In the mid 1980s, the AIDS epidemic was a big threat to people and communities in Zambia. At the time, Dr. Ian Campbell and his colleague Elvis Simamvwa both worked at a hospital in Chikankata, Zambia where the rising cases overwhelmed the facility. They knew that they needed to take another approach to change the situation.
In this episode, listen to how the SALT method started and how listening and acknowledging strengths in the community brought change.
Podcast Highlights
The origin of the Salt method
Dr Ian Campbell and Elvis Simamvwa discuss the inception of the Salt community engagement method during the AIDS epidemic in Zambia, emphasising the need to connect with communities on a personal level in order to find solutions to concerns and problems.
Key principles of Salt
Sharing stories, appreciating strengths, learning through listening, and working as a team are all key principles of the Salt approach. These core principles enable people to find solutions by listening to local community members’ concerns and desires, which builds trust and strong connections. Salt is described as a holistic, experiential learning process that goes beyond traditional interventions.
Salt creates sustainable, long-lasting impact
Encouraging continuous engagement with communities, Salt is not a one-time visit, but a journey that unfolds over several years. The organic growth of trust, emergence of local facilitators and positive outcomes in health-related actions contribute to the method's sustainable impact.Â
Listen to how SALT changed not only a community, but also a corporation in India here