The Church's Role in Rural Development: a Case Study of the Catholic Church in Uasin-gishu District From 1969 - 1979

Abstract

This study alms at examining In which ways, if any, the Catholic Church has contributed to Rural Development In Uasin-Gishu District from 1969 to 1979, in the fields of secondary education, health services, agriculture and development education. The period chosen is post Vatican Council II of 1965, in which the Catholic Church underwent a metamorphosis, whereby previous emphasis on the Spiritual life of man at the expense of his material needs was abandoned. Equal stress was then laid on both needs of man - the spiritual and the material, as the main concern of the Church. In Chapter One, foundation is laid for the study In defining the problem 2~Q justifying the significance of the study. Rural development is seen as the main focus of government development activities in the developing countries. The fact that these governments look to non-governmental organisations to contribute in this process warrants the study of the Church's role in his area. The subject area of study is one of those fields not fully explored. This, among other reasons, is given as the significance of this undertaking. The terms used in this study are then clarified to facilitate the understanding of the study. A brief background information of the District of research is also given to bring the reader into the picture. Finally, the methods used in data collection and the analysis constitute the end of this Chapter. In Chapter Two, the relevant literature on the subject, development, rural development and the Church are examined at length. The ultimate alm is to bring out the main issues involved in the field of Church and Development. In addition, the views of local Church theologians on the Church's involvement In development are highlighted. A brief examination of the different views on foreign Church aid is given some treatment. Chapter Three is an inquiry into the problems facing the rural people in the District. The purpose of this, is to be in a position later to assess the relationship between the people's problems and the Church's development activities. Do they help to solve these problems? Chapter Four, concentrates on the findings of the Church's development activities in secondary " education, health services and agriculture. These are discussed in the light of hypotheses stated at end of Chapter Two. Their contribution to development and their shortcomings are brought out. In chapter Five, the contribution of the Church to development education of the people is examined. It is noted, how the Diocesan Development Office plays a vital role in this respect. Activities of Church initiated women groups are discussed under social work. In all, development education emerges as the most important contribution made by the Church In development. Finally in Chapter Six, a summary of the findings of this study are given and so are the recommendations. The recommendations focus on what the Church should do. A few areas that require further research are also highlighted.