Rural artisan training

Interim PES covers the period 9/80-9/84 and consists in part of a summary of an attached special evaluation (XD-AAQ-788-A) conducted in 5/83. Although approved in 1980, construction of the training center did not begin until 1982 due to USAID/BF"s decision not to build the artisans training center at Gaoua (which was proposed in the Project Paper and scheduled to be built prior to Fada center); a time-consuming lawsuit brought by CNPAR and A.I.D. against the contractor engaged in building an Appropriate Technology Center in Cissin; and CNPAR"s difficulty in handling A.I.D."s complicated procedures and regulations. USAID should carefully study proposals for funding before preparing Project Papers. Despite the late start-up, which required a project extension to 3/84, the Fada center has now been built and equipped and the first class, comprising 15 rural artisans trained in grain mill, motorcycle, bicycle, and water pump maintenance and repair, was graduated in 5/84. Improvements wrought by trainees in the mechanical performance of rural equipment are expected to increase rural production and related income, although low rainfall has prevented this from occurring so far. A unique advantage of the present program is that trainees returning to their villages are usually agricultural producers and hence do not depend for their livelihood on practicing their trade as artisans. Action decisions are to: make Center courses available to already employed artisans during off-season months (this will require additional training staff); add literacy courses to the program in order to improve artisans" business management skills; determine the training needs of Fada women, recruit and train animatrices in local crafts, and encourage women"s participation in literacy classes; and evaluate the center 1 year after it began to function. This evaluation should include an examination of the center"s implications for the private sector. (Abstractor"s Note: Abstract contains information from XD-AAQ-788-A).