Lutahanamilwa, Doreen Johansen Jackson2020-06-172020-06-172007Lutahanamilwa, D. J. J (2007) Participation and problem solving in rural setting: the case of water in Mang'hangu village, Mpwapwa district. Master dissertation, University of Dar es Salaam. Dar es Salaam.http://41.86.178.5:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/12493Available in printed form, East Africana Collection, Dr. Wilbert Chagula Library, Class mark (THS EAF HN49.T34.L55 )The study set out to investigate the factors that are vital for enhancing effectiveness of participation in improving lives of rural people in Mpwapwa District. This study used qualitative methodology, specifically, the Participatory Action Research (PAR) in analyzing the problem of scarcity of water in Mpwapwa District. This approach allowed the community members in collaboration with the research team to analyze scientifically the problem and its effects and eventually came up with possible solutions. The findings reveal that there was lack of effective participation in the implementation of the supposedly water project. As a consequent, the community members were not able to learn in the process as one member said “if this education was provided during the time of initiating the project, the shortage of water could have been solved.” Among the causes mentioned during the study include the following: insufficient security around the water pump which led to vandalism, lack of rainfall harvest and the destruction of sources of water. It was learnt that effective participation is very crucial in supporting project development and sustainability. It has been revealed that effective participation is likely to be achieved if some of the following are taken into consideration: provision of education for community members to know their rights and responsibilities. The community must also be informed on policies, programs and legislations immediately relevant to their life, and the maintenance of communication channel among leaders especially bottom up communication in order to instill agreed solutions.enRural areas,Water supplyRural comunity developmentParticipatory rural developmentMpwapwa districtThesis