AKRSP: A Community-Driven Force & Lessons from a PRA Misadventure
AKRSP (Aga Khan Rural Support Programme) stands out as an exceptional grassroots organization that places communities at the heart of every initiative, starting from the planning stage itself. One of their most impactful tools is PRA (Participatory Rural Appraisal), a social approach to technical development that I’ve long aspired to master.
Mr. Anilbhai Shah, then CEO of AKRSP, revered as a PRA guru, organized a 3-day training program for staff. The agenda included a theoretical session in Sayla (pre-PRA), a field day (applying PRA tools), and a final day for data compilation and presenting findings to villagers.
As the Cluster Incharge of Dhandhalpur, I was tasked with selecting a village for the PRA exercise, in consultation with Rekha (Community Organizer). We chose "Gundiawada", a village 6 km from Dhandhalpur, opposite Dhamrashla. Rekha had recently begun engaging there and informed villagers about the PRA’s purpose, date, and process.
Day 1: Anilbhai’s training was electrifying. His clarity on “dos and don’ts” and his flair as a facilitator left everyone—myself included—motivated and ready to implement PRA tools.
Day 2: We arrived early in Gundiawada. Most villagers attended the initial meeting, where we explained the PRA’s goal: to gather data for a holistic village overview. We divided villagers into groups—I joined the Natural Resource Management team. The exercise began with resource mapping, followed by charting village streets, community locations, and landmarks.
Midway, a woman from the influential Darbar community questioned, “Why are you mapping our houses?” A group leader calmly replied, “This helps us understand where everyone lives, so we can reach you easily for future work.”
We continued with wealth mapping, seasonal calendars, and more. At lunch, we traveled 5-6 km for a meal, promising to return in an hour. Over food, we excitedly discussed the data and planned a transect walk.
The Unexpected Turn:
Upon returning, the village felt eerily deserted. No movement, no villagers. Rekha rushed to investigate and returned pale, urging us to leave immediately. The reason? The same woman who questioned the mapping had rallied the village, warning them we were thieves plotting robberies using the maps. Despite Rekha’s pleas, villagers refused to engage. Defeated, we retreated.
Stinging Reflections:
AKRSP had operated in the area for 6 years, even building a dam near Gundiawada.
We’d worked in adjacent villages and passed through Gundiawada countless times.
How had they never heard of us? Why did our intentions get misread?
Unanswered Questions:
Was house mapping truly necessary?
Could we have explained the purpose more sensitively?
Was this a misunderstanding, political sabotage, or a bid for influence by the woman?
Key Takeaways:
Build rapport first: Trust must precede technical exercises.
Clarity is critical: Simplify the purpose of tools like mapping to avoid suspicion.
Though disheartening, the experience taught us humility and the importance of cultural nuance. We returned with laughter, lessons, and a resolve to adapt. After all, development work isn’t just about plans—it’s about people, patience, and perseverance.
Sometimes, the greatest lessons come from the messiest missteps. 🌱
nice to read
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