SHI understands the importance of educating individuals and providing them with the tools and training necessary to become community leaders in sustainability.  Realizing the complexities of culturally and ecologically sensitive development, SHI focuses on long-term assistance through its 5 phase program. During each of the 5 phases (which total roughly 5 years in duration), SHI is evaluating the participant families and staff in order to determine how effective the program has been and if participants are on their way to leading sustainable livelihoods.

FAMILY SELECTION, ORIENTATION & PLANNING
Objective: Selection of communities and families based on predetermined criteria, and preparation of families for the next five years of work, including work plans and trainings.
Length: 9 to 12 months

INTRODUCTION TO NUTRITION, ORGANIC FARMING & CROP DIVERSIFICATION
Objective: Improve family nutrition and secure food systems through crop diversification and the teaching of sustainable farming techniques.
Length: 18 to 24 months

ADVANCED CROP DIVERSIFICATION & INTRODUCTION TO BUSINESS
Objective: Initiate the identification and implementation of farming practices to improve household income through diversification and commercialization at local levels.
Length: 12 months

IDENTIFYING MARKETS & STRENGTHENING ENTREPRENEURIAL SKILLS
Objective: Increase the income of participant families through the sale of farm produce and other goods in local and regional markets, while enhancing work plans to focus on business skills and securing sustainable social and economic conditions.
Length: 12 to 18 months

FAMILY GRADUATION
Objective: Create and inspire self-sufficiency and community leadership while reducing organization’s direct aid.
Length: 6 months

---

Families currently in each phase*

PHASE 1: 153  -  PHASE 2: 400  -  PHASE 3: 157  -  PHASE 4: 70  -  PHASE 5: 0

* As of December 31, 2011

WHAT ARE THE PHASES?

• A structured process or plan with clear objectives and activities
• A means of moving families through the five year process with clear end goals
• Process of evaluating participant families and projects, including Affiliate programs
• More refined and universal approach to implementing and executing SHI’s mission in Affiliate countries
• Concept of continual learning and includes accountability, sustainability, transparency and direction

WHAT ARE THE KEY STAFF ROLES?

• FIELD TRAINERS - To educate families on the phases and work with them to reach pre-established goals, some of which are included in individual family work plans
• COUNTRY DIRECTORS - To provide oversight over implementation of phases and adapt them based on local cultures, politics and more
• FIELD PROGRAM DIRECTOR & REGIONAL COORDINATOR - To assist Country Directors in training staff and implementing phases, and act as third-party evaluators to verify that families are meeting core objectives

Download an Illustrated Flow-Chart that outlines our 5-Phase Approach (PDF).