SARAR stands for Self esteem, Awareness, Responsibility, Action planning and Resourcefulness. The understanding is that:

• If community members become aware of their problems and are given sufficient information on which to base their decisions (awareness);
• Are allowed to plan and implement projects for themselves (action planning);
• Are given the space to experiment to find the most appropriate solution (resourcefulness);
• They will take responsibility for their situation (responsibility); and
• Thereby gain confidence in their ability to solve their own problems (self esteem).

The SARAR philosophy underpins the Participatory Hygiene and Sanitation Transformation (PHAST) approach. The Mvula Trust has developed a number of PHAST tools/materials for project implementation. These include:

• O&M and cost recovery systems
• Communication
• Defining clear roles and responsibilities
• Monitoring and evaluation
• Technology choice
• Community management

PHAST uses pictures so that illiterate people are not disadvantaged – pictures communicate an idea better than words. Pictures also overcome language disadvantages. PHAST allows community members to identify their problems, find solutions and express their ideas without revealing their individual circumstances or beliefs.