Our Strengths

Meeting an expressed need:  One of the strengths of Deep Roots is the extensive field research which has taken place amongst the youth.  In order to address the real needs of young people, we spent over 4 years building up the trust of the youth throughout the diocese; recording the issues they faced and questions they raised.  The result of this work was to be able to produce materials that resonated with the youth.

Community involvement:  Another strength of Deep Roots is the community input and involvement.  Following the research among the youth, leaders meetings were held, where a cross selection of the mature Christian community could contribute on how best these questions and issues should be answered.  This practice continues in the development of all Deep Roots materials and has contributed to a sense of ownership of the programme.

Culturally appropriate:  The discipleship material is different to many Western developed progammes in that it is written in simple Uganda English, using example from the local community and employing the traditional culture of story telling.  This we believe to be a significant strength as the youth can easily connect both to what is being said and the way it is communicated.

Promotion of change: Through the discussions, guided be the materials, Deep Roots seeks to help the youth, to grapple and engage with issues and truths, resulting in them internalizing and owning their faith, rather than simply being able to repeat pat answers. Moreover, the groups provide an important forum for discussion and learning for young people in a culture which gives little priority to them.  The Deep Roots small groups provide for many young people the first opportunity to ask questions regarding their faith, as the Christian community generally view questions as a sign of disbelief.

Expandable model: A further strength of Deep Roots is the expandable nature of the programme, through a “first you learn, then you teach” model.  The growth strategy works by individuals being members of two groups; the first in which a member works through a booklet and learns, the second, once that booklet is complete, in which new members are recruited, the same material is covered a second time thus reinforcing what is learnt and giving opportunity to support the new recruits.

Equipping youth leaders:  The leadership training programme is an important strength of the work of Deep Roots.  Although the church appoints many youth leaders, they are given  little or no training or assistance to carry out their appointed duties.  Through no fault of the youth leaders, a situation of the blind leading the blind often occurs, resulting in the propagation of many spurious teachings.  The leadership training programme responds by providing targeted theological and leadership teaching releveant to the situation on the ground, something that, in the opinion of Deep Roots is much needed.