Assessment of Humanitarian Industrys Role on Social Economic Development of Rwandas Rural Areas The Case Study of World Vision International Rwanda Programme in Nyamagabe District, 1994 2007

ABSTRACT: 

The major challenge facing the Rwandan economy is the issue of low levels of economic growth and economic development and this problem is most felt in rural areas. Rwanda still experiences health problems, low levels of per capita incomes, high levels of illiteracy, high levels of poverty, low levels of education, high levels of infant and maternal mortality rates, lack of basic needs, low levels of life expectancy, under developed social and economic infrastructure, poor standards of living, hunger, lack of safe water and proper sanitation, malnutrition, issues of unity and reconciliation, low levels of credit extension schemes and poor methods of agriculture. The study was therefore carried out to find the major challenges facing the Rwandan economy and how various stakeholders such as the NGOs are working towards overcoming such challenges. This study was carried out in Nyamagabe district and the researcher employed both qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection. The key findings of this research study indicated that the role of NGOs interventions in different sectors of the economy have significantly contributed towards improved living standards of the rural population by increasing house holds incomes, wealth and accumulation of home assets. However, limited funds and high community vulnerability have made WVR not to fully alleviate Nyamagabe rural poverty. The conclusions drawn show that the role of NGOs interventions in Rwanda’s rural areas is of paramount importance and can not be underestimated. However, the fight against rural poverty still remains at large. The researcher recommends that the government should encourage and support positive NGOs interventions and offer legal facilitation other than viewing them with suspicion and competitors because their contributions towards social — economic development of rural areas can not be under estimated and has been recognized world wide.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

DECLARATION....... . i

DEDICATION...... . ~.. . .. . .. ....,.., . ,,,, , ,,,,,, , , ......,,,,,,, ,, , ,,,,, , , , , ,, ,,, ,, ,,,,,

APPROVAL.......,., , ... .. . .. . .~.. ., ,.. . .~.,. , ,. . , ,“,,..,...,,,, iii

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT....... . .. .... ... ....., iv

TABLE OF CONTENTS....... . .. . .. .... .. ,. .. . . v

LIST OF TABLES. .~ vii

ABSTRACT~.... .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. ... . .. ,,, ,,. , ,, , ,. . .. , ,, , ,, , ,,,,, , ,, , ,~,, , ,,,,,.,,ix

CHAPTER ONE: GENERAL INTRODUCTION

1.0 Introduction..,.,....,....,,,.,...,..........,......... I

1.1 Background to the study~1

1.2 Statement ofthe problem~17

1.3 World Vision Rwanda core values, mission and vision statement.,........ 19

1.4 Objectives ofthe study_....... ...... ....,.......... ...................,........... 20

1.4.1 The general objectives 20

1.4.2 The specific objectives~20

1.5 The research questions 21

1.6 The limitations ofthe study 22

1.7 The significance ofthe study 22

The scope ofthe study 23

CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW

2.0 Introduction . 24

2.1 Definition and classification ofNGOs.,.,......................,......,........ 24

2.2 Briefhistory and origin ofNGOs and humanitarian work,....,,,..,,,,., 29

2,3 Why NGOs? Theories oftheir creation andperpetuation ................... 32

2.4 Review ofstudies related to various aspects ofthe study 35

2.5 Briefhistory of World Vision International 47

2.6 World Vision Rwanda programmes 49

2.7 A look at causes ofunderdevelopment in less developed countries 53

2.8 characteristics ofNon Government Organizations 55

2.9 Roles and importance ofNGOs in Rwandan economy 62

CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.0 Introduction 84

Research design 84

Research population 86

Research sample and sampling procedure 84.

Instrumentation validity and reliability 85

Data collection procedures . 86

Data analysis procedures . 86

CHAPTER FOUR: DATA PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION

4.0 Introduction 89

4.1 The profile of the sample that was studied 89

CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS

ANDRECOMMENDATION

5:0 The introduction,.,,,,.....,,...,,,,. ..~ 108

5:1 Summa,y ofthefindings - 108

conclusions 111

Recommendations 113

Recommendations to World Vision Rwanda Management Team 113

Recommendations to the Government ofRwanda 114

Recommendations to the community beneficiaries 115

Suggestions forfurther research 116

Bibliography 117

The list ofacronyms 120

Appendices . - 121