Gather the facts

So you've decided on your cause? That's great!

Before you just jump in, make sure to do your research. This will help you decide what actions to take. The more you know about your cause, the more effective you'll be, so make sure to spend some time on this part!

You can gather this information through desktop research, using printed and online sources such as books, newspapers, journals and the internet. You can also talk to different people who are linked to the issue. Make sure you speak to many people such as government officials, community members and experts and academics.

Your five big questions:

• Who is affected? Are they affected directly and indirectly? Is there a particular group who is vulnerable? Does it affect the wider community? Does religion and/or culture play a role in this issue?

• Where do the people who are affected live? Is it a global issue? A regional one? Specific to your community?

• How are people affected? Which rights are being violated? Who benefits from the situation as it is?

• Why are people affected? What is the underlying cause of the problem? It might be poverty or lack of access to water. It might be a combination of things.

• What can be done? Who are the ‘rule-makers’ and how are decisions made? Have some solutions already been tried? Why did or didn't they work? Who is standing in the way of progress?

Tip: Research on your local situation can be more relevant for practical action in your community. So, while informing yourself about the global situation on HIV and AIDS can be good, it may be more practical to know how HIV is affecting families in your neighbourhood. As much as you can, think local!