Final evaluation report : La Kara skills development training project (698-0388.12)

The project was implemented by the Government of Togo (GOT) and the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW). By the end of the project, 432 women had been trained in one of three income generating activities -- weaving, soapmaking, or gardening. Participants benefited from the improved quality of goods produced and increased income. The project organized 21 women's groups and trained their officers and social agents in cooperative management techniques. Several groups received at least 1 training session in nutrition. A training center capable of training 350 women per year was built and equipped, a curriculum was developed, and 7 instructors were trained. GOT project personnel received substantial on-the-job experience and gained the capacity to manage the project on their own. The project encountered several major implementation problems: long delays by both NCNW and the GOT in assigning project personnel; faulty construction designs and periodic shortages of funds for the training center; failure to assess the appropriateness and practicality of the proposed craft activities, due to inadequate background research; poor quality and bad timing of research studies; shortages of raw materials; and marketing difficulties. The large geographic region covered by the project restricted supervision and follow-up training. Overall, the project goal of increasing the socioeconomic well- being of rural women in the Kara region was attained, but its impact was adversely affected by the lack of available production materials, the limited market, and the slow growth of the pre- cooperative groups. More training is needed, as well as more assistance in cooperative development. Only a small effort has been made so far in nutrition education. The project permitted rural women to earn more income from their trades than they did using traditional production methods. However, the substantial amount of money invested in the project raises questions. The fact that the groups are encountering production difficulties but are not yet able to resolve the problems for themselves means that they will require much assistance from the GOT in the immediate future. Until these difficulties are resolved, no efforts should be made to identify and train new groups. Four key lessons were learned. (1) The research studies should have been carried out prior to project approval so that the project could have incorporated the research findings. (2) A closer look should have been taken at the role of women in the traditional structure in order to determine the best way to reach the target population. (3) The three-year time frame did not allow sufficient start-up time as well as time to carry out project activities. (4) The geographic region was too large, given the pilot nature of the project and the limited resources and personnel available. (Author abstract)