"Msigani ward Leads Change with ABCD and Triple A Tools"

By Our Writer

Between April 19th and 30th, 2025, the Tanzania Gender Networking Programme (TGNP) facilitated a dynamic Participatory Action Research (PAR) process in Msigani Ward, Ubungo Municipal. This initiative aimed to empower local communities especially women to lead their own development, with a strong emphasis on mainstreaming the Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) model.

The facilitation, led by TGNP’s community animator Deogratius Temba, applied participatory methods grounded in ABCD principles, encouraging community members to identify and activate the resources they already possess. Inspired by the philosophy “Use what you have to get what you don’t have”originally articulated by Fr. Moses Coady, the community engaged in deep reflection on local solutions to their challenges, strengthening ownership, sustainability, and gender equity.

During the sessions held in Msigani ward, the TGNP Animator elaborated on the organization’s vision, mission, and strategies, including the Intensive Movement Building Cycle (IMBC)  na strategic approach to building a transformative feminist movement. He then introduced the objectives of the training and co-developed ground rules with participants to foster an inclusive learning environment.

A central component of the sessions was the introduction of the PAR process and the Triple A approach, which stands for Assess, Analyse, and Action. These three pillars were thoroughly unpacked to ensure participants understood how they form the foundation of the PAR methodology and how to apply them for community-driven transformation. In Kiswahili, these steps are known as Uibuaji, Uchambuzi, and Utekelezaji. Through these methods, participants raised key issues affecting their communities, identified root causes, and designed locally grounded solutions.

A highlight of the process was the application of the Pentagon Framework (R-5) to identify the community’s wealth in five key areas. Human resources included local teachers, youth, and skilled artisans who offer knowledge and energy to community efforts. Natural resources such as rivers, land, and trees were recognized for their potential in agriculture, water access, and environmental preservation. Social resources like women’s groups, neighborhood associations, and religious institutions formed the backbone of community support and mobilization. Economic resources such as livestock, small businesses, tools, and local savings groups were appreciated for their role in household resilience. Finally, cultural resources including songs, festivals, shared values, and traditional practices helped to unify and inspire collective action. These resources were all documented and integrated into a community action plan—demonstrating that development does not begin with what is missing, but with what is already present.

One of the participants, Mary Luhambati, shared her reflections: “One of the most important things I learned was how to identify and analyze the five key resources in our community. This was truly eye-opening for me. These ABCD foundation methods opened my mind—I now understand that we can use what we already have to gain what we don’t. I’ve also come to see how our community efforts can align with what the government is doing. After this training, we will collaborate more closely with our government to bring significant change to our community.”

Another Msigani resident, Doreen Nanyaro,  added: “We realised that we don’t need to wait for someone from outside to bring change. We already have enough to begin transforming our community what we needed was a shift in mindset.”

TGNP’s integration of ABCD, PAR, Triple A, and IMBC into its grassroots mobilization work reflects its broader commitment to inclusive development and gender justice. These efforts are part of TGNP’s collaboration with the Coady International Institute in Canada under the Engage Project, which supports community-led transformation with a gender equality lens.

Through this participatory and empowering approach, Msigani Ward has become a powerful example of what is possible when communities take the lead in identifying their priorities and building the future they envision—starting with what they already have.