Enhancing Rural Transformation through Community Action Planning and Participatory Action Research:

Abstract

African Rural University offers a Bachelor of Rural Development (BRD) programme which operates within the Faculty of Technologies for Rural Transformation (TRT). This transformative education aims to cultivate change agents and makers who focus on rural development. Specifically targeting women, ARU utilizes a curriculum that blends theoretical learning (60%) with field practice (40%). Students undergo a one-month Practicum and a one year Internship in Sub Counties and Villages, to facilitate rural transformation. Following the Epicenter Strategy, ARU Interns were strategically placed in Kagadi, Kabamba, and Bwikara Sub Counties in Kagadi District for two academic semesters. The goal is to enhance rural transformation by elevating both thinking and practices within communities through PAR and CAP. The Internship started on 1st June and ended on 27th October 2023 as a continuation of Participatory Action Research. Interns receive mentorship from Epicenter Managers, supervision from Faculty Supervisors, and Traditional Wisdom Specialists (TWS). The intern worked closely with the technical staff and political staff of Kagadi Sub County, community members of Kisaara and Nsugasugi B Villages during Internship and Participatory Action Research. The methods used were; Visionary Approach, Community Action Planning and Participatory Action Research. Post-internship, the intern compiled her report on initiated projects, presenting outcomes to communities, local government, and faculty staff for assessment. Key achievements, detailed in Chapter four of this report, include; 2 CAP meetings conducted, PAR conducted on community strategies for security of property and facilitated sessions on visionary thinking and planning to 3 schools and 21 Kisaara Village members. Additionally, sensitization efforts were carried out on topics ranging from security, health, education, and environment and about government programmes like PDM. Practical activities involved training community members in various appropriate technologies, such as soap and shoe polish making, as well as energy-saving stoves