A further reason for choosing Guizhou for a project on participatory approaches derives from the common perception that the poorest are thought to be silent. The participatory approach intentionally tries to provide a way for the poorest to control
their own lives. (Chambers 1983) Guizhou is a province where ethnic minorities are concentrated. There are 46 ethnic minority groups comprise 31.48% of the total population in Guizhou, whereas the total number of ethnic minority groups nationwide is 5
