The word “community” is derived from the Latin word communis which means “common, public or shared by many”. Thus the concept of a community involves a group of people with various things in common. What those things are will determine the nature of the community, its strength and cohesiveness.
Throughout our lives, we are and become part of different groups. To begin with, we are born into a family, immediate and extended, then become part of various units as we attend school, are involved in sport teams or activity groups, or join a profession, trade or workplace. Any place where we feel we “fit in” or identify with like others is thus a community of sorts.
Therefore, we are born into some communities, such as ethnic or religious communities, and others are acquired throughout our lives, through the activities we choose and the way in which we perceive ourselves as part of a greater society. Communities are often formed through sharing a similar world view or attitude to a particular issue or to life in general. For example, a community may exist around a sporting club, church congregation, professional association or nationality, and we may become part of such a community through chance of birth, religious conviction, belief in a cause, education or employment.
The feeling of belonging to and a need to help others in that group are central to a feeling of community, and community centres thus provide a place for the members of a community to meet and carry on the activities that are significant for that community.
Throughout our lives, we are and become part of different groups. To begin with, we are born into a family, immediate and extended, then become part of various units as we attend school, are involved in sport teams or activity groups, or join a profession, trade or workplace. Any place where we feel we “fit in” or identify with like others is thus a community of sorts.
Therefore, we are born into some communities, such as ethnic or religious communities, and others are acquired throughout our lives, through the activities we choose and the way in which we perceive ourselves as part of a greater society. Communities are often formed through sharing a similar world view or attitude to a particular issue or to life in general. For example, a community may exist around a sporting club, church congregation, professional association or nationality, and we may become part of such a community through chance of birth, religious conviction, belief in a cause, education or employment.
The feeling of belonging to and a need to help others in that group are central to a feeling of community, and community centres thus provide a place for the members of a community to meet and carry on the activities that are significant for that community.