The researchers - why knowledge is morevaluable than giftsby Eveline Bolt, Norah Espejo, and Marc LammerinkFor two years, NGOs have been working withvillagers from three continents in an ambitiousattempt to develop a flexible researchmethodology - and strengthen communitywater management. Just an interesting academicexercise? Or the basis for future agency/user co-operation and real participatory planning?

'The knowledge we gain from thisresearch is much more valuable thangifts. It is something that we keep forlife. '

THIS WAS THE reaction of villagersin Nkoundja, Cameroon who had justvisited the neighbouring village ofNyen to find out how people there aresolving problems in managing, operat-ing, and maintaining their water sys-tems. The visit had an immediate effecton Nkoundja's water caretaker who,after seeing how his counterpart inNyen behaved, realized that he had tochange. 'We had discussed this overand over again and his behaviour neverchanged', said Mr Issiaka Njankouo,one of the community research teammembers. 'Now his attitude haschanged radically, and he is workingreally well.'

Such 'exchange' visits have provedto be very useful components in a par-ticipatory-action research (PAR) pro-ject in Cameroon, Colombia,Guatemala, Kenya, Nepal, and Pak-istan.' In each country, an NGO water-supply agency is supporting localresearch on how four villages deal withimproved management of their existingwater supply. Through this, andtogether with the communities con-cerned, the NGOs are strengthening thecapacities of the villagers to managetheir water and sanitation systems.With funding from the NetherlandsGovernment, since late 1994, the Inter-national Water and Sanitation Centre(IRC) has been facilitating the learningprocess in this project 'The Role ofCommunities in the Management ofImproved Rural Water Supplies inDeveloping Countries'.2

A PAR team from each of the sixcountries, together with elected menand women from rural communities,a national reference group in eachcountry, and an international referencegroup are consolidating and sharingthe lessons learned from the communi-ties' experiences in managing the

maintenance, finance, and use of theirexisting water-supply system, providedeither by the government, or throughanNGO.

This action research project has aprimary objective: to develop and doc-ument a participatory research and sup-port methodology which both the agen-cies and the communities can continueto use in other situations and which,when faced with problems in thefuture, they can share with fellowwater organizations and colleagues.The project team also aims to establisha structured exchange of know-howbetween every water agency dealingwith rural water management in the sixcountries represented, plus strengthen-ing operational policies on, and supportfor, community water management.And, at the international level, thegroup is attempting to increase theexpertise of all organizations workingtowards bringing about effective com-munity water-management systems.

In less than two years, the processand empirical results have thrown upreal insights, both into what compre-hensive, gender-sensitive communitymanagement of local water resourcesand domestic water supply canachieve, and about which agencyapproaches and tools are effective inhelping both rural communities andtheir local water-management organi-zations to obtain and preserve a sus-tainable water-supply service.

Research teamsIn 1994, the partner organizations -all NOOs - established nationalparticipatory action research teams.Each PAR usually comprises two orthree men and women with the relevanttechnical and/or social science experi-ence. The PAR teams' work began laterin the year with the preparation of asituation analysis on local managementof rural water-supply systems in theircountries. The team reviewed relevant

documents, and interviewed the staff ofall the agencies working in the ruralwater sector, asking them what theirpolicies and strategies were for thelocal management of rural water sys-tems after their work was completed.Each team also carried out an in-depthcase study of the attempts of one ruralcommunity to manage its improvedwater-supply system.

These country studies provided thebackbone of a planning and trainingworkshop at which the researchersdeveloped a design for the action-research process. for selecting commu-nities, forming local research groups,and assessing and analysing local

Water supply in rural Guatemala - somuch can be gained from finding outhow villagers manage it.

management practices and results. Bythat time, community research teamswere established in each participatingvillage, elected from the communitywater-management organizations andthe water users.

Aided by three regional skill-devel-opment workshops in early 1995, eachteam then facilitated the selection offour 'partner' communities, based ontheir demonstrable interest in becom-ing partners in the proposed actionresearch. The communities were alsochosen on the basis of how representa-tive they were of their country's partic-ular water-management and socio-eco-nomic situation. Later in 1995, thecommunity research teams receivedtraining in analysing the water situationand, in particular, in identifying prob-lems and appropriate solutions.

Early in 1996, a second round of

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WATERLINES VOL. 15 NO.2 OCTOBER 1996 II

Matrices, Venn---diagrams, mapsand village meetings in Nepal,Guatemala, and Colombia.

regional trainIng workshops involvingthe national PAR teams took stock ofthe preliminary research findings. Themain topic was: how could the commu-nity groups' proposals be included inthe next phase - experimentation withthe communities? The workshop partici-pants analysed the role of the teams infield-testing, and the skills necessary forthe next stage were strengthened.

Most of the community researchteams are now developing theirresearch agendas. Experimentation andfield-testing of the problem-solvingstrategies, methods, and tools - as wellas monitoring and evaluation - willtake place later this year and in 1997.

Community selectionNot surprisingly, given that PAR pro-jects do not promise poor communitiestangible rewards - no new water sup-ply or latrines - gauging their 'interest'in the research project posed a realchallenge. How does one 'sell' commu-nity-management capacity to a groupof villagers? Is it realistic to try andinterest them in an abstract idea such asa 'participatory action-research processto enhance community-managementcapacity'?

Dealing with these questions calledfor intensive negotiations betweenagency staff and community representa-tives. In Colombia and Guatemala,researchers 'sold' the process with theaid of established participatory tech-niques, such as mapping, and newspa-pers on the walls which enabled them toinitiate discussions on the local watersituation and what people considered tobe the important management-capacityrequirements. In Nepal, the researchteam used a poster of a chicken hatchingan egg to explain that, although the hen(the research team) will provide warmthand energy, it is the chick's (the commu-nity) responsibility alone to hatch andgrow.

In most of the communities, peoplewere very enthusiastic about enhancingtheir management capacity in this way.Whereas the partner-selection criterionof a 'genuinely interested' communityproved to be perfectly valid, most coun-try teams added their own criteria.For example, Colombia looked at thelevel of poverty, while Kenya andCameroon tried to reflect the culturaldiversity of their communities, whichhas amajor bearing on how water sup-plies are managed locally. In Nepal, theresearch team was particularly anxiousto achieve a good diversity ofimplementing agencies.

The teams emergeIn order to work towards capacity build-ing at a community level, each commu-nity selected a research team. The cre-ation and role of these teams was muchmore than a methodological steptowards ensuring community involve-ment; they can be viewed, justifiably, asindispensable actors and agents ofchange, both in implementing actionresearch, and in putting the findings andrecommendations into practice.

In La Sirena, a community in the hillsof the Colombian city of Cali, researchteam members were chosen for their rel-evant experience and aptitude for com-munity work. For the villagers of Cey-Ian in Colombia's Valle District, famousfor its agro-industrial development andcoffee plantations, the most importantqualifications were having appropriatetraining and clear leadership potential.As a result, they picked a 16-year oldstudent who, they felt already possessedthe right qualities to become an effectivecommunity leader.

In the Quiche zone of Guatemala,where educational standards are poor,the community put the onus on individ-uals' willingness to participate. A goodproportion of older, illiterate, people areactively involved in the team, helping togive LRTs the popular image of reliabil-ity. Gender segregation was an issue inPakistan, so separate men's andwomen's teams were established.

Overall, there is broad agreementamong the communities in all three con-tinents that, to be an effective researchteam member, an aptitude for commu-nity work, leadership skills, and someknowledge of local history are moreimportant attributes than educationalqualifications.

TrainingAs soon as they have been elected, theLRT members receive training in diag-nosis and research techniques. The 10women and 13 men making up the Caliteam trained together at a two-dayworkshop, where they had the opportu-nity to talk about what they understoodby the terms 'participation', 'communityorganization', 'gender', 'indigenousknowledge', and 'community diagno-sis'. The participants felt that the PARtechniques left a lot to be desired, andmodified them to suit local circum-stances.

After the workshop, the local teamsprepared a report, incorporating linedrawings and photographs. The reportsprovided useful methodological guide-lines for planning the next stage -community diagnosis - which theresearchers now felt they could carry

12 WATERLINES VOL. 15 NO.2 OCTOBER 1996

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TC"ll•.•.C"'1 Ie. 1:1 fl!s~clo clc. t.t"r'....".. ••.•,. cf ' •.•••.• 0 e...•• ~( Ol'., •.•~'t.o._

The village of Barrel Chiquita: Map 'A' (left) shows the results of the village walk. in which the local research teammapped latrines - in varying states of repair; Map 'B' shows the whole village, incorporating pathways and water-tanks.

Problem-solving strategiesAs we write, in the late summer of1996, the communities are developingtheir own strategies, methods, and toolsto address managerial problems, and tomonitor the effects of any reforms onservice performance. Next, they willput these problem-solving strategies tothe test.

The country research teams continueto play a supporting role: helping tostrengthen local capacity in areas suchas skills development, group building,confidence building for women and

was considerably bigger. This contin-ued the next day when [the villagers]all drew the Venn diagram to show thekey individuals and institutional rela-tionships for water-supply decision-making' said Mr Amouye of theCameroon PAR team.

Community diagnosis is designedand planned by project teams in collab-oration with local research teams. Theyselect a specific set of PRA techniquesto facilitate the collection and the shar-ing of qualitative and quantitative data.Diagnosis deals with the socio-eco-nomic, technical, managerial, andhygiene beliefs and practical aspects ofthe existing water-supply and sanita-tion facilities. During the diagnosis,women and men express their feelings,interests, and viewpoints using draw-ings, mapping, and matrices.

All of this data takes into accountthe different roles and expectations ofwomen and men, whether it concernswater supply, water-resource manage-ment, water use, or local management;the depth of the diagnosis depends onthe individual community. The coun-tries' experience so far suggests thatdiagnosis is a continuous process: com-munities will continue to identify newproblems, as well as resources andsocial changes, irrespective of the stagereached by the research project.

team spent two days with their neigh-bours in Gajedi so they could assessthe villagers' needs and make somesuggestions about their water prob-lems. After a briefing on the variouswater-supply and sanitation schemes,the Rangapur researchers visited all thevillage stand posts, where they talked tothe users and their families. Then, at anopen meeting they discussed their find-ings with the villagers and made somevaluable suggestions for change. Notlong after, it was the turn of the Gajedigroup to visit Rangapur.

A 'village walk' launchedthe diagnosis in theneighbouring villages ofNyen and Mbemi, inCameroon's English-speaking, westernprovince. The PAR team,together with the villagewater-committee mem-bers and some districtofficials, spent three hourswalking around both vil-lages. They identified par-ticular features, evaluatedthe performance of thewater-supply system, lis-tened to people's com-plaints about the service,and learned more aboutthe local palm and raffiatree industry which, whileproviding the communitywith its main source ofincome through the pro-duction of oil, wine, bas-kets and bags, swallowsup a sizeable amount ofits water.

The walk not onlyestablished contact withthe villagers, it also actedas a launch pad for thevillage mapping. 'In theafternoon, when we weremaking up the two maps,the group of participants

PARTNERS IN PARTICIPATORYACTION RESEARCH• CAMEROONPan African Institute for Development (PAID)B.P.4056, Douala, Cameroon. Fax: +237 42 43 35.Contact: Anthony Hagan, Anthony Nchari.• COLOMBIACentro Inter-Regiona] de Abastecimiento y Remoci6nde Agua (CINARA), Universidad del Valle, Facultadde Ingenier 2a A.A., 25 ]57, Cali, Colombia.Tel: +57 23 392345. Fax: +57 23 393289.E-mail: gegalvis@mafalda.univalle.edu.coContact: Gerardo Galvis, Mario Perez.• GUATEMALAAsociaci6n pro Agua del Pueblo (ADP), 7 Av.17-17,zona 5, Las Rosas, Quetzaltenango, Guatema]a.Tel: +502061 6437. Fax: +502 063 0005.Contact: Fabian Gonon Ortiz.• KENYANetwork Centre for Water and Sanitation (NETWAS),Wilson Airport, PO Box ]5575, Nairobi, Kenya.Tel: +2542890555/6/7. Fax: +2542890554.E-mai]: Netwas@Arcc.Kaact.Kenya-net.orgContact: Matthew Kariuki, Isaack Oenga.• NEPALNepal Water for Health (NEWAH),POBox 4231,Kathmandu, Nepal. Te]:+9771227325/61. Fax: +977I 227730. Contact: Mr Umesh Pandey, Mrs HariSubba.• NETHERLANDSIRC International Water and Sanitation Centre, POBox 93190, 2509 AD The Hague, The Netherlands.Tel:+317033l4128.Fax:+317038l4034.E-mail: IRCWATER@ANTENNA.NLContact: Marc P.Lammerink, E. Bo]t, N. Espejo.

out systematically. They were proud tobe known as 'the water and sanitationresearchers' .

Diagnosing the problemIn the Guatemalan village of Belen,early identification of both water prob-lems and short-term solutions was theideal introduction to going ahead witha diagnosis of the wider community.

In Nepal, the teams began theirinvestigations by organizing exchangevisits between villages. The Rangapur

WATERLINES VOL. 15 NO.2 OCTOBER 1996 13

21·2 November 1996. InternationalWorkshop: The Challenge of Post-war Reconstruction of Water Sup-plies. York, UK. Forum for practi-tioners and academics to sharetheir experiences In implementingaid In Bosnia-Herzegovina, andput forward recommendations.Contact: Alp Ozerdem. Institute ofAdvanced Architechtural Studies,PRDU University of York, TheKing's Manor, York, YOt 2EP. UK.Fax: +44-1904 433949. E-mail:ao102@york.ac.uk21-5 April 1997. 8th InternationalConference on Rainwater Catch-ment Systems, Teheran, Iran. Top-ics will include: technology; man-agement· environmental, socio-economic, religious and culturalaspects. For details, contact: Mr J.Ghoddousi, Conference Secre-tariat, PO Box 13445-1136.Teheran, Iran. Tel: +9821 6418335.Fax: +98 21 6407214. E-mail:rain@neda.net.ir23 April-3 May 1997. Fifth Scien-tific Assembly of the International

men, and in forging links with othercommunities or organizations. Theyalso contribute to the improvement ofmaintenance, payment systems, andwater-source protection; a small budgetallows them to fund some technicalimprovements to the community water-supply system itself.

One of the main management skillsto be strengthened is effective monitor-ing of both the research process,

as well as impact. Close, continuousmonitoring facilitates adjustments ofthe strategies, methods, and tools basedon local findings and requirements.

Association of HydrologicalSciences, Rabat Morocco. Sym-posia and workshops will cover:freshwater contamination; humanimpact on erosion and sedimenta-tion; water-resources assessmentand sustainabillty. For moredetails contact: IAHS '97 Organiz-ing Committee, Direction Generalede I'Hydraulique Casier Rabat,Chellah Morocco. Fax: +212 7n8696.29 June-3 July 1997. AWRA 1997Annual Symposium, Keystone,USA. More information from: DrJohn J. Warwick, T University ofNevada, Reno, 1000 Valley Road,Reno, NV 89512"(} 180, USA.Fax: +1-702 784 1953. E-mail: key-stone@dream.unr.edu14-7 July 1997. Second MalaysianInternational Water ManagementTechnology, Equipment and Con-trol Systems Exhibition KualaLumpur Malaysia. For moredetails contact: Desmond LiewMalaysian Exhibition ServicesSdn Bhd, 468-1B Batu 3 Jalan

The monitoring approach is beingdeveloped with the partner organiza-tions and the communities to ensurethat it provides for the best possiblelearning opportunity for everyone.

Better by PARBy the end of 1997, the team will beable to carry out its final evaluation ofthe process, and its concrete achieve-ments. After being summarized, and

complemented by up-to-date news ofthe latest developments, these findingswill be analysed jointly with therespective communities and agencies.

Ipoh 51200 Kuala Lumpur.Malaysia. +6034437241.15-9 September 1997. Water Africa'97 and Second Southern AfricaWater & Wastewater ConferenceHarare, Zimbabwe. Theme: 'Watersecurity: Guarding resourcesagainst drought and pollution'.Discussion of past projects cur-rent practices and future direc-tions for the W&S sector in south-ern Africa. For more details, con-tact: Tracey Nolan ExhibitionDirector, African Conferences &Exhibitions Ltd, 37 Upper DukeStreet, Liverpool L19DY. UK. Fax:+44 151 709 7801. E-mail:africon@robart.demon.co.uk5-7 November 1997. Third Interna-tional Conference on River FloodHydraulics, Stelienbosch SouthAfrica. Topics include: Environ-mental, social and economicaspects of floods' floodhydraulics research; and manage-ment of developments on floodplains. Deadline for paper submis-sion is 17 January 1997. For moredetails, contact: Ms JacquelineWatts, Conference Organizer. HRWallingford Ltd., Howbery ParkWallingford, Oxon OX10 8BA, UK.Fax: +44 1491832233.

From their very conception 10 theearly 1960s, the first participatoryaction research activities in rural LatinAmerica and India proved to be effec-tive tools for raising people's aware-ness and empowerment.

The early experiences of this 1990sproject reinforce the argument thatPAR methodologies do enhance man-agement capacity in the water and sani-tation sector. The communities inCameroon, Colombia, Guatemala,Kenya, Nepal, and Pakistan are becom-ing far more involved in makingimportant decisions while, at the sametime, supporting agencies are learningto facilitate and empower communities.

Referencel. This article is based both on internal projectreports from the participating country projectteams (see box on page 13), and field visits.2. See Waterlines, Vol. 13, No.4.

Eveline Bolt is an IRC Research Officer arul theRegional Co-ordinator of the MANAGE Projectin Asia. Norah Espejo is an IRC ProgrammeOfficer and the Regional Co-ordinator of theMANAGE Project in Latin America; MarcLammerink is IRC Programme Officer andRegional Co -ordinator of the MANAGE Projectin Africa. Contact IRC at: PO Box 93190. 2509AD The Hague. The Netherlands. Fax: +31 7035 899 64. E-mail: ircwater@bart.nl; orgeneral@irc.nl

14 WATERLINES VOL. 15 NO.2 OCTOBER 1996