THE MPA IN ACTIONThe following diagram illustrates the typical flow of activities during an assessment in a community over a period of four to five days.Figure 5 Flow diagram of MPA assessment at community level38
THE MPA IN ACTIONBox 17 Indicative sequence of work with a community*Preparation. Contact with male <strong>and</strong> female leadership. Explanation of assessment objectives <strong>and</strong> request/invitationto participate. When positive, dates are set <strong>and</strong> logistics arranged.Day 1, a.m. Arrival. Review of general approach <strong>and</strong> topics with male <strong>and</strong> female local leaders, WSC (seeabbrevation below), <strong>and</strong> spontaneous gathering. Filling in general data sheet. Organize for social mapping inafternoon/evening at convenient time/place with women <strong>and</strong> men from wealthier <strong>and</strong> poor groups. Lighting to bearranged as required.Day 1, p.m. Start records review <strong>and</strong> open discussion with WSC <strong>and</strong> craftsmen/women on project functioning,administration, finance, management.Start recording <strong>and</strong> scoring activities with community members. Cross-check validity of data from WSC in opendiscussion with community groups.Day 1, late afternoon/evening. Welfare classification, to define categories of wealthier, intermediate, <strong>and</strong> poor.General social mapping on location <strong>and</strong> distribution of water <strong>and</strong> sanitation facilities; location of rich/poor/intermediate households; areas with access to (<strong>and</strong>, where feasible, use of) water supply, sanitation, drainage <strong>and</strong>solid waste disposal; contributions for service usage <strong>and</strong> for construction; households with WSC office bearers <strong>and</strong>service workers (M/W, paid/unpaid). The map is later used to plan the transect walk routes <strong>and</strong> participants (M/W,R/P). The team assists community to transfer the map to paper if needed. Social mapping may be done beforeWelfare classification, as an icebreaker. Groups then return to the map to mark households as wealthier, poor <strong>and</strong>intermediate. Recording, scoring <strong>and</strong> open discussion for other factors with community members continue. Peerreview of process including h<strong>and</strong>ling of gender <strong>and</strong> social equity aspects.Day 2, a.m. Transect walk <strong>and</strong> contacts with households near water points on: functioning of system, serviceoperation, repairs, range of access. For sanitation: transect walk <strong>and</strong> joint scoring on sanitation checklist for qualityof installation, maintenance <strong>and</strong> use, in samples for old <strong>and</strong> new latrines, drains. Separate comments from female<strong>and</strong> poor transect participants, to ensure their views are included.Day 2, p.m. Team splits in two. Start open discussions with focus groups (RM, RW, PM, PW) on explanatory factorsfor findings on sustainability <strong>and</strong> use. Participatory assessment activities on service operations (cross-check), use/non-use, contributions; patterns of use (pocket voting); dem<strong>and</strong>-responsiveness <strong>and</strong> cost/benefits perceptions (ladder);time budgets for M/W (listing <strong>and</strong> scoring); income/expenses for M/W (100 seeds); history of participation in termsof information received, decisions, contributions (matrix voting). Scoring with groups. Cross-check on validity,relevance, <strong>and</strong> other factors. Evening: recording <strong>and</strong> peer review.Day 3, a.m. Continue committee interviews, records review, skills demonstration (capacities built) with committee,operator, etc. Continue focus group sessions, scoring, reviewing with groups. Evening: recording <strong>and</strong> peer review.Day 4, a.m. <strong>and</strong> p.m. Complete committee interviews, records review, skills demonstration (capacities built) withcommittee, operator, etc., <strong>and</strong> focus group sessions. Team records process <strong>and</strong> outcomes of Day 4. Team analyzestotal scores of Days 1-4 <strong>and</strong> discusses key issues. Prepare for community review assembly with reporting by communitygroups.* Actual schedules will vary depending on the convenience <strong>and</strong> availability of community members to meet in groups. Busy periodssuch as agricultural planting or harvest seasons <strong>and</strong> festivals are best avoided. Even so, it may not always be possible to haveassessment activities for several days at a stretch. Field teams should be flexible <strong>and</strong> resourceful in making time use plans forfieldwork.WSC = Water-Sanitation CommitteeRM, RW, PM, PW = Rich Men, Rich Women, Poor Men, Poor WomenM/W = Men/Women3939
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