Project Weave: listening to Alexandra
With Khulisa Social Solutions
Together with Khulisa Social Solutions, we ran a baseline survey, a facilitated dialogue circle and a follow-up evaluation with residents. This was a pilot: 25 residents completed the baseline and 24 the follow-up. It is a first, honest picture, not a claim to have spoken to everyone.
What we found
- 64% of residents who took part were unemployed, and 84% named a lack of jobs as a barrier.
- 76% said fear or insecurity stops them doing things they would otherwise do, at least sometimes.
- 68% said something promised to their community had not materialised, and 60% said this had happened many times.
- 88% believed people from different backgrounds can work together, and residents were ready to give their time and knowledge.
Safety and economic insecurity came through as one problem, not two. And trust has to be earned first: promises made and not kept are the main reason new efforts are met with doubt.