Participatory Assessment Result; Suma Ward of Rungwe District

Participatory Needs Assessment

1.0 Introduction
Participatory research assessment is one of the Participatory Research Action in which ordinary people address common needs arising in their daily lives and, in the process,
generate knowledge.(Frisby, 2005), moreover, it is a way of involving the community members in taking part in assessing their community conditions through support from outside facilitators. This assessment mainly focused on four main components of the community life, which are community, economic, environment and health. Through this assessment, the community, economic, environmental and health stresses were pointed out. They became base for identifying the community basic needs in the area. The community needs were then prioritized according to burning needs prevailing in the area. These basic needs reflect the needs of the people as they were the one who ranked them and so they are their real needs.
Moreover, the assessment analyzed the assets that are available in the area which could be used to alleviate the identified stresses that face the community in the area. So, this assessment provides people’s felts needs and available assets which may be available to alleviate their conditions in the sectors of community, economic, environment and health.

1.2 The purpose of Participatory Assessment:
The participatory assessment has the following purposes:
- To involve community members in identifying the problems facing them in the ward
- To facilitate the community members in identifying the community priorities
- To facilitate the community members in prioritizing their needs according to Prevailing situations
- To gather information that would be used in designing, monitoring and evaluationphases of the project to be launched.
- To study the assets available in the area required for addressing the stresses Identified

This assessment report can be useful in addressing the identified gaps in community, Economic, Environmental and Social issues in Suma Ward of Rungwe District as it reflects real people’s basic needs.

1.3 Study Methodology
1.3.1 Sampling techniques:
In this research, random and purposive sampling techniques were used. Random sampling was used in order to get general opinion of the people in the research area without bias, and the Focus group Discussion was applied in order to have in depth discussion on matters facing the community at large and for this reason, the people who know best their environment were purposely selected. For the case of purposive sampling, the Ward Development Committee (WDC) members used 11 people. Three people from the village were selected to guide the researcher in the transect walk. In regard to Survey, three villages were randomly selected, and then from each village three sub-villages having 10 households were randomly selected making a total of 30 people. Then, they were administered with close ended questionnaires. Therefore, in total my sample size in participatory assessment consisted of 44 people.

1.3.2 Data collection Methods and tools
In carrying out the participatory research assessment, three Research methods were used. These were: PRA, Survey and Field Visit.
However, the tools used in the Participatory assessment were: Focus Group (check list), Transect walk, and pair wise ranking. Other tools were Administered questionnaires (close ended), none, participatory observation, and documentary review, while for Field Visit, the following tools were applied: Review meetings, participatory observations and documentary review.
Moreover, the research methods and tools used complemented each other, thus it was possible to have triangulation and biases were minimized to a great extent. That mean objectivity was maintained to a satisfactory level. However, in analysis both qualitative and quantitative methods have been employed to come up with the comprehensive report.

1.4 Data analysis and presentation
In this assessment the data collected were grouped to show information needed by the research questions. Then, qualitative and quantitative methods of data analysis were applied in data analysis and interpretation by using tables, figures and charts. Both Statistical package for Social Science (SPSS) and excel were used in the data analysis, which brought up tables, frequencies, Pie charts, for organizing the data. Also, percentages and averages have been used in data presentation.

1.5 Research Design
This study was about the assessment of the Economic, Community, Health and Environmental in Suma ward of Rungwe District. The assessment was participatory in nature by involving community members and other stakeholders.
The reason of selecting Suma ward is tha, this is one of the wards in Rungwe Districts that is a bit on the peripheral part, and so the aim was to see the community life in the light of Community perspective, economic, Environment and Health and problems facing them in the areas and eventually identify their priority problems and needs.

In carrying out the assessment, both qualitative and quantitative research methods were used: PRA, Survey and Field Visit, however, tools which were used in the participatory assessment included: Focus Group (check list), Transect walk, and pair wise ranking. Other tools were Administered questionnaires (close ended), none participatory observation and documentary review, while for Field Visit, the following tools were applied: Review meetings, participatory observations and documentary review.
Nevertheless, this was a two months study, whereby all the logistics required for Focus Group Discussion and actual works took three weeks and the questionnaire preparation and interview work took two weeks, while transect walk and documentary reviews took one week and two weeks for the report writing and data analysis.

Moreover, the sample design for this assessment was 44 people. Out of which 11 people mostly village’s officials were asked issues which were more or less qualitative, opinion thus participated in Focus Group Discussions. For the case of questionnaires, 30 people were randomly selected from three villages, namely Suma, Bunyakikosi and Nditu. Thereafter, in each village 10 households were randomly selected. Three people participated in guiding the researcher during the transect walk to get the prevailing situation from the ground.

1.6 Participatory Assessment:
1.6.1 Community Assessment Findings and Analysis
Through the Focus Group Discussion, 9 people out of 11 (81.8%), said that the volunteerism spirit is increasing amongst the people in the ward. They said that this is associated with community participation on currently development activities in the ward for school building both secondary and primary. Moreover, According to Focus group Discussion, it was realized that the leaders respect people’s opinions. And the decision making process is open to community members, mostly done in village general meetings.
From the Documentary reviews at ward level, it was found that there are various social institutions which provide social services these are 9 primary schools, one secondary school and two dispensaries. One is government dispensary, the other is privately owned. Focus group discussion members confirmed, both the dispensaries are poorly staffed. (100%). They further expressed that, the Government has only two trained staff, while the Private dispensary has only one. Through the discussion, it was noted that due to cost sharing policy in health, the majority have failed to access the health services, except those who are members of Community Health Fund (CHF). Through Documentary Review, It was learnt that the people who are tea growers have been members for CHF since 2006, Rungwe smallholders Tea Growers Association (RSTGA), has been paying their contribution in lump sum to District Hospital hence deducts the amount from green tea leaves. This was found as one of the best way of promoting community health care. (RSTGA, 2007)
Again, according to Focus group Discussion, 10/11 people (90.9%) said that, Forest, land and water are amongst the declining resources. They said that is due to environmental degradation resulting from poor farming practices. As the area is geographically undulating, the farming practice was supposed to use terraces or contour farming, so as to have land stability and reduce soil creeping, a situation which was clearly checked in the cross sectional transect walk in three villages of the Suma ward.
For the case of forests, there is lumbering activities which make the vegetation cleared from time to time, for the sake of sale of timber, source of energy for home use and as materials for construction purposes. The collected timber was observed placed along the main road during non-participatory observation ready for transporting them to sale points.
In the carrying survey for the community members in the area, 30 people were administered with questionnaires. They were randomly selected. However, their age was noted as an interesting component as they show variation greatly. But the age show that majority are young people 50 years and below, as 13.3% are 35 years old, 6.7% are 37 years and as well 44 years scored 6.7%. The highest age was 85 years (3.3%) So, this also indicates the representation of opinion in the age group which may make the responses more credible and objective.

Furthermore, sex composition of the respondents was another key aspect which was probed in the interview through administered Questionnaires. It was found that their participation is fairly representative as there were male and female percentages that were almost balanced, and the finding was: 56.7% were male and 43.3% were female.

From the administered questionnaires, the quality of housing was assessed. It was found that the quality of housing is generally low. whereby 18 people out of 30 (60%), have houses made of un-burnt bricks roofed with iron sheets, while 11 people (37.3%) have traditional houses, meaning that, they are either made up of un-burnt bricks/ timber and thatched with grasses. The rest, 3.3% house is built by rejected timber roofed with iron sheets. Definitely, the type of housing and the type of cooking stoves in the area might have some negative impact on forests in the area. Below table illustrate

From the questionnaires and Focus Group Discussion, It was found that the ward is not accessing clean water, as there is only one village, which has piped water, namely Nditu village and part of Suma village, Kabuli sub-village. However, there are only 67 tapes in the ward, out of which only 25 tapes are for public and 45 are privately owned. The assessment from literature review indicated that, only 8% have access to piped water while 92% of the ward inhabitants use open sources of water such as: rivers, hand dug wells and springs.

Also, from the administered questionnaire, the majority of the people spend at least 60 litres a day as minimum water, requirement. However, for those who are keeping animals, it was found that the requirement is far high and really need very close water source. But this indicates that women are exposed to burden of fetching water supply; hence definitely use a lot of time for that.

It was also, noted that in the questionnaires the good number of community members are not treating water despite the fact that they draw water from the sources which are not protected. These water sources are easily polluted by rain water, animals and thus jeopardize the health of the water users/ community members in general. Possibly, this is due to lower level of the community members who have little formal education as a result are no in a position to understand the devastating effects.

In regard to time take to water source, from the administered questionnaire, it was revealed that the majority take few minutes to water sources less than five minutes. Very few take between 20 minutes to more than half an hour. This does not show that for those who take less time are getting clean water. But this implies that people have water sources nearby their households. Possibly that was a reason for not requesting piped water for that long. However, this also, came up during by the Focus group Discussion that the sources were not clean, during transect walk and observation it was confirmed.
Educational level was one of the interesting findings. Findings from Questionnaires administered indicate that, the majority of the inhabitants have low education. As 63% were standard seven leavers and below. 26.7% of the respondents have no formal education. Above all there was no respondent with secondary education. So this implies the typical picture of rural life. So, it is a simple community with relatively low educational level.
Furthermore, Focus Group Discussion results (11/11), 100% said that, the ward is good place for raising the children. Possibly, this is due to the fact that it is located at the far end of the district whereby children are not exposed to various risks associated with urban life and experiences such as accidents from road traffic, Along the prevailing security in the area, the cost of living is relatively low/ cheap as compared to town centers as most of food stuff are produced. The focus group Discussion members further indicated that People are producing largely what they have to consume and the cash crops are limited. The only item, which was seen as expensive, is the transport costs. The fare from Suma to Tukuyu 18 km away is 2000.00 Tsh, the same amount of fare from Tukuyu to Mbeya 70 km away on tarmac road. The fares usually fluctuate during the rainy seasons that are on November through May every year because of few number of transport facilities so the law of demand and supply step in and demand automatically increase price.
Moreover, through the Focus Group Discussion; it was said by all the members 11/11 (100%) that local cultural and traditions are declining. These are traditional Ngoma usually played by elderly men popularly known as Vipenenga. And Lig’oma usually played vigorously by young men. These Ngomas are played after harvest around June to July. The local ngoma entertain and preserve the local tradition from one generation to the other. However, the members of the focus group Discussion indicated that, these increase interactions amongst the people and might be the source of promiscuity amongst people; hence is threat for HIV/AIDS infection.

1.6.2 Economic Assessment Findings and analysis
Methods used in this aspect included: PRA, Survey, Field Visits. These tools were employed too: Focus Group (check list), Transect walk, and pair wise ranking. Other tools were Administered questionnaires (close ended), none, participatory observation, and documentary review, while for Field Visit, the following tools were applied: Review meetings, participatory observations and documentary review.
The major economic activities in the ward are crop production, animal keeping and petty business. Through the Focus Group discussion and administered questionnaire it was found that major food crops grown in the area include: maize, banana, beans and .Tea is the cash crop grown by minority in the area. It was also noted that the people vary in terms of land ownership. 23.3% of people administered with questionnaires, own 2 acres, while 16.7% own more than 6 acres, and 13.3% own 4 acres, the rest own small pieces of land.
This implies that majority have reasonable. However, for those who have more than 6 acres of land, their land is very steep; hence need a lot of management to make it good for crop production. This was also observed through the transect walk on the terrain, and from the observation and said during the review meetings.

Information gathered from Focus Group Discussion entails that, the people in the area keep animals such as cattle, goats, pigs and chickens. The animal kept is source of food and income besides serving the social functioning of paying bride price. Very few people, especially women and youth are dealing with petty business in the area. They are involved in fruits, banana and cereal sells. Furthermore, there is lumbering activity which is done mainly by young men


Moreover, from the questionnaire administered, it was realized it was that crop production in the area is very minimal. The reason for it being lack of extension services, lack of inputs and topography which is so undulating hence limits cultivation of crops. From the Focus Group Discussion, the group said that there is only one agricultural and Livestock extension officer in the whole ward which is Covering 9 villages. It is evident that one extension officer cannot be able to provide all the required services. The impact of which is shown by the very low production of crops. For instance from the Questionnaire, it was found that 23.3% said their maize production per acre is only 2 bags, and 16.7% production stands at 3 bags, while 13.3% of the interviewed people said their maize production per acre is 4 bags, while 13.3% said their maize production per acre is more than bags. This is a clear indication that crop production is low, and there is need to have some measures.
The situation for beans production is even worse. Majority get only a bag (20%), while 10% are getting more than one bag of beans in an acre. The rest are harvesting less than a bag. The least score is half a plastic 6.7% of those who were interviewed through administered questionnaire. So, this picture shows that the area is faced with some shortage of some important food crop, mainly used for complementing protein intake which is one of the subtle food ingredients for human growth especially young children.
In regard to banana production, findings from the Focus Group Discussion, the group said that banana is the staple food of the people in the area. But, also serves as a cash crop at the same time. It yield is better as compared with other crops as findings in the questionnaires reveals. The production figures show that: 26.7% harvest 180 bunches per acre per year, while 23.3% harvest 240 bunches per annum from one acre, 6.7% harvest 300 bunches per year, and 13.3% said that they harvest more than 300 bunches per acre per year. The minimum yield is 100 bunches per acre per year 16.7 %. This information was cross checked through transect walk and observation made when administering the questionnaires. However, the general production of the people is not encouraging either and need improvement in order to benefit from the weather which is in favour of banana.

Through the Focus group Discussion, administered questionnaires, and transect walk and documentary reviews, it was found that not everybody was involved in tea production. From the administered questionnaire, only 10 people out of 30 had tea plots. However, the production is not very impressive either. But it is better than other crops; possibly it is due to extension services provided to these smallholders outsourced to Tea Research Institute of Tanzania (TRIT) by Wakulima Tea Company. The production figures are as follow: 10% are getting a harvest between 1000 to 1400kg of green leaves per acre per year, while, the highest production of more than 5500 kg is scored by 10%, the rest of the population range between 1500 kg and 5000kg. it is through tea that the people who were growing tea were given pre-paid community Health Fund(CHF), a kind of insurance for health care of which a lump sum of 10,000.00 Tsh was prepaid to District Hospital, thus RSTGA deducts the amount they were owned from tea leaves on monthly basis until they finish the pre-paid amount.
Furthermore, from the Focus Group Discussion discussions, 11/11, (100%) said that, the public service and infrastructure not adequate at all in the ward. These basically include: schools, water supply and road network and bridges connecting villages. Also, through transect walk it was observed that really public service such as water supply and road networks are inadequate and insufficient. So, the members in the Focus group Discussion indicated that, the poor connectivity has made the people failed to transport their crops. This has led people in these areas sell their crops at throw away prices especially banana for its perishable nature.
Another public service lacked by the people is clean water supply. Out of 9 villages, only one village namely Nditu has access to clean water, and part of Suma village in Kabuli sub- village. From the Focus group discussion, 9/11 equivalent to 82%, associated the lack of clean water to prevailing diarrheal diseases in the area. As the from the documentary review from dispensary record shows that diarrheal came number two in the five top diseases in the area(Dispensary, 2006). Also, from administered questionnaire it was found that 50% of those interviewed have access to clean water, while the remaining 50%, is using open sources of water for domestic use such as rivers ( in this case Suma and Mbako), other sources are hand dug well and springs. The members of Focus group Discussion indicated their concern of water sources pollution during the rainy season as a result of run-off from up-hill.
However, this access to clean water in the ward indicated that 92% had no piped water while only 8% had access to piped water, i.e. Nditu village which was amongst the villages benefited from DANIDA water supply programme in early 1990 out of nine villages in the ward. However, it has management and operation problems

The case of using open water sources is further supported by plates, following below which clearly show that sometimes the river is used for many uses such as washing clothes and drinking water for domestic animals such as: cattle and piglets. Then the possibility of pollution is very high.

1.6.3 Environmental Assessment Findings and analysis
From the Focus Group Discussion, all the members 11/11 (100%), said that, the condition of the local Natural Resources (water, wood and land) is very poor and need immediate action. They further explained that these resources seem declining very fast. This is caused by poor farming practices of the local people, besides some human activities such as lumbering which is contributing to trees felling as an economic activity apart from energy use which is mainly from charcoal and wood. They explained that, in the area there are people who are using motorized saw cutting machines, which by average can cut from 200 to 300 trees a day. However, from the transect walk, it was noted that there are a lot logs and timber pilled along the road for sale. This is the clear indication that natural resources consumption rate is higher than efforts take to conserve it. Then, it is possible that this will soon deplete the natural resource (trees) which keep at harmony the ecosystem the inhabitants depend on for their daily livelihood. Through observation along the three villages, there were no newly planted trees on farm and public tree lots.
Focus Group Discussions revealed that, the environmental degradation has direct effect to low productivity of crop production as indicated in the crop production record which is confirmed by. (10/11),90.9%. This is also supported by the administered questionnaire as far as crop production listed above shown (maize, banana production). As in Table. 7. Also, from the transect walk, it was observed that the terrain is steep and there is neither contours nor terraces in the farms. Moreover from the documentary reviews, (District Profile) it is well stated that the area is experiencing a very high rainfalls and favours banana production. It was noted in the transect walk that majority have planted banana in their backyard and have plots with banana. However, there are few people who have well managed plots as indicated in the below Photo. Therefore, there has to be a change in farming practice in order to have better yields. See Plate below

Furthermore, in the Focus group discussion, all the members explained that, the major source of pollution in the area is the agricultural inputs applied in the fields; and during rainy season they are drained in the water sources such as rivers, which are used for home consumption. Another source is refuse from households, as majorities have no good latrines, the situation which makes children to use the farm as latrines and hence increase possibility for pollution. The status of latrines was observed during the survey when the researcher was administering questionnaires. However, the results from administered questionnaire show that 50% of the respondents have poor latrine. So, this situation becomes intense during rainy season as the water collects all the wastes and deposits them in the water sources. In an area which has no access to clean water, this phenomenon is real a threat to the situation whereby there is no access to clean water supply as the case of suma ward, specifically those villages under which survey was carried. For the Status of latrines,
However, through the Focus group Discussion it was learnt that natural resources conservation measures have started in the ward. Three villages have established Environmental management committees, which will have a function to coordinate environmental management activities at village level including tree planting, initiate proposing by laws at village level to protect environment. These efforts are supported by the Wildlife Conservation Society based in Mbeya through capacity building. Through discussion, they agreed that their children will find natural resources in very depressing conditions, and they said they would love to ensure that their children will find the natural resources in a good condition. They noted that, there is a hope for that. The initiatives started in few villages will be supported by all the villages in the ward. The hope is grounded also on the assumption that, the new generation is more enlightened and understand better the relationship between Natural resource base and peoples livelihood.

1.6.4 Health Assessment Findings and analysis
The ward has two dispensaries of which one is Government owned and the other is privately owned dispensary which is from documentary review. The former is located in Suma village, while the later is in Nditu village. The major service provided in these health units are curative and preventive services. From the focus group Discussion, the preventive services provided by the government dispensary include: Health education in primary school, Voluntary Counseling and testing and Prevention of mother to Child Transmission. (PMTCT). Also, the dispensary provides Home Based care (HBC) services for people living with HIV/AIDS.
All the services, except special category of children and pregnant women is on cost sharing. The concern of the majority is that majority cannot access health services and this act as a barrier. As the assessment in economic aspect reveals that the economy base of the people is low. Also, the Focus group discussion indicated that those people who are producing tea have benefited through the Community Health Fund. (CHF). Through Rungwe Smallholders Tea Association (RSTGA) they have been able to pay their membership and RSTGA deducts the contribution advanced through their green tea leave sold to tea factory. They pay 10,000.00 per year for their health to this fund. That means, they are the only segment who are sure to access health services. This information has been cross checked through documentary reviews in this case RSTGA contribution in social services including community health Fund for the people who are engaged in tea production (RSTGA, 2007).
However, the referral major health facility is Tukuyu, Rungwe District Hospital, which is 18 km away. For the case of pregnant women referral, a District Reproductive Health Care unit (RHC) has a special vehicle to attend them. On the nurse patient’s ration, it was learnt that 1 trained nurse is attending 5,987 people, the same for clinical officer in the Dispensary. This means that the workload is very big for the medical personnel in the ward. This situation was expressed as affecting the quality of services to a great extent.
Moreover, from the Focus Group Discussion the members said there is sharing of service provision by two health institutions: Government on one hand and private sector/ dispensary on the other hand. All the participants in the Focus group discussion (82%) agreed that both the health facilities are poorly staffed. As the Government dispensary has three staff, one clinical officer, the other is a trained nurse in public health and the last one is medical attendant/ nurse attendant. For the private dispensary, there is one clinical officer and assisted by nurse attendant.

According to documentary reviews from the Government Dispensary, the top five diseases in the area are: malaria, diarrheal diseases, and HIV, Pneumonia and skin infections. This agrees with the findings from questionnaire on water treatment that as people use water from unprotected sources and don’t treat water, the possibility for contracting water borne diseases is quite high. People depend on hand dug wells which are not protected, and easily polluted by many agents, such as: animals, run-off water that bring with them refuse.
Furthermore, the situation is illustrated by administered questionnaire results regarding practice to boil water. 46.7% of respondent said that they don’t treat water at all, while 53.3% boil water for drinking purposes. Then for this reason, the possibility for contracting diarrheal diseases is very high and as a result lead to morbidity level amongst the people. So, lack of clean water seems to hit hard the community members on many corners and basically it is the reflection that clean water is the essential human need which has multidimensional functions.

1.7. Community Stresses
In this assessment which was done in a participatory approach, various stresses and their causes have been identified:
In respect to Community Stresses, it was found that; the dispensaries in the ward are poorly staffed. That is a big barrier in the health provision to the people. Also, there is issue of lack of piped water in the ward, as there is only one village which has piped water out of nine villages which is 8% of all ward population. Possibly this has been due to priority at the side of Government. Moreover, the aspect of environmental degradation was seen as a concern, as lumbering activities has destroyed the scenery of the area besides having negative impact to the land and production of various crops depended on. For these reasons, the solution for these would be community through their leadership to consult the local Government to increase the staff in their dispensary. In case of lack of clean water, the same approach can be used plus contacting other stakeholders such as ELCT Konde Diocese,(Church) and RSTGA apart from Local Government which can support people’s initiatives in various ways. Moreover the community must put in place the management for water schemes as a precondition in water projects according to National water policy of 2002.
There has to be deliberate campaign for awareness creation amongst the inhabitants on environmental conservation at ward, and village level including instituting by laws which may limit those who go astray from the community norms.
Economic assessment pointed out various stresses, but these are the major ones. There is very low production of both cash and food crops; hence the economy level of the people seems almost serving subsistence of the households. Also, public services were found not adequate to meet the need of the people. The case identified is the clean water. Eight villages in the ward comprising nine villages have no tape water/ clean water. (Focus Group Discussion) 100%, they expressed that as a long time cry and priority in the area. This is along poor farming inputs and connectivity from main road to the sub villages and environment degradation. These have impoverished their lives in many ways, such as poor health condition due to lack of clean water, low production of crops due to lack of inputs support and blocking business opportunities due to poor roads. To a great extent this has block their villages/ sub villages accessed by business people who want to buy banana or timber.
The proposed solution for these is to appeal to the government to provide clean water supply and increase the extension workers at ward/ village level in order to advice the people on better farming practices. This will make them adopt environmentally friendly farming in the undulating lands or farms. The second solution is the community address the issue of the bridges which connect their villages/sub villages to the main road so that they get fund from TASAF (Tanzania Social action fund), and should pass in the all Government planning process starting from grassroots level. Then, again there is a component of community to organize itself for action.
Furthermore, for the case of environmental stresses, there is a problem of tree felling which destroys the ecosystem for home use energy, and building materials and for business as a case of timber. Also, it goes in line with the poor disposal system facilities as they are taken as source of pollution in the area. So, the solution for these stresses lies in the community itself to a large extent. They have to have environmental committee to sensitize people on the need for environmental conservation. Activities done should be done with sustainable development in mind, the need for future generation. They have to develop tree planting at both households and institutional level. This will go along improving household cooking stoves in order to reduce trees cut for home use energy. Also, there is need to improve the disposal facilities at households level. Above that, they have to have farming system which considers environmental protection/ conservation, as short-term benefits should not take a place for long term community benefits.
Then, the health aspect was also seen as comforted with the problems, as the introduced cost sharing system on health make majority fail to access health services. Also, the clean water increase prevalence of diseases especially water borne and water related diseases.

In order to solve these problems, there is need for the government to review cost sharing policy and on aspects of groups that deserve exemption and waiver. Also, the community set up system which can make them access Community health fund to improve their health care.
1.8 Community Assets:
The Suma ward is endowed with many assets, amongst these are:
The number one asset is lands, which is fertile and allow production of almost all crops, which range from cash crops to food crops. Despite the fact that the land is undulating, this can be managed by the right farming techniques.
The second asset is the favorable weather, which allows the production of crops throughout the year. This is a rare opportunity for many areas of Tanzania, whereby they are faced by drought. The rainfall here starts from November through July, with occasional showers in between. This situation makes the soil moisture to be so high and make crops planting possible throughout the year.
Moreover, the water sources available are assets, as there are two main rivers, Suma River and the Mbako spring which can be used for water supply project. According to records, the water quality report shows that they are good. (data from Quality Water Test).
Then, the fourth asset is the people. As usual, people are the greatest resource the organization or institution may have. Their efforts, talents and contribution can always make a difference provided they are having good leadership.
Leadership is another key asset the area has. They have well elaborated leadership structure from the ten cell level to the ward level which oversees all the nine villages. Through this structure, it is possible to plan, manage, implement and coordinate projects/ programs launched that address the community needs.
Other stakeholders who have community development spirit in the area are considered as assets. These include: RSTGA, which is supporting the smallholders in number of ways including supporting community development projects such as water and schools building for secondary and primary schools. They have their smallholders in the area as Suma is one of the Schemes which make the organizational set up of the RSTGA. But also, there is a church, ELCT Konde Diocese whose Vision is Good News and Good life for all the people without segregation, is involved in Community development works in collaboration with the community members in the area. With the community members have started seeing ways to have water project for 30 villages including Suma ward.
Above all is the Government. It is the main actor in the area through Ward officials. Its link with the ward is regarded as an asset. Through which many development programs can be submitted for financial assistance to partners.

1.9 Community Priority Needs:
Through Focus Group Discussion, the community leader’s representative raked the priority needs in four main areas: clean water supply, agricultural inputs, improve the road network in the ward and hence environmental conservation. In ranking their priority needs the pair Wise ranking Techniques was applied during Focus Group Discussion. The result of the pair Wise ranking has shown that: Clean water supply scored first rank, farming inputs came second, and improvement of road took number three rank and the environment conservation ranked the last.

From the Pair Wise Ranking it is obvious that the major need and cry of the people in the area is clean water supply which currently is not accessible to the majority of the people in the ward. The table below is justifying the way the need was prioritized.