Our Modus Operandi

Poverty is a threat to human dignity

Jhf uses a “One New Village at a Time Approach,” a ‘3S’ Strategic Framework, and Strategic Drivers of Success.

1. One New Village at a Time Approach

This approach is adapted from Saemaul Undong (SU), a community-driven development initiative implemented in South Korea during the 1970s. SU, also referred to as the “New Village Movement,” has been largely successful in transforming the country’s rural areas and overall economy.

Here is how JHF makes use of the adapted SU initiative:

In a rural area, a village community referred to as a J-village is selected based on its documented history of extreme poverty and hunger.
Efforts are concentrated on the development of this J-village until tangible impacts are obtained or begin to occur.
Programs and activities are tailored to the specific needs and potential of the J-village under consideration.
Progress and impact achieved at a given J-village persuade other new village communities or J-villages to adopt JHF’s community development strategy.

2. The “3S” Strategic Framework

(a) Strengthening the Body

Most people in the newly selected J-village are in poor physical condition because their basic needs are unmet.

Basic needs such as food, nutrition, shelter, clothing, vaccination, medicine, safe drinking water, sanitation, and other urgent services are freely provided to make villagers physically fit and capable of carrying out their development tasks.
Provision of basic needs is time-bound and coupled with a campaign designed to avoid aid dependency that could weaken villagers’ drive for work and self-reliance.

(b) Strengthening the Mind

History shows a nation’s fate depends on the mentality of its people. Jhf is committed to:

Changing self-defeating mindsets of villagers.
Creating awareness among villagers of their potential to change their lives without compromising social values, traditions, or culture.
Encouraging villagers to free themselves from poverty and hunger and to work actively.
Ensuring rural communities rely not on aid, but on themselves to advance sustainable development.

(c) Strengthening the Community

Strengthening the community means fostering Sustainable Rural Development (SRD), balancing economic growth, social equity, and environmental stewardship. This includes small-scale farmers, tenants, sharecroppers, landless laborers, and small owners. SRD objectives include:

Empowering rural people, especially women, resource-poor farmers, and youth through local policies involving communities.
Promoting sustainable farming.
Educating rural populations.
Investing in infrastructure and services (water, health, education, irrigation).
Supporting vulnerable households (elderly, disabled, unemployed).
Fostering energy access.
Building resilience.
Linking agriculture to other sectors.
Promoting gender equity, entrepreneurship, livelihoods, markets, and ecosystem protection.

Achieving SRD requires these objectives to interact effectively. JHF believes it is difficult but possible if actions are impact-driven and tailored to the specific needs of J-villages.

3. Strategic Drivers of JHF’s Agenda

(a) Agriculture

Each 1% increase in agricultural productivity in Africa reduces poverty by 0.6%. Sustainable agriculture is critical for poverty eradication in SSA. JHF learns from African best practices and Saemaul Undong principles of diligence, self-help, and cooperation from Korea.

(b) Community Mobilization and Empowerment

Jhf enhances rural community participation in decision-making and strengthens local ownership of development.

(c) J-Villagers Association and J-Fund

A well-organized J-Villagers’ Association is required for JHF’s fieldwork. This association implements development programs with JHF’s financial and technical support.
Members contribute monthly to the J-Fund, an amount affordable for the poor. The J-Fund supports loans, health insurance, and local projects.

(d) Government Support

Fighting poverty and hunger requires collaboration with local authorities, which JHF actively pursues.

(e) Partnership

JHF forms formal agreements with institutions that share its goals.

(f) Technology

Though Africa faces technological challenges, available appropriate technologies can support sustainable development if used effectively.

(g) Sustainability

JHF’s sustainability relies on a strong, empowered C-Villagers Association, the J-Fund, credit and insurance schemes, and strong partnerships.

Poverty is a threat to human dignity