Building a prosperous Community requires joint collaboration

Different examples substantiate the fact that some communities are vulnerable to social injustice as in some countries (Cannon, T. et al., 2003); violence, poverty, ignorance and illiteracy have remained at a high alarming rate. Considering the fact that some people are being rated minority, the idea of “we have the power over you” has caused some people feeling inferior and unable to contribute to the changes we need to see in this world full of complex phenomena (Mansuri, G. & Rao, V., 2004).
All human have the right to a life (Fenwick, H., 2009). This last needs to be to a level that brings happiness and feeling of belonging into the society. Creating self-esteem and self-actualization into societies require a moral and ethical value in every individual and organization to work for the benefit of societies (Mruk, C., 2006).
Universities and higher learning institutions can be a top asset to harness the power of students to the communities via three pillars of community development being research, teaching and community outreach programs (Hoyt, L., 2013). The lack of outreaching the communities infers the lack of knowledge about what is going on in the communities and how to go about the problems that if unsolved become threatening to the countries. What is going on in communities explains what needs to be done in order to raise the communities to a certain level of satisfaction where they feel self-reliant and dignified; because social problems become a key issue of concern and a baseline to develop projects that would benefit communities.
A number of projects aligned with communities’ needs if adopted by Universities and high learning institutions benefit both communities and institutions through students. Other projects may be carried out by students and benefit the environment and the community. Different programmes may be thought about while outreaching communities; these may include Environmental conservation projects, education to Health care, Family planning, Disaster risks reduction strategies, Reading and writing, communication skills, strategic problem solving strategies, Peace building, unity and reconciliation, savings, cooperatives making and benefits, modern agriculture techniques, Business plan and management and others that can be brainstormed by students and faculties while planning for community outreach programs.
The benefits from engaging in such outreach programs vary from students through universities and learning institutions to the communities where each part gets a tremendous gain that results into improved reputation and life change. Institutions may get new areas of research, new topics for teaching and some other may find new areas for investment. While working close with communities, students may get the case studies of their theses and dissertation, building capacities as they are converting theories got from class to practices and also getting experiences of the real world. In this scenario, communities livelihoods are improved, and the sense of social inequity alleviated.
Engaging learning institutions into community based services would be a one way driver to build a resilient community where each individual feels safe at home, and become part of the problem solving process than becoming a social burden and threat to the country. Universities therefore should understand their crucial role in working for the benefit of societies while producing a task force ready to engage with communities.
