This was an unintended impact. 

Sometimes unintended impact can be not so positive. ....As Tearfund notes: "For example, we may have held a community meeting where people have become angry. This may have stirred up conflict within the community. We should monitor and evaluate our project carefully for unintended impacts so that we can learn important lessons for the future. We can also celebrate and learn from unexpected positive impacts. (as with the David example!). 

So...in all things we can learn and grow....whether positive or negative. We are grateful for organizations such as Tearfund who are eager to serve in the capacity of further equipping Christian relief and development organizations. 

Look them up: Tearfund