Rural Community Assets: Description Through Social Mapping and Jane's Walk

Abstract

Introduction: This study focuses on Curiñanco, a rural village in southern Chile, with a rural health center oriented towards primary health care (PHC). Its population is diverse, characte­rized by a high proportion of women, elderly people, and a significant representation of the Mapuche Lafkenche indigenous people; in ad­dition, there has been an increasing population due to migration in the past years. Objective: To describe the territorial needs perceived by community members and residents of Curiñanco, and to identify their community assets (CA) using participatory methodologies and georeferencing tools during 2024. Methods: A qualitative study was conducted within the Participatory Action Research frame. Social mapping and Jane’s walk techniques were used to collect data. For the georeferencing of CA, printed maps, a mobile application and Geographic Information System software were used. Results: A total of 121 points were geo­referenced and many CA were identified, with the coastline and the beach standing out as some of the most relevant. The analysis of the participants’ speech was categorized into four dimensions: socio-territorial, accessibility, health and environmental-cultural. Conclusions: The experience allowed the development of a participatory diagnostic process highly relevant to PHC. These findings revealed the priority given to environmental stewardship, with particular concern for the pollution of watersheds and the deterioration of the coastline. Visibilizing these problems is crucial to ensuring respect for the territory and the healing processes of the Mapu­che Lafkenche people. This highlights the need to strengthen a salutogenic approach in PHC, demonstrating that participatory mapping and the identification of CA constitute an effective strategy for empowering the community by recognizing its intrinsic strengths.