SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURAL AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
(SARD)

AMERINDIAN COMMUNITIES DEVELOPMENT PROJECT

In 1995, residents in several Amerindian communities in Guyana’s hinterland were concerned about conditions, since their region had the highest infant mortality in the country; the highest morbidity rate; the lowest life expectancy; the second highest reported incidents of malaria and the least access to medical care and education. Additionally, 88% of the population was considered to be living below the absolute poverty line. Three years after implementation of a project financed by the Cooperation for Development Ltd (CDL), two crops of rice, totaling 12.15 MT (13.39 tons) were produced and protein requirements of residents were met from fish produced through aquaculture. The production of children’s clothing and mosquito nets not only provided increased income for some households but also protected residents against malaria, a mosquito-borne disease.

The CDL-sponsored project sought to support a community-led initiative to promote sustainablity through activities in community development, health and nutrition and income generation. Mobilisation for all aspects of the project was through the establishment of community-based committees to implement each aspect or stage. To facilitate wide participation by residents, sub-committees with specific responsibilities were also established. Assigning responsibilities to a larger number for individuals for different areas within and around a project increased the likelihood of community ownership of the project, and consequently greater community participation and involvement during project planning and implementation.

The importance of fieldwork in ensuring the success of a project was readily evident. Thus, even a badly designed project can be salvaged during implementation if fieldwork is adequate, however, the best designed project will fail if field work is sloppy or unfocused. Effective fieldwork will allow for the development of sensitivity to the divisions that can arise as a consequence of project implementation in marginalised communities/societies. It has been recognised that project management cannot stay aloof from such divisions since these can grow and prevent attainment of empowerment by the community, and, can also leave deep and lasting bitter divisions behind. Further, effective fieldwork ensures an open and active line of communication with women. In this way there is less likelihood of alien remedies being imposed on a community without knowing the "balance of forces" vis-à-vis these remedies on the ground.