USAID DEC

Community action : water, trees, and PRA [participatory rural appraisal] in Pwani

Archived 2024DEC · Record PN-ABQ-312

CLARK UNIVERSITY. INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

Community action : water, trees, and PRA [participatory rural appraisal] in Pwani

This case study, one in a series that describe Participatory Rural Appraisals (PRAs) carried out in Kenya and other parts of Africa, focuses on Pwani village in Nakuru district, where a PRA-derived village-level plan of action has helped to mobilize the community to solve its own problems of water access and related forestry and vegetation problems.

Ford, Richard; Lelo, Francis +1 more · 1992

Abstract

This report describes the PRA methodology, the village setting and history, social and technical data, the PRA process as implemented in Pwani, and accomplishments, which thus far include water projects, tree nurseries, and improved relations with nearby Lake Nakuru National Park. Pwani"s experience teaches many lessons: (1) rural communities can organize and analyze information about their own communities and put the data into useful formats; (2) organizing information helps to mobilize community institutions; (3) PRA is not a short-term phenomenon; and (4) communities can be the prime movers in their own development. Word of Pwani"s PRA initiative has spread to surrounding villages, where additional PRAs are underway. (Author abstract, modified)

Connected topics

Community participation1,662

Classification

Document type: Studies & Literature Reviews
DEC type: Other USAID Supported Study/Document
Geography: Kenya
Subject: Communities
DEC terms: Community behaviorCommunity developmentCommunity participationCommunity self help
Sponsoring organization: USAID. Bur. for Research and Development. Ofc. of Economic and Institutional DevelopmentUSAID. Mission to Kenya
Authoring organization: Clark University. International Development ProgramInstitute for Development Anthropology, Inc.Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Language: English

Community action : water, trees, and PRA [participatory rural appraisal] in Pwani

People, property, poverty and parks : story of men, women, water and trees at Pwani

Gender, ecology and agroforestry : science and survival in Kathama

From cattle to coffee : transformation in rural Machakos

Implementing PRA : a handbook to facilitate participatory rural appraisal

Documents in this collection

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Evaluating participatory rural appraisal [PRA] : listening to village leaders in Kakuyuni location

People, property, poverty and parks : story of men, women, water and trees at Pwani

Gender, ecology and agroforestry : science and survival in Kathama

From cattle to coffee : transformation in rural Machakos

Implementing PRA : a handbook to facilitate participatory rural appraisal