A Communication Evaluation of Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) in Selected World Neighbors - East Africa Programmes Areas.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) process as a communication process, as used in selected World Neighbors East Africa Programme areas. This was done in order to make suggestions and recommendations that will ensure that the PRA remains an effective development communication tool. A qualitative approach was used to explore the influence of different communication, conceptual and institutional factors in the PRA process. The evaluation involved looking at PRA as a long term and an ongoing communication process. A total of six sample village groups in the three WN-EA programme areas - Ukambani, Kitui and Taita participated in this evaluation. The research demonstrated among other things; the importance of such vari- ables as time, the quality of facilitation and focus on the process rather than the PRA tools. Institutional factors such as status, age, village representation and gender also came up in this study as influencing the PRA process. Further still, this study has recommended the use of evaluation and monitoring tools to act as quality control measures during the PRA. Again, the study has shown that PRA as a development communication process needs to be complemented by resource support and a communication strategy, to endure as a long term communication process. By so doing, PRA will be strengthened as an effective stimulant to the development process. This study will be useful to WN-EA, development and other organizations that use or will use participatory methodologies as well as development communica- tors in general.