Non-governmental Organization Water Projects and Social Development in Rulindo District, Rwanda

ABSTRACT The purpose of the study was an investigation of the effect of water projects provided by Non- governmental organizations on the social development of the people of Rulindo District in Rwanda. According to the Rwanda Ministry of Health, Rulindo District was singled out as one of the districts most affected by problems related to lack of water and sanitation. The study was guided by the following objectives: i) to analyze how Water for People Projects have provided safe drinking water and improved sanitation facilities for the people of Rulindo district; ii) to assess the social development status of the people of Rulindo district as a result of water for people projects; and iii) to analyze the challenges encountered during the implementation of water for people projects in Rulindo District. This study adopted a descriptive cross-sectional survey design. The study population was 64,956 beneficiaries of the Water for People Project. The sample size was 398 respondents and 315 respondents participated in the research. Data collection was done through interviews and focus group discussion. The results indicated that through Water for People projects, the people of Rulindo are able to access safe and clean drinking water and improved sanitation facilities. Furthermore, the study found out that the social life of the people of Rulindo district are susceptible to vulnerability to the high poverty level which is attributed to low level of education and lack of formal employment. Lastly, the study found out that the challenges faced by the Water for People project was political interference, lack of adequate funding and project sustainability capacity. The study concluded that Water for People project is relevant in improving the social life of the people by providing accessible and affordable water system which will improve their wellbeing. The study made the following recommendations: the need to train more households on water storage and sanitation handling, and the use of technology to increase coverage with water and sanitation facilities.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

DECLARATION ....................................................................................................................................ii

APPROVAL ..........................................................................................................................................iii

DEDICATION.......................................................................................................................................iv

ACKOWLEDGEMENT.........................................................................................................................v

LISTS OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS ............................................................................vi

LIST OF FIGURE...................................................................................................................................x

ABSTRACT...........................................................................................................................................xi

CHAPTER ONE.....................................................................................................................................1

INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................................1

1.1 Background of the Study ..................................................................................................................1

1.1.1 Historical Perspective ....................................................................................................................1

1.1.2 Theoretical Perspective ..................................................................................................................3

1.1.3 Conceptual Perspective ..................................................................................................................4

1.1.4 Contextual Perspective...................................................................................................................5

1.2 Problem Statement............................................................................................................................5

1.3 Purpose of the Study .........................................................................................................................6

1.4Objectives of the Study......................................................................................................................6

1.5 Research Questions...........................................................................................................................7

1.7 Scope of the Study ............................................................................................................................7

1.7.1 Geographical Scope .......................................................................................................................7

1.7.2 Theoretical Scope...........................................................................................................................7

1.7.3 Content Scope ................................................................................................................................7

1.7.4 Time Scope ....................................................................................................................................7

1.8 Significance of the Study ..................................................................................................................8

1.9 Operational Definitions of Key Terms..............................................................................................8

CHAPTER TWO ..................................................................................................................................10

LITERATURE REVIEW .....................................................................................................................10

2.0 Introduction.....................................................................................................................................10

2.1 Theoretical Framework...................................................................................................................10

2.2 Conceptual Framework...................................................................................................................11

2.3 Related Studies................................................................................................................................12

2.3.1 Non-government water projects...................................................................................................12

2.3.1.1 Safe Drinking Water Facilities..................................................................................................15

2.3.1.2 Sanitation Facilities...................................................................................................................16

viii

2.3.2 Social Development.....................................................................................................................17

2.3.2.1 Reduced Vulnerability ..............................................................................................................18

2.3.2.2 Social Inclusion.........................................................................................................................21

2.3.2.3 Improved Wellbeing .................................................................................................................23

2.3.3 Empirical Studies.........................................................................................................................25

2.4 Gaps in the Reviewed Literature.....................................................................................................26

CHAPTER THREE ..............................................................................................................................27

METHODOLOGY ...............................................................................................................................27

3.0 Introduction.....................................................................................................................................27

3.1 Research Design..............................................................................................................................27

3.2 Study Population.............................................................................................................................27

3.3 Sample Size.....................................................................................................................................27

3.4 Sampling Technique .......................................................................................................................29

3.5 Data Source.....................................................................................................................................29

3.6 Research Instruments (Data Collection Tools) ...............................................................................29

3.6.1 Focus Group Discussions.............................................................................................................29

3.6.3Documentary Review....................................................................................................................30

3.7 Validity and Reliability...................................................................................................................31

3.7.1 Validity ........................................................................................................................................31

3.7.2 Reliability.....................................................................................................................................31

3.8 Data Collection Procedure ..............................................................................................................31

3.9 Data Presentation ............................................................................................................................32

3.10 Data Analysis................................................................................................................................32

3.11 Ethical Considerations..................................................................................................................32

CHAPTER FOUR.................................................................................................................................34

DATA PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION ..................................................34

4.0 Introduction.....................................................................................................................................34

4.1 Response Rate.................................................................................................................................34

4.2 Demographic Characteristics of the Respondents...........................................................................35

4.3 How Water for People Projects have Provided Safe Drinking Water and Improved Sanitation 

Facilities for the People of Rulindo District .........................................................................................37

4.4 The Social Development of the People of Rulindo District As a Result of Water For People 

Projects..................................................................................................................................................45

4.5 The Challenges Encountered During the Implementation of Water For People Projects in Rulindo 

District ..................................................................................................................................................50

CHAPTER FIVE ................................................................................................................................52

DISCUSSION OF THE FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS .............52

5.0 Introduction...................................................................................................................................52

5.1 Discussions.....................................................................................................................................52

5.1.1 How Water for People Projects have Provided Safe Drinking Water and Improved Sanitation 

Facilities for the People of Rulindo District .........................................................................................52

5.1.2 The Social Development of the People of Rulindo District As a Result of Water For People 

Projects..................................................................................................................................................54

5.1.3 The Challenges Encountered During the Implementation of Water For People Projects in 

Rulindo District.....................................................................................................................................55

5.2 Conclusion ......................................................................................................................................55

5.3 Recommendations...........................................................................................................................56

5.4 Contribution to Knowledge.............................................................................................................57

REFERNCES........................................................................................................................................58

APPENDICES ......................................................................................................................................66

APPENDIX I: FOCUS GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS ...........................................................66

APPENDIX II: INTERVIEW GUIDE QUESTIONS ..........................................................................68