Neria Grassroots Distribution Project

Final project report

May 2000 – September 2001

Compiled by

Christine Hausmann-Fata (M.A.)

for

Media for Development Trust

Contents

List of abbreviations and acronyms......................................................4

Acknowledgements...............................................................................6

Executive Summary..............................................................................7

1 Introduction .................................................................................... 9

1.1 BACKGROUND ............................................................................................................................................ 9

1.2 THE NERIA GRASSROOTS DISTRIBUTION PROJECT .................................................................................... 10

1.3 STRUCTURE OF THIS REPORT .................................................................................................................... 10

2 Project phases ............................................................................... 11

2.1 DUBBING OF NERIA INTO SHONA AND NDEBELE ....................................................................................... 11

2.2 DEVELOPMENT OF SUPPORT MATERIALS .................................................................................................. 12

2.2.1 Concept paper and research plan design ....................................................................................... 12

2.2.2 Design team - formation and meetings .......................................................................................... 12

2.2.3 Script review/translation proof ...................................................................................................... 13

2.2.4 Formative research ........................................................................................................................ 13

2.2.5 Support materials script and text design ........................................................................................ 15

2.2.6 Pre-testing ...................................................................................................................................... 16

2.3 A GRASSROOTS DISTRIBUTION CAMPAIGN TO REACH DISADVANTAGED GROUPS ACROSS ZIMBABWE ..... 16

2.3.1 Distributors – choice and follow-up .............................................................................................. 16

2.3.2 Grassroots distribution training for trainers’ workshop implementation ..................................... 19

2.3.3 Further distribution - The Wills and Inheritance Laws Programme ............................................. 20

3 Project achievements .................................................................... 21

3.1 PARTICIPATORY RESEARCH ...................................................................................................................... 21

3.2 DEVELOPMENT OF SUPPORT MATERIALS IN THREE LANGUAGES ............................................................... 21

3.3 REACH OF PROJECT/SUCCESSFUL DISTRIBUTION OF SUPPORT MATERIALS ............................................... 22

3.4 INFORMATION DISSEMINATION ................................................................................................................. 22

3.5 LEGAL EDUCATIONAL PAMPHLETS DONATIONS ........................................................................................ 22

3.6 MONITORING AND EVALUATION OF DISTRIBUTORS .................................................................................. 23

3.7 DISTRIBUTION THROUGH THE WILLS AND INHERITANCE LAWS CAMPAIGN ............................................. 23

3.8 SUMMARY OF THE QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE PROJECT OUTPUT .................................................. 23

4 Project limitations ......................................................................... 25

4.1 FINANCE-RELATED CONSTRAINTS/TIME-RELATED CONSTRAINTS ............................................................ 25

4.2 CONSTRAINTS RELATED TO POLITICS ........................................................................................................ 26

4.3 CONSTRAINTS RELATED TO INFRASTRUCTURE ......................................................................................... 26

4.4 CONSTRAINTS RELATED TO THE DISTRIBUTORS’ SYSTEM ......................................................................... 26

4.5 DESIGN TEAM MEMBERS AND CONTRADICTING INTERESTS ...................................................................... 28

4.6 WHAT IS LAW ? LEGAL ACCURACY AND CONTRADICTING INTERESTS ...................................................... 28

5 Project impact ............................................................................... 29

5.1 HOW WILL THE SUPPORT MATERIALS BE USED AND PROMOTED BY DISTRIBUTORS? ................................ 29

5.2 WHO IS LIKELY TO BENEFIT FROM THE SUPPORT MATERIALS? ................................................................. 30

5.3 WHAT ADDITIONAL MATERIAL IS NECESSARY TO STRENGTHEN THE IMPACT OF THE PACKAGE FOR

DIFFERENT USERS? ............................................................................................................................................. 30

6 Recommendations ........................................................................ 31

6.1 BUDGET .................................................................................................................................................... 31

6.2 EFFECTIVENESS OF DISTRIBUTORS’ SYSTEM ............................................................................................. 32

6.3 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE IMPLEMENTING AGENCY/FUTURE PROJECTS ............................................. 33

List of abbreviations and acronyms

UZ University of Zimbabwe

WLGI Women Leadership and Governance Institute

Padare Men’s forum on gender

AWFT African Women Filmmakers Trust

ATP Amakhosi Theatre Productions

BHBC Bekezela Home Based Care

CH Chegutu High School

CM Chidamoyo Mission Hospital

DCC Diocese of Chinhoyi Health Care Commission

FAMWZ Federation of African Media Women of Zimbabwe

FMSA Franciscan Missionary Sisters for Africa

LGDA Lower Guruve Development Association

LH Lubhancho House

LRF Legal Resources Foundation

MAC Matabeleland AIDS Council

MASO Midlands AIDS Services Organisation

MP Musasa Project

NM Nhowe Mission

ORAP Organisation of Rural Associations For Progress

PSDC Practical Skills Development Centre

RHBC Rujeko Home Based Care

RLRDP Rural Libraries and Resources Development Programme

SA Salvation Army

SH Silveira House

TAP Tshelanyemba AIDS Programme

VHS Victoria High School

WASN Women and AIDS Support Network

YWCA Young Women’s Christian Association

ZINATHA Zimbabwe National Traditional Healers Association

ZNFPC Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council

ZR Zimbabwe Human Rights Association

ZRC Zimbabwe Red Cross Society

ZWOT Zimbabwe Widows and Orphans Trust

ZWLA Zimbabwe Women Lawyers Association

Acknowledgements

This project would have not been possible without the generous financial assistance from the

Swedish International Development Corporation Agency (Sida).

Special thanks is further extended to all the NGOs, individuals and communities who donated

a lot of their precious spare time to make this project happen.

Both, the University of Zimbabwe and the University of Heidelberg, Germany played a

crucial role in supervising patiently processes that led to the outputs of this project.

All photographs used in the text and on the cover were made by the author of this report. The

people you can see on the photos have given permission to use the photos. Their patience and

understanding is invaluable to the research process.

Last but not least, a special thanks goes to the constant support of the following key persons

of chosen distributing agencies: Ms Chido Matewa (AWFT), Mr Pedzi Sithole (ATP), Ms

Isabel Saungweme (BHBC), Mr John Sakala (CH), Sr Kathy Mc Carthy (CM), Sr Carol

Schommer (DCC), Sr Frances Mylott (FMSA), Mr Ephraim Murendo (LGDA), Ms Rosina

Nyoni (LH), Ms Mary Ndlovu (LRF), Mr Douglas Moyo (MAC), Mr Ticharwa Masimira

(MASO), Ms Thoko Ngwenya (MP), Mr William Makombe (NM), Ms Karren Washoma

(ORAP), Mr Kenny Masango (PSDC), Ms Grace Mazhande (RHBC), Mr Roy Mpofu

(RLRDP), Major Mary Capsey/Ms Thenjiwe Germann-Ndiweni (SA), Sr Janice (SH), Mr G.

Moyo (TAP), Mr Josphat Mbanda (VHS), Ms Mary Sandasi (WASN), Ms Sheila Matindike

(YWCA), Dr Peter Sibanda (ZINATHA), Mr Mark Mako (ZNFPC), Mr Bidi (ZR), Ms

Catherine Marenga (ZRC), Ms Susan Zwinoira (ZWOT) and Ms Ruvimbo Masunungure

(ZWLA).

Executive summary Was the Neria Grassroots Distribution Project, which objectives were to dub the feature film

Neria into Shona and Ndebele; to develop support materials including a support video

focusing on the key learning points contained in the film and a support manual to facilitate the

learning process with target groups as well as a grassroots distribution campaign to reach

disadvantaged groups across Zimbabwe, a successful initiative? Was awareness related to

women’s inheritance issues amongst audiences raised, was information concerning the

Inheritance Laws transmitted to distributors? Which project phases were implemented

resulting in which achievements? Which limitations were experienced and judging from these

answers, what project impact can be foreseen? These are some of the questions this final

project report about the Neria Grassroots Distribution Project seeks to answer.

Having used a participatory approach in data-gathering devices that led to the development of

the Neria support materials, the project has faced a number of external as well as internal

constraints. However, these constraints are definitely outnumbered by its achievements and its

likely project impact that can be estimated for the next twelve moths. Main achievements of

the project are – amongst others - the successful assessment of a variety of organisations to

carry out the task of a distributor throughout Zimbabwe, the country-wide formative research

period with screenings and focus group discussions, the successful pre-testing of the designed

materials and finally the training of trainers in the effective use of the support materials which

comprise of a Neria feature film, a Neria support video and a Neria support manual in Shona,

English and Ndebele with picture cards, support groups address lists and legal educational

pamphlets.

As interactive tools, the designed materials will encourage awareness among audiences on the

issue of women’s rights and move communities to respond and build on existing initiatives

for attitude and behaviour change.

Both, the support video and the support manual, which were developed to facilitate a deeper

knowledge about issues contained in the feature film Neria, will benefit anyone who is

interested in discussing issues of inheritance. It will be particularly helpful to people offering

assistance with inheritance-related problems in grassroots communities.

Moreover, the Neria support materials have joined a multi-media campaign called the ‘Wills

and Inheritance Laws Project’ run by the Zimbabwean Ministry of Justice, Legal and

Parliamentary Affairs in order to thoroughly spread information on the changes of the

Inheritance Laws after 1997. The Neria support materials will (though in a repackaged form)

be used as educational tools all over Zimbabwe, which will widen the distribution range

enormously.

1 Introduction

1.1 Background The locally produced feature film Neria was the second of its kind in Zimbabwe that has been

initiated by a Zimbabwean film maker and has been realised through the local NGO Media or

Development Trust (w/o 21/89) in 1992 with an overall local crew.

In brief, the film tells the story of Neria, who, after the tragic death of her husband finds

herself overruled by her in-laws, who are, by citing tradition, dispossessing her of property

and children. After a long period of suffering, the widow learns that the law and the tradition

are on her side to gain back what is rightfully hers.

As a so-called women’s education project, the film should show for the first time

disadvantaged positions women could face on the death of their spouses.

The film was and is up to today an outstanding success, having played in cinemas, theatres,

being shown on television not only in Zimbabwe, but world-wide and being used by a variety

of national and international development co-operation agents within their programmes for

the improvement of women’s status.

Many people have watched the film so far, have enjoyed it and suffered with the characters.

They have started to discuss about the consequences of inheritance for widows in the face of

eroding tradition, the enactment of laws to protect widows and the fast changes in the

Zimbabwean society in general.

Still, as research suggests, the need to disseminate inheritance-related information remains

great due to a number of reasons. Two are listed below:

• Due to the HIV/AIDS pandemic, more and more widows and orphans are left behind

having to deal with inheritance-related issues. The need for especially HIV-positive

widows to benefit fast from what is rightfully theirs is crucial to their and their children’s

survival;

• due to the economic hardships faced in Zimbabwe, property grabbing is on the increase.

1.2 The Neria Grassroots Distribution Project In 1998, an independent researcher undertook the task to evaluate the qualitative outcome of

the feature film during the past six years, suggesting that the full potential of the film had not

been realised. One of the findings of the research was that due to the instructional nature of

the Neria feature film, it was more and more being used within various education and training

programmes of NGOs, recently also at grassroots level, but lacked proper training materials

suitable for the variety of target groups wanting to benefit.

Moreover, in the face of legal changes in favour of widows in Zimbabwe, Media for

Development Trust came up with the idea to make the feature film Neria finally available in

Shona and Ndebele, to develop support materials such as the support video and the support

manual for the film and to distribute these materials through 30 chosen groups to the

grassroots all over Zimbabwe.

It took another two years for the idea to become reality, when the Swedish International

Development Corporation Agency (Sida) decided to assist Media for Development Trust in

realising this task. The Neria Grassroots Distribution Project commenced on May 1st 2000

and ended on September 14th 2001. All details concerning the project were filed and can be

viewed at Media for Development Trust’s head office in Milton Park, Harare/Zimbabwe.

1.3 Structure of this report The following final project report is structured as follows:

First, the various project phases of the project are highlighted. Achievements of the project as

well as limitations to it are discussed in the following chapters. The possible project impact

and recommendations concerning this and future projects will then be stated and attachments

to the report will provide the reader with a list of key persons to contact for references or

assistance concerning the project.

2 Project phases The following chapter will provide the reader with a summary of the different project phases.

Objectives are compared with tasks and steps that were taken to fulfil the task. Details

concerning these activities can be looked up in the respective project progress reports.

To meet the objectives of the project which were the

A. Dubbing of the feature film Neria into Shona and Ndebele; the

B. Development of support materials including

- A support video (about 20 minutes in duration) focusing on the key learning points

contained in the film,

- A support manual to facilitate the learning process with target groups; and a

C. grassroots distribution campaign to reach disadvantaged groups across Zimbabwe,

the following tasks were carried out within the different project phases:

2.1 Dubbing of Neria into Shona and Ndebele Task: To carry out all technical aspects of the vernacular versioning of the feature film

and support materials.

Step 1 (June-August 2000) First, the revised Neria script was translated into Shona and Ndebele. It was proof-read by one

of the design team members (see below).

Step 2 (December 2000-March 2001) The Ndebele dub of the feature film was carried out first. In order to heighten Ndebele-

speaking audiences’ identification possibilities, the voice recordings were undertaken by

Amakhosi Productions in Bulawayo. The best takes were then selected and matched (edited)

in Harare. The Shona dub of the feature film was carried out in Harare.

At the same time, a pre-test copy of the English, Shona and Ndebele support video was

created. The copies were taken to the field for pre-testing (see below).

Step 3 (June – July 2001) The final versions of the English, Shona and Ndebele support videos were created. The voice

artists narrated the voice-overs of the support video and the sound was matched to the

pictures. Video masters were prepared for VHS video copying.

Step 4 (September 2001) The masters of the feature films and support videos were handed in for printing the

distributors’ copies to be disseminated at the Grassroots Distribution Training for Trainers

workshops (see below).

2.2 Development of support materials 2.2.1 Concept paper and research plan design

Task: To prepare an initial concept paper for the production of the support materials and a

research plan in developing the support materials.

Step 1 (May 2000): An initial concept paper and a research plan for the development of the support materials were

designed. These documents are in line with the researcher’s Ph.D. thesis research plan.

2.2.2 Design team - formation and meetings

Task: To form a design team of experts to oversee the development of the support

materials. The design team will meet three times during the process; first to review the

concept paper and research plan, second to review the research findings and draft scripts and

third to review the final draft video script and workbook transcript.

Step 1 (May 2000): The selection process of the design team members started in fact long before the beginning of

the project. Some participated in the previous research on Neria conducted in 1998, some

were contacted afterwards. All of them were chosen based on their experience and knowledge

in fields crucial to the development and distribution of the materials. The design team

members came from fields such as legal research, law, gender training, community education,

women empowerment and sociology. After identification, they were sent a hand-out

containing basic information on the project and their tasks. They participated in two design

team meetings (May 2000/January 2001) and reviewed the concept paper, the research plan,

suggestions on script changes, research findings, draft scripts and final draft video script and

workbook transcript. Instead of having a third meeting, the members decided to attended the

Harare Grassroots Distribution Workshop to view the final product.

2.2.3 Script review/translation proof

Task: To advise MFD on script revisions, in light of current legal issues pertaining to the

rights of widows, for incorporation into the script translation.

Step 1 (May 2000) First, pamphlets on the New Inheritance Law available from the Legal Resources Foundation

(LRF) and the Zimbabwe Women Lawyers Association (ZWLA) were reviewed; additionally,

a lawyer from the ZWLA was interviewed on how legal script revisions of the Neria script

could look like. These suggestions were reviewed during the first design team meeting and

were then incorporated into the script. The script text was reviewed, too, since it did not

comply with the original feature film’s content.

Step 2 (November 2000) The Shona translation of the Neria script was supervised.

2.2.4 Formative research

Task: To conduct formative research, as part of the process of developing the support

materials.

Step 1 (August-October 2000) The research to identify distributors groups’ ideas about the Neria support materials was

carried out between the 1st of August and the 14th of October 2000. A total of 25 out of 30

distributors groups could be visited throughout Zimbabwe. During 23 screenings and 2 in-

depth-interviews, a total of 953 participants and staff members could be grouped into focus

group discussions to give comments on issues of relevance to the project. Although the

original research plan for the development of the Neria support materials suggested for a

complete different interview style with more structured questions, it soon became clear that

people started to discuss freely on issues brought up in Neria without these structured

questions. This style (focus group discussions/in-depth-interviews and semi-structured

interviews) turned out to be more suitable for participants to utter their views1. The screenings

were held in towns (high density areas) with rural and urban participants as well as in remote

areas, where selected rural participants had in most cases been invited from all the district (s)

around to gather at a particular growth point or training centre. The composition of the groups

was in most cases manifold, covering all age ranges, sexes and occupations. Group sizes

varied from 10 to 130.

Screenings and group discussions were in most cases held in the respective vernacular

language and were translated by the respective facilitator of the screening. The screening and

discussions took in most cases approximately three hours, but were extended up to a full day,

where participants had travelled from far or where screenings were carried out in remote

areas.

In most cases, the screening was incorporated into a workshop or meeting, where the

researcher was given the three hours or more to introduce herself, explain thoroughly about

the project, screen the film and start the discussion. People started directly to discuss about

issues of relevance brought up in Neria and needed to be guided to another direction after a

while, since the discussions were never-ending. The comments were recorded and later

transcribed by the two research assistants.

The general impression gathered during the screenings is proving the intention of the whole

project right, since not even one participant disliked the film and although considerable

changes to the film were suggested (especially as far as the dealing with cultural issues in the

film is concerned) people were in general fully satisfied with the existing film. Although

1 Focus group discussions were mainly coring around the following guidelines:

Which issues brought up in Neria do you think are still relevant?

Which issues should be changed or added?

Which scenes do you remember best/could have an impact for a 20 minutes support video?

Which themes would you give sequences of the support video?

Who should narrate through the support video?

Style and content of the training manual?

Which problems do you face support do you consider necessary in your area?

contradicting issues were identified, people realised at the same time that it is – amongst

others - those issues (technical aspects or wrong representation of cultural issues) that

stimulated all those discussions.

Groups were supplied with a number of Neria posters and flyers to put up in offices,

community halls, homes and schools.

2.2.5 Support materials script and text design

Task: To prepare the script and text for the support materials (in English, to be translated

to Shona and Ndebele).

Step 1 (October-November 2000) Between October and November 2000, the training materials were drafted according to the

research results.

Step 2 (December 2000-April 2001) To equip the manual with legal educational pamphlets (required by research groups),

negotiations with the Legal Resources Foundation started in December and continued until

April 2001.

Step 3 (January 2001) After the second design team meeting in January 2001, a research for additional topics for the

manual suggested by design team members was carried out. Some sections of the support

materials draft were redesigned.

Step 4 (May 2001) A lawyer from the Legal Resources Foundation approved the legal content of the support

manual. After pre-testing (see below), suggested changes were incorporated into the pre-test

video.

Step 5 (June 2001) An address list of all support groups with all details was created after all distributors had

handed in an entry form. Picture cards for the support manual were designed.

Step 6 (July-August 2001) In July 2001, the translation and proof-reading of the support manual and the video sleeves

was implemented, until in August 2001, videos and manuals were printed.

2.2.6 Pre-testing

Task: To pre-test the support materials

Step 1 (March-May 2001) In order to find out if the Neria support materials have been designed effectively for its

audiences, potential target groups in urban, semi-urban and rural areas were shown the pre-

test video (English, Shona and Ndebele versions) and groups tested parts of the support

manual. The screenings were held with distributors’ groups some of which had already

participated in the original Neria screenings. Other groups had not seen the feature film

before. In most cases, participants were then divided into six subgroups to discuss the six

sequences of the manual in connection with the video. Groups returned to the plenary after a

certain time and reported on their findings. A local facilitator probed questions and answers of

the groups and led groups through discussion. Sessions took in most cases 2 to 3 hours.

A total of 449 people participated in 11 pre-testing sessions. Out of these 449 participants,

146 had never seen the feature film before.

2.3 A grassroots distribution campaign to reach

disadvantaged groups across Zimbabwe

2.3.1 Distributors – choice and follow-up

Task: To choose thirty groups in Zimbabwe and assess them with respect to their capacity

to use and distribute video at grassroots level in a gender-sensitive manner and

to incorporate their target groups needs (identified through formative research) into the

programme.

Groups should be informed about all project progress and should finally be trained to

effectively use and distribute the support materials.

Step 1 (May 2000) A previous selection of future distributors was done. A hand-out was compiled and was sent

along with an assessment questionnaire to

a) formerly identified NGO’s known to have used Neria in the past and known to successfully

implement gender-sensitive education and training programmes;

b) Institutions/agencies that are known to use video at community level (registered members

of Media for Development’s Video Resource Centre).

Step 2 (June-August 2000) Distributors were followed up on the completion of their assessment questionnaires. After

having analysed its findings, groups were chosen due to a number of interacting factors.

Every organisation might face constraints in one or another field, so even if answers given in

certain areas seemed not to justify a choice as such, a particular organisation had general

strengths where another organisation in the same area had a weakness. Where there were

obvious weaknesses in one area, it was always intended to choose another organisation that

can work in co-operation with the first one to allow maximum distribution effectiveness. As

far as the questionnaire is concerned, the following findings can be summarised:

Asked for reasons why the respective organisation/institution would like to use the Neria training package,

opinions can be summarised under the following topics:

- issues brought up in Neria are relevant to the organisations’ programmes;

- issues brought up in Neria do have an effect on organisations’ target groups (as experienced in the past);

- organisational structures of the organisation allow for the grassroots distribution of the Neria packages;

- the reputation/experience of the organisation in a certain area enables an effective use of the training

package;

- technical facilities of the organisation justify the application for participating in the project.

The types of programmes Neria will be incorporated into are manifold and do usually target on information

dissemination, awareness raising and skills training.

Issues to be addressed are

- HIV/AIDS

- Home based care/Primary health care

- Gender awareness

- Counselling/Mobilising

- Civic and Human Rights

- Income generation skills

Organisations stated they incorporate the training materials in the following ways:

- Video use as a discussion tool in ongoing projects;

- Video placement in a dissemination centre (free access for community members to borrow the video);

- Video use in new programmes that will be specifically designed with the Neria package in mind.

To assure that organisations (organisations relevant programmes) will survive at least a year to effectively

utilise the training package, groups were asked how long their funds were secured. In most cases, new funds

had just been generated for a maximum of two to four years.

To assure that the future training provided through the Neria Training for Trainer workshop to use the video

will not vanish with staff moving on to other tasks, organisations should state whether the staff will

approximately stay for one or two years to ensure effective use of the package. In general, answers stated a

period up to three years, but some answers indicated that the question was not asked in vain (‘depends on

individuals’; ‘as long as the health allows’, ‘as long as they do not move to greener pastures’ etc). See also point

4 below.

To test the experience in the use of video at community and other levels, groups were asked to state the

number of years they have been using video in education. 15 years as a maximum and 1 year as a minimum were

mentioned, with the majority of groups using video 5 to 10 years at all levels, which should allow for a set of

structures already implemented to face the common constraints with video use at grassroots level.

To find out about the frequency of programme-inherent dissemination facilities of Neria issues, organisations

were asked to state the number of occasions and the type of occasions where they could possibly use the

video. In general, groups do run their workshops/outreach programmes or any other programme where a

considerable amount of people can be reached on a monthly or quarterly basis, which allows for a constant

dissemination and distribution.

To learn about organisations’ use of languages when conducting workshops/programmes, groups were

asked to state which languages they are mainly using in interaction with their target groups. Note that some

organisations use one, two, three or more languages at the same time:

Shona 28 out of 30 groups

Ndebele 14 out of 30 groups

English 26 out of 30 groups

Others like Tonga, Shangani, Chewa or Chikunda were only used occasionally.

The number of people reached per month can, together with the frequency of occasions, provide further

information on the quantitative dissemination/distribution aspect. Most of the groups range either between 100

and 500 people reached per month or more than 1,000 per month, which should allow for a fair dissemination

during the occasions.

To ensure that programme impacts will be reported properly (to MFD on a quarterly basis) and to see if

organisations have activated own monitoring and/or evaluation systems to facilitate not only this task but to

ensure that groups would change their dissemination practices if failures are recognised on time, groups were

asked for their respective tools. Apart from 3 groups that do not have such systems (but are nevertheless known

to satisfactorily manage the task due to past experiences) 27 groups mentioned a wide range of M&E tools. They

are so different in nature that a summary is not possible.

Since one of the crucial aspects of this project is the widespread distribution of the materials, groups were

asked how they would promote the availability of the material. Already, most of the groups have listed a

manifold variety of strategies on how to fulfil this task effectively.

To get an idea of other groups operating in similar fields and to find out about networking efforts, groups

were asked to list major organisations/institutions they network with and why. Reasons for networking were in

most cases the common use of existing structures to save scarce resources or simply to share information on

existing programmes. Networking groups range from huge area networks, ministry departments, international aid

organisations or small groups that are helpful to network with in the respective project area.

To see how many groups or individuals could immediately be activated for distribution purposes, groups

should state the number and nature of targeted additional distributors. These range from 6 groups in the

area up to as many as 55,000 members of one group (given that they have resources to join in the process).

Judging from these first figures, a widely spread network of distributors in different fields and areas can be

estimated.

Step 3 (October 2000-September 2001) After the formative research in October, changes concerning the choice of distributors were

made due to findings during in-depth conversations or field visits. A follow-up on distributors

was done every two months to inform them about the project progress or to arrange data

collection on pre-tests, support manual address entries or training for trainers’ workshops.

2.3.2 Grassroots distribution training for trainers’ workshop

implementation

Task: To prepare, organise, implement and supervise two national grassroots workshops

(Shona and Ndebele).

Step 1 (July 2001) The agenda of the training for trainers workshops was designed and facilitators and venues

were identified.

Step 2 (September 2001) Two two-day training for trainers workshops were held in Harare and Bulawayo and groups

were provided with a maximum of ten sets free of charge to use and distribute the materials

further at grassroots level. The following issues were discussed during both workshops:

Expectations and fears concerning the workshops and their role as distributors;

The Neria project/objectives and limitations;

Communication for development (definition, barriers, strategies, video);

Inheritance – Discussing the issues raised in Neria and how they affect communities they

work with;

Technical aspects – the role of a distributor (requirements and tasks);

Inheritance – the new laws and their benefits (8 pieces of legislation);

The Neria support materials – suggestions on the use/Discussing the manual with the video

and the picture cards;

Planning effective strategies of distribution in the communities (How to mainstream or

incorporate the Neria project into existing programmes, how to promote and distribute the

materials and how to form strategic alliances /linkages with other organisations already in the

field).

Participants from both, the Harare and Bulawayo venue seemed to have their fears thoroughly

erased and their expectations fulfilled. Judging from the evaluation forms being handed in on

both days at both venues, participants seemed to have really enjoyed the set up and content of

the workshops. Although some participants felt that an additional workshop day could have

helped to intensify some issues, a thorough discussion revealed at both venues that a follow

up meeting after three to six months with all groups could help even more to monitor the

effectiveness of ‘their’ Neria programmes.

Step 3 (from September 2001 onwards) The press reported about the Neria support materials in the following publications (see

Attachment 5):

- Sunday Standard 29.04.01

- Radio 1 – Women on the move 07.09.01

- The Herald 29.09.01

2.3.3 Further distribution - The Wills and Inheritance Laws Programme From March 2001 onwards, negotiations concerning an upcoming multi-media educational

campaign by the Zimbabwean Ministry of Justice to promote the changes of the Inheritance

Laws after 1997 were carried out. The Neria project submitted a bid and was successful.

Together with another 26 organisations throughout Zimbabwe, Media for Development Trust

will participate in the 18 months awareness raising campaign. The organisation’s specific task

is the supply of Neria support material sets to the programme; moreover, the development of

an educational audio-tape as part of the Neria communication kit in still in discussion.

Since the campaign is nation-wide and the materials shall be distributed to all rural district

councils and schools throughout Zimbabwe, the Wills and Inheritance Laws programme will

ensure – next to the distributors’ system - the further distribution of the Neria support

materials to grassroots level. The materials will moreover be promoted in the media.

3 Project achievements The following achievements of the project can be summarised:

3.1 Participatory research Formative research can be called a success. After a total of forty-five assessment

questionnaires had been sent out all over Zimbabwe, forty questionnaires have been

completed and sent back to MFD; confirming their participation in the project. Then, a total of

25 out of 30 groups could be visited throughout Zimbabwe. During 23 screenings and 2 in-

depth-interviews, a total of 953 participants and staff members could be grouped into focus

group discussions to view the feature film and to give comments on issues of relevance to the

project.

The effectiveness of the Neria support materials has been pre-tested through distributors

networks with potential target groups in urban, semi-urban and rural areas. A total of 449

people participated in 11 pre-testing sessions. Out of these 449 participants, 146 had never

seen the feature film before.

The participative method of gathering data proved right since all participants highly

appreciated the fact that someone made the effort to see them in their respective areas and

their comments were of enormous value to the design of the training materials. During all

screenings, the necessity of the project was proved with participants’ awareness on legal and

gender issues being raised and them asking for Shona or Ndebele dubbings and training

materials to be brought to grassroots level for others who had to remain behind.

3.2 Development of support materials in three languages Although having not been considered in the original budget, the Neria support materials

have actually been developed in three languages: Shona, Ndebele and English (see attachment

4).

Where the Shona and Ndebele versions help to deliver the message to Zimbabwean grassroots

(where it is needed most), the English version proves to be a good choice wherever trainers

who do not speak the vernacular languages are trained. Moreover, having an English version

of the support materials widens the reach of the product and its message to neighbouring

African countries, whose widows experience similar constraints.

3.3 Reach of project/Successful distribution of support

materials The careful choice of distributors to transmit the message of the Neria support materials has

resulted in a wide geographical reach of the project (see attachment 2). As can be seen from

the table, a minimum of four big organisations such as the ZNFPC and the ZRC with

experience and well established structures to reach many communities are covering each

district of each province of Zimbabwe. Additionally, specific districts are covered by specific

local groups having established their own structures. As can be observed from attachment 3,

the support materials sets have been successfully distributed to these chosen groups. A total of

258 support materials sets have so far been handed out to chosen and like-minded groups.

They will distribute the Neria support materials within their variety of programmes.

3.4 Information dissemination From an early stage of the project, one could, judging from reactions of NGO’s, already guess

that, compiled in a sensitive way, the Neria support materials would have a great impact as an

empowerment tool in nonformal (adult) education. Wherever the project was discussed,

people immediately wanted to participate or have further information on the new laws.

Especially the reactions from legal NGO’s were overwhelming; with them now pointing out

the great chance for this project to design materials, that will for the first time directly assist in

the implementation of the Administration of Estates Amendment Act No. 6 of 1997 (known

as the ‘new’ Inheritance Law). Whenever possible, information material (brochures as well as

addresses of legal support groups or Neria posters and flyers) was distributed where the need

seemed to be the greatest. This was so especially in the remote and marginalised areas of

Zimbabwe.

3.5 Legal educational pamphlets donations Negotiations with the Legal Resources Foundation to provide the project with three legal

educational pamphlets in all three languages free of charge were successful after a long period

of discussion. The pamphlets are now being delivered and add an extra (educational) value to

the support manuals.

3.6 Monitoring and evaluation of distributors Due to the effective monitoring and evaluation system of most of the distributors of Neria,

a report on their experience with the materials will be sent quarterly to Media for

Development Trust; thereby allowing ongoing transparency for an independent evaluation

likely to be carried out in twelve months’ time.

3.7 Distribution through the Wills and Inheritance Laws

Campaign The Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs has launched the ‘Wills and

Inheritance Laws Project’ in order to thoroughly spread information on the changes of the

Inheritance Laws after 1997. Since they had invited for tender for suitable audio-visual

educational materials for their communication campaign, the Neria project has submitted a

tender and has won the bid. The Neria support materials will (though in a repackaged form)

be used as educational tools all over Zimbabwe, which will widen the distribution range

enormously.

3.8 Summary of the quantitative and qualitative project

output

Quantitative output Qualitative output

30 distributing agencies chosen Groups have been

successfully assessed to carry

out the task of a distributor

6 experts on the design team Experts supervise the

project with their knowledge

and experience

9 project progress reports

produced

Reports allow for

transparency of the project

process and create a traceable

data-base.

953 people participated in

screenings and focus group

discussions

Screenings and focus

group discussions catch the

opinion of a target group

sample throughout Zimbabwe

449 participants pre-test the

support materials

Pre-testing the materials

heightens the effectiveness of

the product and takes the data

back to the field

1500 support manuals in

Shona, English and Ndebele with 6

picture cards, 1 support groups

address list and 3 legal educational

pamphlets were printed

Produced support manuals

encourage an open discussion

of inheritance-related issues

amongst target groups

300 feature films and 300

support videos in Shona, English

and Ndebele were produced

Vernacular versions of

Neria feature films and

support videos heighten

identification possibilities of

target groups

2 training for trainers

workshops in Harare and

Bulawayo for 30 trainers held

Trainers trained in the

effective use of the support

materials

Trainers supplied with a

maximum of ten sets per group

free of charge

Distribution of training

materials to chosen groups

transports and promotes the

message to the grassroots

4 Project limitations The following limitations were experienced in the course of implementing the Neria

Grassroots Distribution Project.

4.1 Finance-related constraints/Time-related constraints One of the biggest constraints experienced during the project is certainly a lack of funds

combined with time-related constraints. Since both factors are interrelated, they are listed here

together.

Although the budget was designed in US$ for reasons of an unstable Zimbabwean

economy and the local currency, only one instalment was received in that currency. To

exchange the other instalments into Z$ resulted in a loss so that the actual grant initially

received was much lower than the budget suggests (see also the financial report).

The time factor discussed below increased the problems further, putting a financial burden on

the project when a shortage of foreign currency in the country resulted in a major price

increase in materials needed for the production of video and printed materials. Trying the

impossible, the need to meet the budget created a delay of tasks. This becomes clear when

observing time as a constraint to the project.

As it can be observed from the original budget there was never any provision for expenses

such as research-related expenses (initial research as well as pre-testing). Also, expenses such

as funds for translators or proof-readers have been left out of the budget.

Not enough money to pay for fast and efficient experts (translation etc.) and therefore

having to find experts who accepted less payment (or having to negotiate for a long time with

fast experts to make an exception, because the expert is not motivated and does not feel the

pressure from the one who cannot pay more) results almost immediately in a delay, since you

have to wait until the expert has taken her time.

No money for research-related expenses leaves one researcher with two voluntary research

assistants and thirty local groups who donated their time and their money to research related

expenses such as food and drinks or transport allowances for rural participants,

accommodation or transport for the researcher. No money means no travel allowance hence

the cheapest mode of transport was used, which – as an advantage definitely heightens

identification possibilities of the studied groups as well as it sensitises the traveller for the

need at grassroots through experience - certainly disadvantages the one who needs to meet

deadlines, given the transport situation at grassroots and the continuous fuel crisis experienced

during the past year.

4.2 Constraints related to politics Further to that, the political situation in Zimbabwe has been more than unstable for the past

year and longer, resulting in limited or no access to the field because of the violence

experienced at grassroots. Up to today, especially local groups are forced to cease their

programmes from time to time (as there was no activity in July 2000; limited activity in

August, September, October and November 2000 as well as limited activity in March, April

and May 2001), which left the Neria project - that relied heavily on participatory methods - lie

almost idle for months.

4.3 Constraints related to infrastructure The desolate communication infrastructure especially in some areas where Neria distributors

operate, made the follow up of distributors described under point 2.3.1 a tiring task. Written

communication (a form most organisations prefer for filing reasons) is a task in itself that

needs a full time staff member to deal with. Ever changing telephone numbers or addresses,

broken fax machines, slow or no mail delivery service due to strike as well as no electricity or

telephone services need strategies that are time-intensive such as radio communication from

exchange to hospital, mail delivery by local bus or identifying people that can carry mail to

target groups to mention just a few.

4.4 Constraints related to the distributors’ system The system of the distributors proves to be a tricky one during a year’s time, since the

nature of some of the NGO structures and the staffs’ attitude of leaving an organisation nearly

every year in search for greener pastures poses severe constraints to the sustainability of the

system. While it was believed that if only assessed properly and having informed chosen key

persons within organisations about all project progress and having visited most of the groups

and having established a personal relationship, the system would work better, the time span of

more than a year revealed only slight improvements. While it is definitely true that a personal

relationship needs to be established and groups need to be visited wherever they are situated,

the organisational structure definitely needs to be incorporated somehow in the assessment.

While a group is effective today, the change of its director tomorrow will turn the group

within the next months into an ineffective organisation – a fact that cannot be foreseen

without proper assessment.

After some distributing groups have been exchanged during the months (thinking it will

improve the effectiveness), experience shows that already three contact persons/key trainers

of different organisations have left their groups to work for others and only the evaluation will

tell if they have passed on project-related documentation as they were urged to during the

training for trainers’ workshops.

Many groups that filled in the assessment questionnaires provided wrong information on

their capacity; a fact that could only be found out after having visited the group and having

observed that there is no equipment, no staff and no suitable programme to justify the

participation in the programme (as had been indicated in the questionnaires). New groups had

to be contacted.

Cancellations of screening arrangements, that occurred frequently and that postponed the

project for months had the following reasons:

- Inability to secure fuel to reach remote areas where workshops are usually implemented;

- Inability of group participants to reach the screening destinations due to economic hardships;

- Political instability in the respective areas.

Given the reasons, cancellations were in most cases last minute so no alternative

arrangements with other groups could be made and valuable days passed unutilised.

Sometimes, the researcher had reached the remote area already while organisational staff was

still searching fruitlessly for fuel at other places, thinking the programme could still be

implemented.

Another crucial point concerning the distributors’ system, which was raised during the

Matabeleland workshop (and only there), refers to some organisations’ ability to incorporate

the product directly into their own programmes. While all groups have agreed that they can

benefit from the product and therefore can incorporate and promote it within their own

budget’s range, some of the Matabeleland workshop participants felt different nearly a year

after their choice. They stated that MFD would benefit from their promotion of the product

and therefore they needed an operational budget provided by MFD. They further stated that

their organisation’s budget was different from when they where chosen and political violence

in their areas of operation had resulted in most funding agencies to withdraw their funds, they

said. While there is definitely no need to incorporate an operational budget, it still makes

sense to think about the hidden agenda of some groups (others who operate in turbulent areas

have nevertheless just secured another three years of civic education; a field where Neria is

commonly used) and how these constraints could be erased right from the beginning. Lack of

interest, being spoiled by the generous hand-outs from other donors or high bureaucracy

levels within organisations can also be considered when looking for reasons why groups can

act like that.

4.5 Design team members and contradicting interests Design team members were chosen considering their experience and knowledge to fields

relevant to the development of the support materials. Unfortunately it was experienced that

some members of the team also had a hidden agenda as was observed with some of the

distributors. Since some members were aware of the upcoming Wills and Inheritance Laws

campaign, which had at that time received the letter of confirmation, they simply went where

they saw more benefits for themselves. Some of the information provided by experts who

wanted to participate in the other campaign, proved to be wrong and was clearly stated to

harm the Neria project. The fact that none of these experts, who today join the same work

group than MFD had ever mentioned the existence of the Neria project to the Wills and

Inheritance Laws committee to be incorporated in their work group, proves this point. Extra

time was needed to correct their faults.

4.6 What is law ? Legal accuracy and contradicting

interests Since Neria was to be transformed to an educational tool, the idea was to provide legal

information that is as accurate as possible. Unfortunately, it seemed not clear what the real

facts concerning the laws were. Confusing old-fashioned laws mixed with new laws that

contradict each other as well as a legal system that operates on the base of certain practices

(that are sometimes illegal but are still practised even in the courts) rather than on legal facts

makes it hard to see through the legal jungle. What is promoted in the Midlands is not

necessarily what is practised in Matabeleland (and is therefore not regarded as ‘law’).

Different experts with different ideas on what should be law, what is law and what is rather a

practice posed a severe constraint since they either did not know the facts or simply had a

different idea concerning what should be promoted.

5 Project impact Having observed the projects achievements and limitations, it will be interesting to discuss the

possible project impact within the next twelve months.

5.1 How will the support materials be used and promoted

by distributors? Judging from the groups’ statements in their assessment questionnaires, and, more important,

statements made during the workshops, the following use of the material can be assumed:

To show the film in schools, at church gatherings or in long distance buses;

To show the film in police recreational halls and during district development meetings;

To incorporate the materials in IEC programmes and HIV/AIDS programmes;

To use community theatre, road-shows, radio spots and IEC materials for promotion;

To create linkages in networking, corporation and facilitation;

To distribute the materials through schools, churches, local authority, NGOs and the

industrial sector;

To promote the materials through training sessions, case studies, HBC, focus group

discussions in communities;

To network via exchange visits, sharing reports, continuing meetings and loaning the

materials to key organisations;

To print messages about Neria on caps and T-shirts;

Distribution through the picture method for thought provoking, music, drama and audio-

tape;

Networking through the invitation of resource persons, the team-teaching and the ‘Better

Schools Programme’;

Implement programmes straight away and help other groups with a 1day workshop to

impart the knowledge;

Make use of existing structures, the use of notice boards, use of networking partners and

youth centres and clubs;

Promote through the use of newsletters, the internet, and workshops in health institutes,

schools and mines and to discuss with school leavers, ZRP and ZINATHA;

Sale of materials on behalf of MFD;

Use quiz shows, posters, drama groups, songs and music in libraries, clubs (IGP),

hospitals, community centres and churches.

5.2 Who is likely to benefit from the support materials? When going through the various activities being likely to be implemented in the next twelve

months, it is clear that the beneficiaries of the materials will not only be disadvantaged

persons in urban and rural areas but also key players in decision making positions, who can

then, in turn, pass on the information to disadvantaged people they meet and assist every day.

The inclusion of strategic institutions such as schools, courts, police offices or hospitals will

ensure that awareness can be raised at an early stage and various levels of society. Judging

from the estimates given by distributors, they are able to reach as many as @ 750 people per

month per group which can be around 25,000 people per month. When all groups implement

their programme only once every month (likely to be more), we can estimate to reach around

150,000 in six months. Knowing that the groups will pass on their materials to at least another

five groups per one distributor, we can further assume that the actual number of beneficiaries

will be a lot higher.

The campaign of the Ministry of Justice moreover targets to reach as many as three million

people with their communication materials. These will be located in the marginalised areas of

Zimbabwe.

5.3 What additional material is necessary to strengthen

the impact of the package for different users? Judging from the research that has been carried out before and in the course of this project it

is clear that video as an educational tool can be powerful, because

- people remember most when they hear, see and feel at the same time;

- video can be repeated or paused and crucial issues can be discussed with the audience;

- films open up people’s minds and can overcome the gender, race and status barrier;

- local films heighten identification possibilities for viewers and help them – by watching -

to re-live a certain situation, but this time, there is a solution offered.

Although most certainly, awareness on certain issues is being raised and current attitudes and

practices might be revised in favour of a gender-sensitive approach, the step to behaviour

change of both, women and men cannot solely be achieved with one screening of Neria, the

use of the support video or the manual.

Although the encouragement of discussions regarding inheritance-related tradition and

practices in the community will help to enforce the viewed, the following issues must be

considered to have a sustainable effect:

Which materials are being left in the community after the trainer has left? With whom?

Who in the community follows up on the process of behaviour change? How will it be

measured?

Which support structures are available for community members in order for them to apply

recently learnt information and strategies (this includes informal support such as the creation

of women’s groups to share and discuss, nonformal structures such as paralegal advice groups

as well as the availability of formal structures such as access to courts or police within the

range of neighbouring communities)? How can they interact?

6 Recommendations Judging from the experience gained through this project’s implementation, the following

recommendations can be made:

6.1 Budget As far as the budget is concerned, the following issues need to be part of every participatory

project:

- ‘Devaluation back up’ (where grants cannot be paid in hard currency, an additional sum

must be incorporated to cover up a for a nearly 90% inflation rate of the Zimbabwe Dollar and

ever-rising production costs of raw materials needed to make films and supportive materials

from the technical as well as the social point of view);

- Research-related expenses (assistants, translators, transport, accommodation and food in

the field, relevant stationary for PRA methods, food or drinks for participants, filming and

recording material); translation-related expenses (to engage professional translators and proof-

readers to ensure quality translation) and printing materials-related expenses (to engage

professional printers in the face of ever-rising printing costs);

- Post-project-follow up-related expenses (since distributors need to be followed up at least

four times before the project can be evaluated, an additional budget must be incorporated and

a person familiar with the project should be tasked to carry out the follow up.

Moreover, groups suggest that a meeting of a day or two with all groups from all over the

country could help them to monitor their activities and share experiences. A budget for this

meeting should also be incorporated).

6.2 Effectiveness of distributors’ system - Distributing groups should sign a contract upon agreement to participate in the project in

order to heighten their identification with the task. This will also help to remind them more

effectively to come up with their quarter reports.

- All distributors, no matter where they are situated in Zimbabwe, should have at least been

visited once before they are given materials free of charge. The current economic hardships or

the above mentioned ‘brain-drain’ can be seen as reasons why materials remain under-utilised

whereas literally around the corner, they can have a crucial impact in the hands of a more

effective organisation or institution.

- Distributors who have not attended the training for trainers’ workshop should only be

given materials when they are likely to receive the relevant information form a like-minded

group.

- The variety of the distributors’ nature must be manifold in order to reach the target group

(The target groups’ preference should dictate the choice of the distributors and support groups

– not personal preference – which means also to mix as opposing groups as traditional

healers, church groups and women’s activists in order to benefit the disadvantaged).

The follow-up meeting of distributors mentioned under point 6.1 can help to increase the

sustainability of the project, since group members do not loose the personal contact to like-

minded groups and are more likely to come up with new strategies once there is a ‘reminder’

in place.

In order to ensure the sustainability of the project, which goes along with the independent

promotion, use and distribution of the Neria support materials, it is necessary to create

supporting structures that will last once a project has been officially terminated. Which groups

do have the finance, the personal capacity and the interest to support the project once you

have left? It is necessary to ensure that at least some distributors will promote the messages to

the target groups and advocate on your behalf for the benefit of the disadvantaged. Video as

an educational tool should be part of every distributor’s budget.

6.3 Recommendations for the implementing

agency/future projects As far as future projects are concerned, the following issues should be considered:

- Learning a lesson from past projects is crucial for future projects (which also means to

keep a proper, accessible data base of past experiences);

- The same type of project (with different films) should never be implemented at the same

time (experience has shown that confusion is likely to occur which will hinder an effective

project impact – especially when similar or the same research tools are being used and

similar or the same distributing groups were chosen to promote different films);

- Ensure that all translation processes are being handled by local people who speak/use their

language the way the project’s target group is likely to do. This is not necessarily an

expert from the University of Zimbabwe, for example, but more likely a person who is

based at community level;

- Ensure that part of the expert team is always a person from the ‘real’ grassroots;

- Ensure that the project has enough time to circulate its documents not only to ‘experts’,

but also to communities;

- A proper communication strategy must accompany the proposal for the development of a

grassroots tool – radio and newspapers as well as television are necessary partners to

comment on project progress and output.

It is believed that the given reasons for having experienced limitations within the Neria

project were to some extent unavoidable and reflect the constraints within organisations in

general during these days of hardships.

Having observed the set up of organisations and having experienced the problems they face at

grassroots level was nevertheless a very valuable experience for the project and can be used

when planning similar projects in the future.

Looking also at the fact that the Neria support materials will join the education campaign on

the Inheritance Laws of Zimbabwe, the general recommendation made is that a tool like Neria

should not be used to impose the law on communities but communities should rather be given

the different legal, social and cultural options to make their own informed choice.