Implementing Agency:
Department For International Development (PAND)

Managing Institute:
Concern Worldwide

Contractor:
Concern Worldwide

Project Code: 063-680-023	Start Date: 01/04/1991	End Date: 30/04/1996
Commitment: £120,000	Status: Completed	Type of Funding: Bilateral - JFS

Project Background:
Malangali Division is characterised by low morale and a poor sense of community spirit. Leadership at Divisional and Village level is typically by decree as opposed to being participatory. Consequently development projects are sometimes viewed as an extra burden imposed from the outside rather than an opportunity for self development.

There are currently forestry, agriculture, horticulture, engineering and health activities in the area. There is a real danger that the targetted population will suffer "development fatigue" unless all these projects are properly co-ordinated.

The target group for all projects is the lowest income farmers, particularly women. Women (as is typical of Tanzania as a whole) have a very low status and are generally not part of the decision making process. They are largely unaware of their legal rights with regard to property, physical abuse, and marital breakdown. The excessive workload of rural women in Tanzania is well documented. Women are responsible for family food and cash crop production and for the collection of fuelwood and water for household consumption.

Continual vigilance is necessary to ensure that the targetted groups actually remain the beneficiaries of the projects, and that the projects do not drift towards "easier-to-work-with" large farmers who are invariably male.

The staff of the other development projects in Malangali Division are in need of periodic reminding of the necessity for a participatory approach in all their work, and of opporotunities to learn appropriate participatory and motivational skills.

Though there is a primary school in each Division, the standard of teaching is poor. The morale of the teachers is very low, and the schools do not have the most basic of teaching resources.

The District Community Development Office is currently unable to implement their plans due to a number of constraints. In Malangali there is one Community Development worker, with limited financial resources and no access to transport, covering an area of 1,445 sq km over difficult and rough terrain.

Project Objectives:
To promote a higher level of participation by the local community in development projects in the area. This involves awareness raising, confidence building, and encouraging villagers to identify and prioritise their needs.

To ensure that the target groups (low income farmers and women) are targetted effectively by all other projects.

To improve leadership skills in village governments.

Increased women's awareness of their legal rights.

To increase women's participation in development in the Division.

To increase awareness and appreciation among all project staff of the needs of the target groups.

To closely co-ordinate with Ward and Divisional leaders.

To increase the number of Community Development assistants based in the area.

To improve education for the children of the area.

Intended Outputs:
Joint meetings of all project staff: These are held bi-monthly and plan for a co-ordinated response to identified problems.

Joint meetings between project staff and local government leaders: These are held 4-monthly, and promote effective co-operation between the projects and local officials.

Village leadership seminars: seminars for village government members for eight villages are organised each year. The subjects covered include the role of village governments, leadership skills, identifying real needs, planning for action, and ensuring participation.

More advanced training, appropriate to their duties, is organised for Ward and Divisional leaders. This will be conducted at the National Institute of Rural Development Planning. Topics included are Development Management, peoples' participation, project implementation , and gender issues.

Teachers from 6 schools participate in in-service training courses. The content of these courses is agreed upon after discussions with the district education office.

Skills training for staff of other projects: Approximately fifty extension staff are working in the area in various disciplines. Although they may be technically competent they still have to learn the necessary skills to ensure active participation by beneficiaries. Subjects covered include pedagogy, communication strategies, evaluation techniques, and motivation. This is organised in collaboration with TRDC (Training for Rural Development College).

Women's awareness raising seminars covering such topics as legal rights, will be held in 3 villages.

Participation at Ward Development meetings: Each project presents their work plans at the quarterly Ward meetings for discussion and modification, if necessary.

A well motivated and effective Community Development team: The effectiveness and efficiency of the Community Development workers is increased by participation in appropriate training and by the provision of transport of the necessary inputs.

Teaching resources (books and equipment) are supplied to 6 schools each year.