Development

Evaluation covers the period 8/79-6/82 and is based on document review, interviews with project officials, and field visits. Despite long delays in all aspects of implementation (the contract with the Institute for Adult Education - IAE - was signed a year after project approval, procurement was slow, and expatriate hiring was difficult), the project"s participatory model is proving successful in 6 of 8 villages (637 women). Moreover, in one pre-project pilot activity village, the model (herein described at length) has remained viable without additional project support, indicating the potential for self-sustaining development. Nonetheless, problems encountered in two villages and experimental changes planned by the project staff will require additional time to refine the model. Most planned outputs are being met in terms of villages reached, leaders trained, meetings held, and needs and evaluation surveys conducted. The level of 80 participants per village is somewhat below the expected 100. Audio cassettes and handbook preparation surveys have not been used, however, and the present draft of the handbook does not adequately reflect project experience. All project commodities have been procured and are being used; 20 months of technical assistance have been provided; 9 of 36 seminars have been held; and one of 10 research trips has been held, while 7 are planned for fall 1982. Significant unplanned project effects include conciliation between ethnic groups in mixed villages, the occasional forced participation of women by certain villages, increased use of local extension staff, and women"s learning of management skills and involvement in village councils. It is recommended that: (1) the project be extended 18 months (12 months for further implementation and 6 months to finalize the handbook); (2) the draft handbook be revised prior to the pretest publication; (3) IAE gradually absorb project costs so that operations can continue when project funds expire in 1985; (4) IAE and A.I.D. review the project budget and allocate up to $30,000 for a revolving fund to support viable women"s activities; and (5) annual evaluations be planned for 11/83 and 1/85.