PARTICIPATORY ASSESSMENT REPORT.

1
&
COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM.
ICD 531: PROJECT DESIGN AND MANAGEMENT.
DAR ES SALAAM – CENTRE.
SUBJECT: PARTICIPATORY ASSESSMENT REPORT.
STUDENT: SHIGUKULU, ZACHARIA FULI.
CLASS: 3.
INSTRUCTOR: DR HUSSEIN SINDA.
DATE: APRIL, 2008.
2
TABLE OF CONTENTS. PAGE.
1.0 TABLE OF CONTENTS………………………………………………………….2
2.0 INTRODUCTION…………………………………………………………………3
3.0 BACK GROUND INFORMATION……………………………………………...4
3.1 Community profile…………………………………………………………4
3.2 CBO Profile………………………………………………………………...5
4.0 AIMS/ OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSESSMENT…….…………………………..6
5.0 METHODOLOGIES………………………………………………………………7
5.1 Methods used in community assessment…………………………………8
5.2 Methods used in economic assessment……………………………………9
5.3 Methods used in health assessment………………………………………10
5.4 Methods used in environmental assessment…………………………......11
6.0 PARTICIPANT COMPOSITION……………………………………….………13
7.0 FINDINGS…………………………………………………… ………………….13
7.1 Asset/best practices………………………………………………………..13
7.2 Community assessment findings……………………………………...….14
7.3 Economic assessment findings……………………………………………17
7.4 Environmental assessment findings……………………………..………19
7.5 Health assessment findings………………………………………………..21
8.0 CHALLENGES…………………………………………………………………….22
9.0 CONCLUSION AND WAY FORWAD……………….…………………….…....22
10. REFERENCES……………………………………………………………………..23
3
2.0 INTRODUCTION.
In this paper, I am going to examine and explain on how participatory assessment was
conducted in the community of my own choice, the methodologies, findings observed
during the assessment and eventually use of the findings to prioritize the problem in a
participatory manner.
The exercise done in collaboration with the selected Community Based Organization
known as UMAKWA i.e. Umoja wa Maendeleo eneo la Kwamtoro, the government,
other stake holders and the Kwamtoro community. The Participatory assessment
included the Community assessment, the economic assessment, the environment
assessment and the health assessment.
However the main focus regarding this assessment is to identify problems and eventually
develop a project proposal basing on one of the 6 CED guiding principles namely
‘Developing a strong and sustainable local economy, through building local capacity
to sustain CED, so as to attempt to solve the identified problems in a joint effort.
4
3.0 BACKGROUND INFORMATION.
3.1 COMMUNITY PROFILE.
Location and climatic conditions.
Kwamtoro division is one of the 8 divisions of Kondoa District that is in Dodoma
Region. It is located in Southern Kondoa, lying between latitude 30o to 37 o East at
an altitude ranging from 1056 to 1300m above sea level. The area has 2 major
seasons, wet season from December to April and dry season from May to November.
Annual rainfalls ranging from 500-800mm per annum. Temperature ranges between
20 o C and 25 o C with an annual average of 22 o C; Annual average humidity is
67%. The, mean annual wind velocity is 130kms blowing from South- East West to
Northwest.
Coverage and demographic status
The area covers 950 Square kilometers that is about 7% of the total district area.
The total population is about 33,010 whereby 9,283 are females, 8,372 males, and
5,917 are boys and 9,438 girls with the average growth rate of 2.9% per annum,
as per 2002 census report. Dominant tribes in the area are Sandawe, Gogo, Nyaturu
and Barbeig who are basically pastoralists. More than 50% are Christians, 30%
Muslims and about 20% animists
5
Administration.
Kwamtoro Division is statutory divided in five (5) Wards, namely Lalta, Kwamtoro
and Ovada; others are Sanzawa and Mpendo.
Nevertheless, UMAKWA CBO covers three wards, these being Lalta, Kwamtoro and
Ovada. It encompasses a total of 17 villages
Socio- economic activities.
In comparison with other parts of the United Republic of Tanzania, this area is
estimated to have lower per-capita income (of less than 100,000 TSHS). Arable
farming, livestock husbandry and beekeeping are the major economic activities
Mixed farming is being practiced in this area i.e. crop-livestock integration. 30% of
the total population is agro-pastoralists and the rest are peasants.
Crops grown include: millet, sorghum, bulrush millet, groundnuts, cassava, sesame,
sweet potatoes, sunflower, pigeon peas and cowpeas.
3.1 CBO PROFILE.
The selected Community Based Organization is known as Umoja wa Maendeleo eneo la
Kwamtoro (UMAKWA). It is the Community Based Organization dealing with holistic
development issues. Its registration number is SO 14516 of 30th September, 2006.
UMAKWA operates in the Kwamtoro Division where by it covers three wards namely;
Kwamtoro, Lalta and Ovada in Kondoa District which is in Dodoma Region. The
coverage area of operation of UMAKWA is about 950 sq kms while the total population
as per 2002 census is 33,010 at projected rate of 2.9%
6
The aim/purpose of the Community Based Organization is to improve socio-economic
life of the community within the operation area. Its mission is to mobilize and involve
community for sustainable economic development through using the locally available
resources and other resources from outside the community.
In its operation, UMAKWA focuses on Agriculture, Health, and Education, Community
capacity building, Gender & Advocacy, HIV/AIDS & Malaria prevention and control,
Income generating activities and other related activities.
4.0 AIMS/OBJECTIVES OF PARTICIPATORY ASSESSMENT.
Participatory assessment is the process of gathering, analyzing, and reporting information
about the needs of your community and the capacities or strengths that are also currently
available in your community to meet those needs. A community assessment begins by
convening a group of citizens, establishing a vision and prioritizing the issues that require
change. This collaborative effort between local citizens provides a foundation for a
community assessment that includes professionals who have expertise on issues and
others who are likely to be affected by the changes you are planning ( such as children
and parents). The aim/objectives of the participatory assessment including Community
assessment, Economic assessment, Health assessment and Environment assessment were
as outlined below;

To understand the Kwamtoro Community and the operation of UMAKWA CBO.

To learn more about NGOs and other stake holders working in the community.

To identify problem/stresses, the causes of stresses, and community assets and
other best practices.
7

To collect information from the community in a participatory and joint manner.

To analyze the information and identify the problems/needs, capacities and
strengths available in the community, and ultimately prioritize the community
needs.

Use findings to develop/formulate a statement of a problem.

Develop project/programme proposal as an attempt to solve the jointly identified
problem.
5.0 METHODOLOGIES.
The methods used to collect/gather information were interview method; where by the
participants (stake holders were asked questions. Questionnaires and schedule were
prepared. Structured questionnaires were prepared. The questions were both closed and
open.
Focus group discussion was also used to collect data from the selected women, youths
and IGA groups.
Other methods used were-key informant interview, where by 20 individuals were selected
for their knowledge. In-depth and semi structured interviews were used to interview the
selected individuals. Interview guides listing topics were used.
However, questions were framed during the interview using probing techniques.
Community interview- public meetings were conducted where by questions from the
prepared interview guide were asked by the team of interviewers and answered by the
participants.
8
Direct observation and transect walk were also used. The CED student and CBO officials
recorded the information in the sites, meetings, gatherings and discussion.
Secondary data reviews were used.
5.1 METHODS USED IN COMMUNTY ASSESSMENT.
During community assessment, we used different methods and techniques.
such as demographic information.
Interview- focused or controlled interview has been used to test some particular
practices. The questions are pre-determined, pre-planed and reframed on the basis of the
pre-determined or pre-studied situation. The social and psychological reactions were
tested. The method was used because it enabled to study the events that are not open to
observation, also to study abstract factors like attitudes, back emotion reactions. It studies
the phenomena in its historical background.
Past events were studied through this method, and information gathered is quite reliable.
Another method used during community assessment was- questionnaire, which is very
less cost and expenditure compared to other method like observation.
It is only getting the questions prepared, and postage expenses, no much time on traveling
on meeting people, and need less skill to administer. Since the coverage of my chosen
community covers the large geographical and the informants are scattered, questionnaire
method helped to cover the larger area.
9
Focus group discussion method also used, where by small groups of people with
common interest e.g. IGAs groups, cultural groups, and business men/women were used.
Through this method, the selected data using other techniques were cross-checked.
The group size ranged from 7-10 participants. Interview guide were prepared in advance
before the day of discussion.
The selected participants were informed in advance on the date, time and venue for
discussion. Secondary data reviews were also used to get other secondary
information
5.2 METHODS USED IN ECONOMIC ASSESSMENT.
During Economic assessment, we used different methods and techniques.
Interview- focused or controlled interview has been used to test some particular
practices. The questions are pre-determined, pre-planed and reframed on the basis of
the pre-determined or pre-studied situation. The social and psychological reactions
were tested. The method was used because it enabled to study the events that are not
open to observation, also to study abstract factors like attitudes, back emotion
reactions. It studies the phenomena in its historical background.
Past events were studied through this method, and information gathered is quite
reliable.
Another method used during community assessment was- questionnaire, which is
very less cost and expenditure compared to other method like observation.
It is only getting the questions prepared, and postage expenses, no much time on traveling
on meeting people, and need less skill to administer.
10
Since the coverage of my chosen community covers the large geographical and the
informants are scattered, questionnaire method helped to cover the larger area.
Focus group discussion method also used, where by small groups of people with common
interest e.g. IGAs groups, cultural groups, and business men/women were used.
Through this method, the selected data using other techniques were cross-checked.
The group size ranged from 7-10 participants. Interview guide were prepared in advance
before the day of discussion.
The selected participants were informed in advance on the date, time and venue for
discussion. Secondary data reviews were also used to get other secondary information
such as demographic information.
5.3 METHODS USED IN HEALTH ASSESSMENT.
Observation- The participants observed the reality on the field to compare what was said
in the questionnaires. We used controlled observation where by a systematic observation
based on logic and reasoning was planed before. This method is objective oriented and
free from bias and prejudice. The observers were also as participants.
A non-participant observation method was also used where by the observer is present
in the group but he does not participate in their activities. The method was used due to the
number of reasons namely;

Simplistic and non-technical requirements.

It is also a greater accuracy guaranteed as the data collected or results achieved
are more accurate since the researcher himself collects data.
11

Moreover the result are more dependable and convincing that, results are based on
the data collected as the researcher himself collects the data and know that they
are correct.
Transect walk was also used where by I and CBO members walked to verify the
information reviewed from secondary data tools. Secondary data reviews were also
used to get other secondary information such as disease out break and infection
information.
Interview- focused or controlled interview has been used to test some particular
practices. The questions are pre-determined, pre-planed and reframed on the basis of the
pre-determined or pre-studied situation. The social and psychological reaction were
tested
The method was used because it enabled to study the events that are not open to
observation, also to study abstract factors like attitudes, back emotion reactions.
It studies the phenomena in its historical background. Past events were studied through
this method, and information gathered is quite reliable.
5.4 METHODS USED IN ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT.
Observation- The participants observed the reality on the field to compare what was
said in the questionnaires.
We used controlled observation where by a systematic observation based on logic and
reasoning was planed before. This method is objective oriented and free from bias
and prejudice. The observers were also as participants.
12
A non-participant observation method was also used where by the observer is
present in the group but he does not participate in their activities. The method was
used due to the number of reasons namely;

Simplistic and non-technical requirements.

It is also a greater accuracy guaranteed as the data collected or results achieved
are more accurate since the researcher himself collects data.

Moreover the result are more dependable and convincing that, results are based on
the data collected as the researcher himself collects the data and know that they
are correct.
Transect walk was also used where by I and CBO members walked to verify the
information reviewed from secondary data tools. Secondary data reviews were also used
to get other secondary information such as forest reserves and other natural resources
information.
Interview- focused or controlled interview has been used to test some particular
practices. The questions are pre-determined, pre-planed and reframed on the basis of the
pre-determined or pre-studied situation. The social and psychological reactions were
tested.
The method was used because it enabled to study the events that are not open to
observation, also to study abstract factors like attitudes, back emotion reactions.
It studies the phenomena in its historical background. Past events were studied through
this method, and information gathered is quite reliable.
13
6.0 PARTICIPANT COMPOSITION.
As the name of the exercise, participatory assessment involved different stake holders
within the community. The exercise conducted in three administrative wards of Ovada,
Lalta and Kwamtoro. Division, Ward and Villages Leaders participated.
NGOs like World Vision, Faith Based Organizations like mosques and churches were
represented by their respective leaders. Income generating activities group were also
represented, Women, Children, and youth were also represented in the exercise. 8
members from the UMAKWA Board of trustees participated.
Technical staff such as Rural Extension Officers, Ward Education Officers, Medical
Doctors, Nurses and Teachers were participated and consulted on technical issues and
information. Income generating activities group were also represented,
7.0 FINDINGS.
7.1 Assets/Best practices in the area.

Presence of other NGOs, and FBOs like World vision, Africare, RFSP, SEDA,
Churches.

Artistic and cultural activities in the community are sufficient.

Traditional dances and entertainments are still respected and highly valued hence
entertain the community, unites, and bring self esteem, personality and
community identity.
14

Availability of natural resources such as forests, bees, stone and minerals, sands
and animal reserves

Manpower/labor.
7.2 COMMUNITY ASSESSMENT FINDINGS.
The communities in the three Wards of Ovada, Lalta, and Kwamtoro have high
awareness on development issues due to the presence of World Vision Tanzania in the
area for almost 16 years.
However, it was noted that the community voluntarism is declining as time goes
compared to when World Vision entered in the area in 1992. The reasons behind the
voluntarism decline are poor supervision of the planned activities, egoism, lack of social
capital and misuse/misinterpretation of political freedom and democracy.
The community decision-making in the area is an open-minded process as the whole
community involved in planning and other community issues. The area is dominated by
the tribes of Sandawe, Gogo, Nyaturu, and Barbeig, and all are involved in community
activities. All genders, age groups, ethnic groups, traditional believers (animists) are
involved to reach the community decisions.
New ideas and alternative points are encouraged and accepted. However, women and
children participation in decision making is still low compared to men. There are gender
imbalances in leadership position, for example there is no women leader at Division and
Ward level, while there are only three women leaders at village level among the 17
villages.
Most of the Wards, Village, and Sub-village leaders have not received enough training to
enable them to perform there duties well. Village Governments are not competent enough
15
to manage their affairs. Village leaders, Extension workers and Ward Education Officers
have no transport and other working facilities to enable them to reach the target group
and perform their respective duties effectively.
The community seems to be a good place to raise children as good tradition values are
maintained and bad traditional values are removed and discouraged such as female
genital mutilation.
However, it is only good by approximately 60%, since there are some basic needs for
children remain unfulfilled or inadequate such as Education, health care and balanced
diet.
The community is not dealing adequately with poverty due to lack of capital, human
capacity, social capital as a result other basic needs termed as luxury such as balanced
diet, education, and other human right especially women and children right. Most of the
community members are not accessing health care due to low income. The cost of living
compared among community members differs, but majority of them are low income
earners and there cost of living are very high compared to District, Region and National
figures due to lack of small scale industries. Most of industrial and semi finished goods
come from the District and Region of which includes transport costs from manufacturing
place/plant to the community.
The community per capita income is 100,000/= tshs per annum compared to 135,000/=
tshs per annum of the District figure, while the average working distance to access basic
needs and services is 2 to 10 kms. The basic needs include; water, fuel, markets, shops,
Dispensary, Rural Health Clinics, Primary Schools, Secondary Schools, Traditional Birth
Attendants, milling machines and Cooperatives.
16
Most labor is carried by women in the community. This means women in the community
have to walk long distances to fetch for water, collect firewood, take children to health
centers, attend farm activities and get to markets, milling machines, shops and other
essential service centers. There is no financial institution in the area until 85 km long in
Kondoa town.
The housing in the community is not adequate. More than 70% of the population live in
the muddy grass roofed houses or not improved houses.
There are some community assets and traditional values declined such as admiration that
is relation between children and adults. Formerly, the children were treated as children of
the community. Any parent could warn or advise any child irrespective of child- parent
relationship, but today it is not acceptable to punish children who are not their own sons
or daughters. This decline of traditional values resulted into decline of respect among
community members, absence of social capital and ultimately increase of labor outflows
as youth are moving to town for job search as house girls/boys and barmaids. Some
cultural differences resulting in conflict for example, barbeigs tribes are animal keepers
while Sandawe tribes are hunters and farmers traditionally. There fore, sometimes animal
feed on farmers crops hence conflict arises between animal keepers and farmers.
In addition, men are not allowed to check/inspect food storage facilities as it is only
women who are supposed to control and monitor each and every thing in storage
facilities. Contrary to that conflict may arise between father and mother in the family.
Education facilities in the community are not sufficient. Some villages have no primary
schools e.g. Kisande Village. Even those with schools, the classrooms, desks and text
books are not sufficient and there fore not helpful to business and labor in the
17
community. However, the artistic and cultural activities in the community are sufficient.
Traditional dances and entertainments are still respected and highly valued hence
entertain the community, unites, and bring self esteem, personality and community
identity.
7.3 ECONOMIC ASSESSMENTS FINDINGS.
Kwamtoro community is one among the community in Tanzania with little Business and
Economic activities. Even these little existing business are not doing well these include;
transportation, petty business like women cafes, milling machines etc. these businesses
and economic activities are not doing well due to lack of reliable markets, low per capita
income among the community members, low savings, lack of source of capital, lack of
entrepreneurship skill, lack of financial institution and services until 85km long in
Kondoa or 165 km in Dodoma, hence low money circulation in the local economy.
Moreover, transportation sector is hurting more than other sector due to poor
infrastructures and poor economic growth. Although it is usually difficult to get a
business or home loan in the area, in some locality like Msera Village, local economy
success make housing more affordable to the community members due to small scale
irrigation activities and vegetable production.
Private investors tend to shun the community due to lack of markets, low economic
growth and poor infrastructures. The community expansion through influx of Barbeigs,
Nyaturu and Gogo from the neighbor Districts helps business, although in some places
cause environmental degradation.
There are certain types of jobs paid less than living wage. These include; labor employed
in domestic works as house girls/boys, labor employed in agriculture and labor employed
18
to look after cattle. Business and other economic activities do not provide adequate
benefits to employees. However there are prospects of employments to improve for the
next generation due to expansion of agriculture sector, improvement of education and
opening of more Secondary Schools and other civil services in the community.
The challenge of today is inadequate job training being received by employees and the
job opportunities are not matching with the job skills in the community. Some of the jobs
such as computer operator, health/medical staff and Secondary teachers are very hard to
fill, where by the community residents can not fill them. Business people feel to operate
in a hard business environment due to lack of reliable markets, Poor infrastructures and
lack of reliable source of capital or financial institutions. There is only one weak saving
and credit cooperative society which stationed its head quarter at Kwamtoro village. The
saccos failed to mobilize more members to join it due to long distance from some of the
villages to the saccos office, poor knowledge on saving and entrepreneurship.
Industrial goods and other semi processed items are bought from out side the community
because there are even no small scale industries. Agricultural products and other animal
products are purchased from within the community, though are not produced at optimum
point. Much money and other resources leak from the local economy because the local
economy promote more out flows than inflows, that is industrial goods and other services
like transportation, banking etc take a large amount of resources received through selling
of agriculture and animal products. However, economic development tends to emphasize
business retention and expansion.
19
Agriculture sector is the most beneficial in the community as it employ almost 95% of
the population and is the only main reliable source of income in the community though
there is about 25% disguised unemployment in the local economy. There are very few
people employed in other business apart from agriculture and animal husbandry, despite
the fact that they have no appropriate business skills necessary to succeed.
The size of informal business is very small which benefits less than 25% of the
population. The public service and infrastructure are not adequate to promote informal
business, for example there is only one rural health centre, one Police station, no fire
station, only three Secondary schools, no tarmac roads and no passable feeder roads to
join the villages scattered over the area of 950 sq kms.
Despite the inadequate public services in the area, the community attracting new growth
that will require expansion of existing services/facilities and the creation of new facilities
and they are ready to pay or contribute for the services.
7.4 ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENTS FINDINGS.
There is an indiscriminate cutting down of trees in various places of the area due to lack
of alternative sources of energy. Falling of trees is done for firewood and charcoal
burning that is used in urban area particularly Kondoa, Singida and Dodoma towns.
The continued reduced forest cover which has being caused by reduced size of forest
area, caused by uncontrolled livestock grazing, shifting cultivation, high frequency of
wild fires caused by honey collector, hunters, poachers, shifting cultivation, pastoralist
for the aim of getting fresh pasture and eradication of ticks and tsetse fly. These are
hampering natural regeneration resulting in eventual deforestation. There is an
20
indiscriminate cutting down of trees in various places of the area due to lack of
alternative sources of energy. Falling of trees is done for firewood and charcoal burning
that is used in urban area particularly Kondoa, Singida and Dodoma towns.
The continued reduced forest cover which has being caused by reduced size of forest
area, caused by uncontrolled livestock grazing, shifting cultivation, high frequency of
wild fires caused by honey collector, hunters, poachers, shifting cultivation, pastoralist
for the aim of getting fresh pasture and eradication of ticks and tsetse fly. These are
hampering natural regeneration resulting in eventual regeneration.
The continued rate of farm expansion, which is caused by population increase and low
production per unit, leads to the increased demand of more land for farming, hence
increases the depletion of trees and accelerated deforestation with intensive tree cutting.
These unsustainable uses of natural resources lead to depletion of ecosystems and affect
other resources such as water sources of Mala and Totose at Ovada village. Hard woods
as Mininga and Mipingo for furniture are being used faster than they are replenished.
Given the current trend, the community children are likely to find community’s natural
resources and ecosystem services in a very bad condition. There are no recreational
places or activities essential to business in the community except the public holidays.
21
7.5 HEALTH ASSESSMENTS FINDINGS.
In the case of health facilities, the Kwamtoro community has one Health centre at
Kwamtoro and 4 Dispensaries at Magambua, Ovada, Kinyamsindo and Lahoda Villages.
In addition, there are 7 Health posts at Ndoroboni, Msera, Ilasee, Mengu, Takwa, Baaba,
and Dinae Villages. All these health facilities are facing inadequate health staff and other
working facilities including shortage of medical supplies, medical equipments and
furniture. There is no children ward at Kwamtoro health centre. Children are mixed with
adult in case of admission. The health services provided in these facilities include also
HIV/AIDS counseling and testing, malaria and prenatal.
The nearest referral Health centre/Hospital is about 85 kms that is from Kwamtoro to
Kondoa or to Makiungu Hospital in Singida Region. The transport to reach the nearest
referral facilities is not readily available due to poor infrastructure. The Nurse/patient
ratio at Health facilities is 1: 100 the same as medical doctor/ patient ratio. There is no
children ward at the health centre. Children were admitted in the same ward with adults.
More than 40% of the population has no latrine. High occurrences of malaria, diarrhea
pneumonia, skin diseases, anemia and high infection of HIV/AIDS
The Community members’ pays for health services and some times share costs as the
Government and other service providers subsidize the cost. The major service providers
in the community are the government and the church where by the government
contributes 98% and 2% contributed by churches.
22
The current increases in population resulted in an increase and improve of health
facilities and service as their contribution through payment in exchange of service
received in term of treatments, since the services are not offered free of charge. Also they
participate in day today activities and planning session in the community.
8.0 CHALLENGES.

Difficulties to get district data and technical officials for consultation.

Higher expectation of the community to be assisted to solve their problems
irrespective of the student aspiration, education background and experience.

Demand of sitting allowance for participating in the exercise.
9.0 CONCLUSION AND WAY FORWARD.
After going through the information collected, analyzing them, we agreed that, the
problem is “lack of income generating activities, saving and credit initiatives” basing on
my future aspiration, education background and experience I will focus on developing a
strong and sustainable local market economy through, building local capacity to sustain
CED, by mobilizing and creating community awareness on income generating activities,
saving and credit cooperative initiatives, where by the existing IGAs will be strengthened
and mobilized to form a saving and credit cooperative within the community. In summary
my project’s problem statement will be “promotion of income generating activities,
savings and credit initiatives”. The ultimate goal will be to form a strong saving and
credit cooperative society within the community.
23
10.0 REFERENCES.
 Kondoa District profile
 National Population census report, (2002).
 Narayan, J.R.M. (1962). Participation and social assessment. Tools and
techniques.
 Rwegoshora, H.M.M.(2006). A guide to social science research.