The Importance of a Homologue

One of the most important things about a project is finding a more than adequate homologue (counterpart). For me, and the majority of my projects it’s pretty clear cut. I have a CSPS (health center) full of staff, a COGES (group that “manages” the CSPS), and other people who are connected to the health center. For other sectors it’s a little bit less clear cut but you get the point. It’s important.

Now, what makes a good homologue? Excellent question.

1)      A good homologue is interested in the material (and already somewhat knowledgeable about the subject matter). This is important for several reasons. First, if the counterpart isn’t interested in the material, they probably won’t work too hard to help you out and make the project a success. If a counterpart is interested in the material, they will be more animated and the group you’re working with has a greater chance of being more animated as well. Animation is good.

2)      A good homologue is respected within the community. Appearances mean a lot in Burkina Faso. If you pick a homologue that spends the majority of the day at the bar drinking beer- chances are they won’t be very well respected in the community. Thus, people are less likely to come to your project, people are less likely to give support, etc. The list of unfortunate consequences goes on and on- but the lesson is thus: pick someone well respected.

3)      A good homologue speaks the language. This one is fairly self-explanatory. Communication is key. Pick someone that can communicate better than you can. If this is moore, find a moore speaker. If it’s not, find someone else who speaks that language.

4)      A good homologue has time to do the project. There are lots of motivated people in Burkina Faso who have the first 3 qualifications but don’t have time, so they’re never available and always busy. You don’t want someone who is going to bail on your sensibilization 5 minutes beforehand.

When you find someone who satisfies the above criteria, you are in luck. You have found your counterpart! Pat yourself on the back, take a deep breath, because you have managed to pique this person’s interest, doesn’t mean you’ll keep it. You’ve gotta really sell it, and yourself now. If you do this, sit down and figure out with your homologue what you’re going to do. If you’re talking about nutrition, what are you talking about? Proper feeding techniques? How to make bouille? When to exclusively breast feed your child? Yea, nutrition isn’t just about eating the food pyramid (though in Burkina Faso it’s the food house) it’s all those little pieces put together that we don’t really think about in the US. Every topic has lots of little nuances that typically don’t register.

The homologue must understand the material as well as you do if you’re going to be successful. Chances are they’re going to be leading the discussion, session, etc and you shoot yourself in the foot if you keep interrupting all the time. And, if they start saying things that aren’t true or head off on a tangent that you really don’t want to start down it’s a waste of time (perdre de temps).

In the Peace Corps, you don’t have one counterpart. You have many. There’s one “point person” who is the Peace Corps’ primary contact person but you’re free to work with whomever you’d like. Though, it is polite to keep the point person informed (professional courtesy) and being Burkinabe they can probably help in some way, shape, or form.

A good homologue can make all the difference between an “Awesome!” or a “WTF was that?”

Choose wisely.