The role of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in poverty reduction in Kasipul division, Rachuonyo District

Abstract

This study was on the role of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in poverty reduction in Kasipul Division, Rachuonyo district. The objectives of the study were: to identify all the NGOs working in Kasipul Division and analyse their programme activities in poverty reduction; to document the local peoples' views on NGO Programme Activities; to determine the level of community participation in NGO Activities; to assess the impact of these programme activities on poverty levels and to analyse the constraints that these NGOs face in their efforts to reduce poverty. Eleven NGO representatives were surveyed to get the information from the NGOs perspective using a standard questionnaire. This was followed by key informant interviews targeting the community leaders and finally six focus group discussions were held with community members in selected locations within the district. Much of the data gained in the process was qualitative but accompanied by limited quantitative data. The results of the study show that out of the Eleven NGOs working in the division, improving agricultural productivity and HIV /Aids management and control were the leading poverty reduction programmes being undertaken by the NGOs. Secondly, the most successful programmes by NGOs in poverty reduction were in water and sanitation. Thirdly, inadequate resources (funding, facilities, and personnel), difficulty in mobilizing and motivating the community members were the leading challenges the NGOs faced. Further, community participation in the projects were mainly on implementation where they were contributing material resources-land, money, labour- and non material resources; '. ,,# Finally, the study noted that the leading expectation of the community from the NGOs in poverty reduction was that they be provided with final~i"al assistance through grants and loans for improving agricultural production and establishing business enterprises .. The study concludes by making several recommendations that should be given attention by NGOs including: NGOs should invest more resources in programmes aimed at improving economic conditions of the people by increasing household incomes. They need to rethink and engage more on increasing community participation and not restricting it to contributions of energy, time and resources by the community. Increasing dialogue between the NGOs and the communities they work in/with is required to foster better understanding of each other and to avoid creating expectations that are not realizable. v The NGOs should discontinue over-reliance on donor funding by diversifying their resource base especially through having income generating projects and partnership with the private sector especially in the light that a number of companies are currently willing to support community development projects as a part of their corporate social responsibility. Finally, The NGOs should avoid demanding cash from the community as part of cost sharing strategy as this increases the burden of the people who are already struggling to obtain basic needs. Instead they should quantify the non-cash contributions in financial terms and attribute it to the community. Further research is however required for better understanding of the role ofNGOs in poverty reduction. Some of the important questions worthy of further exploration are: how can the NGOs and other partners in development working within the same area maximize output out of their efforts in by tapping into each other's strengths? What are the most fruitful ways of communication with the community members that will help in better mobilization and commitment to the programmes? Further, the issue "over-burdened communities" need to be engaged by scholars to refine the concept of participation. Finally, to ensure sustainability of the project benefits, the role of the larger and well established CBOs as agents of community transformation as opposed to the smaller grassroots organizations should be investigated by scholars.