OPERATIONAL GRANT PROPOSAL : INSTITUTION OF A SPECIALIZED METHODOLOGY FOR ADULT NON-FORMAL EDUCATION IN DOMINICAN RURAL COMMUNITIES

IDEAS HELPS 35 STUDENTS & STAFF OF 2 HOST INSTITUTIONS(INSTITUTO SUPERIOR DE AGRICULRURA & CNIECA-EXTENSION CENTER OF SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE) FORM FACILITATOR GROUPS. 1 MONTH TRAINING COURSE IS PROVIDED IN COMMUNICATIONS, PRINT & NONPRINT MEDIA, VIDEO MEDIA(VTR)MATERIALS, SUPPLEMENTAL WRITTEN MATERIALS, BASELINE DATA COLLECTION. SKILLS ARE DEVELOPED IN 4-MONTH INTENSIVE FIELD EXPERIENCE DURING WHICH TRAINEES PREPARE VIDEOTAPE PRODUCTION, PRESENT IT TO LOCAL FARMERS, DOCUMENT REACTION. EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS ARE DEVELOPED ON BASIS OF RESEARCH CONDUCTED IN COMMUNITIES, USING MODIFICATION OF FOXFIRE CONCEPT TO ENSURE COMMUNITY INPUT. EMPHASIS IS ON PROBLEM-OREINTED INVESTIGATIONS, VIDEO INTERVIEWS WITH COMMUNITY PEOPLE, COLLECTION OF DATA FOR EVALUATION. MATERIALS DEAL WITH WIDE RANGE OF ISSUES, INCLUDING VOCATIONAL EDUCATION, CREDIT, PREVENTIVE MEDICINE, MARKETING, AGRICULTURAL TECHNIQUES. USEFUL INFORMATION IS FED BACK TO COMMUNITY & TECHNICIANS FOLLOW UP FINAL AUDIOVISUAL PRESENTATION. MATERIALS CAN BE USED THEREAFTER IN MANY VILLAGES. DURING FIELD WORK, FACILITATORS TRAIN OTHERS FROM THEIR INSTITUTION TO CREATE SELF-SUSTAINING MANPOWER BASE. PEER TEACHING BECOMES PART OF NORMAL DUTIES. SUPERVISORY & FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES FOR CONTINUATION AFTER 18-MONTH DEVELOPMENT STAGE LIE WITH HOST INSTITUTIONS. IDEAS FOLLOWS UP TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AT REDUCED LEVEL FOR 1 YR TO MAINTAIN PRODUCTION,TRAINING,OUTREACH AND TO ENSURE INSTITUTIONALIZATION. PROJECT CHANGED DURING IMPLEMENTATION: 1)ORIGINAL HOST INSTITUTION DROPPED OUT & WAS REPLACED BY CNIECA, WHICH ADOPTED & EXPANDED THE VIDEOTAPE METHOD SO QUICKLY THAT IDEAS HAD TO SEEK SUPPLEMENTAL USAID FUNDS FOR ENLARGED SCOPE. MAJOR WORK SHIFTED FROM STUDENTS TO EXTENSION AGENTS & FARMER TRAINING COMPONENT OF USAID LOAN.