Training for investigators

Earlier this week, there was a day-long training session for the investigators of the Approach team.
As you know, Mumbai Smiles has hired the services of Approach consultancy to conduct research to help us know and understand better the needs of the slum communities we plan to work with.
After they submitted their initial reports, the investigation now enters the next phase -- intensive research will be conducted in four slums over the next few months, by a group of skilled and bright investigators.

The investigators were brought in for a training session so as to educate and sensitise them about how to deal with the slum community when they go for their field visits. After all, since they will be going into people's homes and asking them questions, it is critical that they do it as sensitively as possible.

The session was conducted by Sachin Bhagat, who is heading the whole research project.

Sachin spoke to the investigators about how they need to conduct the investigation -- who to speak to, what to observe, how to record their observations, how to mind people's sentiments (personal, religious, etc), how to maintain the peace, etc.

He also shared the feedback that the Approach officers had got from their initial research, which would help the investigators in their work -- for example, grassroots workers in the slums had warned the team that the inhabitants are wary of Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) officials; they tend to think that any outsider is visiting them about the SRA scheme and are antagonistic towards them. Therefore, this is something our researchers need to be aware of on their visits.

Some members of the Mumbai Smiles team too sat in on the session, because it is important for all of us to be aware.

With the path laid out, research is due to start next week. We'll keep you posted.