Intended for use as a planning tool by adult educators and program administrators, this manual is designed to offer guidance for the development of instructional, self-help, and training programs geared toward rural adults with low education and/or skills. Part I focuses on the "Tribes" process, an educational strategy built around positive peer support as a means of promoting learning and emotional development. A special demonstration project is outlined that was undertaken in Leon County, Florida, to teach basic life survival skills to undereducated rural adults by introducing the tribes process to their learning environment. Project accomplishments and strengths and weaknesses are presented. Part II extracts from the experiences described in part I the key implications and recommendations for enhancing effectiveness when working with economically disadvantaged rural adults. Implications and recommendations are made relevant to program development, participant recruitment, and program implementation. Part III offers examples of group and individual learning projects and activities that can be used to help special populations to improve their basic life coping skills. These activities and/or projects are listed under four basic skills areas: consumer awareness; health, safety, and nutrition; work/career awareness; and financial management. (YLB)