History And Meaning Of Terms Economics Essay
 

有一個主要的問題，它困擾每個人和社會的每一個角落；不管是富人還是窮人，民主黨還是資本主義！即使是大國和他們不那么幸運的鄰國產生摩擦和遇到的同僚。這個問題似乎是“貧困”的繼承。

“貧困”這個問題，由于嚴重的挫折，它引起了全球人類的普遍關注。這已成為世界流行的威脅全世界的經濟，特別是那些最不發達國家（LDCs）和發展中國家。許多這些國家可以在亞洲，拉丁美洲和非洲被發現。據 Raanan Weitz在1986年說，當人類共享一個地球時，它是一顆擁有兩個世界的行星，富人和窮人的世界“這些窮人世界的國家被稱為第三世界。[ 1 ]

這些第三世界國家的特點是低經濟增長，人均收入低，生活水平低，和低水平的技術。還有高失業率，高的嬰兒死亡率，孕產婦死亡率高，文盲率高，政治不穩定。

所有這些為這些第三世界的國家的經濟增長過程造成了障礙。

 

There is one major problem that is plaguing each and every corner of society; whether rich or poor, democrat or capitalist! Even the big powers and their less fortunate colleagues are rubbed and encounter snapshots of it. This problem that seems to be an inheritance is “Poverty”.

 

The issue of “Poverty” has been a general concern to humanity due to the serious setback it has been causing globally. This has become the world’s epidemic threatening economies the world over, especially those in the Least Developing Countries (LDCs) and Developing Nations. Many of these countries can be found in Asia, Latin America, and Africa. According to Raanan Weitz 1986,”while humanity shares one planet, it is a planet on which there are two worlds, the rich and the world of the poor” these poor world countries are called the Third World. [1]

 

These Third World countries are characterized by low economic growth, low per capital income, low standards of living, and low levels of technology. There is also high unemployment rate, high infant mortality rate, high maternal death rate, high illiteracy rate, and political instability.

 

All of these serve as an impediment to the economic growth processes of these Third World countries.

 

According to Allan Cochrane” A crucial aspect of poverty is the way in which it reduces the ability of people to participate in the normal lives of their communities with stress being placed on the deprivation which results from the lack of money rather than the low income itself” [2]

 

Poverty can influence policy intervention in any society and it is central to policy debates concerning development on welfare issues. Poverty must come to an end, economies should grow, the world must be reached! This goal can only be achieved by lovers of society, lovers of humanity. Who are they? Non-Governmental Organizations or NGOs.#p#分頁標題#e#

 

These actors play a significant role in influencing and determining the course of international relations but yet are not so officially recognized by states. Nonprofit making, non-state, non-firm actors may include environmental groups, business associations, labor unions, human rights organizations, consumer groups, church and religious groups, academic institutions, think tanks, trade and industry associations, grassroots not-for-profit organizations, and many others voluntarily approved actors formed, with specific aims and objectives that are active in various human welfare.

 

According to Daniel S. Papp, Non-government Organizations are extremely diverse in size, composition objective and include bodies such as the International Olympic Commission (IOC), the Committee for nuclear disarmament, the International Federation of Air line Pilots Association, International Rescue Committee (IRC), International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) , The International Chamber of commerce, and the World Federation of true Union. [3]

 

In the least developed countries like Africa, both the income and non- income aspect of poverty is pervasive due to problem stretching from bad governance and mismanagement, poor economic growth, unemployment and underemployment, lake of access to social services, low level of investment, high degree of in debtness and many others. The above, mentioned views are buttressed by Santiago (1973), thus “the third world, with 77% of the population, subsists on only 22% of the world income and even this population in abject poverty [4]

 

Nevertheless, most of the LDCs have formulated policies and strategies for poverty reduction in their development plans supported and financed by international organizations. These policies empowered NGOs to operate in these countries.

 

NGOs have an overall appraisal for their works in the Third World and sub-Saharan Africa as a whole. The roles played by NGOs in the development process for poverty alleviation are diverse in nature raging from relief, capacity building, environmental issues, human rights, policy making, advocacies for increased transparency and good governance, advocate and give voice to the opinions of vulnerable and the marginalized groups especially youths and woman who are the most affected and more prominent clients of poverty, help ensure projects are implemented and that they reach the targeted beneficiaries, seek for continuity needs in development, bridge the gap between the rich and poor etc.

 

Since the 1980 decade, there has been a considerable growth in numbers and influence of NGOs engagement in poverty-alleviation and development process in Africa (Riddell, 1992, 17). The increasing growth in numbers, influence and importance roles of these NGOs in the 1980s, make Alan Fowler, to suggest that the 1980s be termed the 'development decade of NGOs' (Fowler, 1988, 1). Obviously, the entrance by NGOs into the development debate and practice is as a result of a particular development approach demonstrated by their activities. In their more traditional activities i.e. emergency relief and welfare, it is said that NGOs demonstrated their value in their capacity to respond rapidly to poverty alleviation programmes in Sub-Saharan Africa. Today NGOs work contributes to the relief of poverty, as well as undermining the struggle of African people to emancipate them from economic, social and political oppression.#p#分頁標題#e#

 

OJECTIVES:

 

Provide insight on the roles of NGOs in alleviating poverty in Su-Saharan Africa.

 

Analyze the relationship between NGOs and the Government one hand, and their traditional donors on the other hand.

 

Discuss the challenges faced in the implementation of poverty alleviation projects and make recommendations as to how they can overcome their obstacles.

 

METHODOLOGY

 

This researcher due to time limitation, and with regards to the objective of this work, researcher will be assessing information gathered from secondary sources/data in order to produce the required and desired result. The study consists of a desk research method. The desk study consisted of a literature review of existing reports and works of institutionalized organization like World Bank, Sierra Leone Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Statistic Sierra Leone, UNDP, FAO1991, The United Nations Agencies, African Development Bank, Catholic Relief Services, Caritas and other Statistical agencies with regards to the topic of the study.

 

. Studies have been undertaken by Development workers, social workers, economics, theorists, and other set of humanity in an effort to explain the issues of poverty and the roles of NGOs, NGOs relationship and its effect on poverty alleviation. Some NGOs who examples will be base on like Caritas for instance has also written articles, published seminar papers, magazines, workshop reports, documentation and journal on their activities and all these will consulted and used.

 

The researcher opted to integrate the qualitative and quantitative approach in this study due to its significant advantages. The use of qualitative and quantitative methods of data presentation is of great advantage, as they are more open to changes and refinement of research ideas as the study progresses; this implies that qualitative data gathering tools are highly flexible.

 

TOOLS OF ANALYSIS

 

Some tool will be used within the process of discussion.

 

Tables, Charts, Averages and Percentages will be used to analysis and present the data.

 

1.3.0 PROBLEM

 

Poverty is a situation which renders communities and individuals ineffective, passive an isolated, thereby reducing the ability of people to participate in the normal lives of their communities resulting to deprivation which is characterized by lack of income rather than the low income itself.

 

This poverty epidemic is very widespread in Black Africa. It penetrates all sectors of our society and at the same time arrests development. Poverty is the major hurdle and impediments of developmental aspirations and strides in the third world which Sierra Leone is an integral component.#p#分頁標題#e#

 

1.4.0. SIGNIFICANCE /PURPOSE OF STUDY

 

It is correct to say that African countries are dying, but it should be noted that Sub- Saharan countries are closer to death because of the existing pandemic that has entirely destroyed these countries. This deadly disease “poverty” which was not discover until the 1960s has today rendered society impotent and incompetent and less important in the world despite its richness in mineral and natural resources. It has caused a pervasive malaise. So poverty is the issue and how do we solve this issue? Ask NGOs.

 

A good number of NGOs are operating in Sub-Saharan Africa in many fields of human endeavor. Since Sub-Saharan countries are major clients of poverty, NGOs activities in these countries range from relief, rehabilitation, reconstruction, development, capacity building, ensure good governance, empowerment programmes and the like.

 

Though NGOs have been engaged in poverty alleviation in Sub-Saharan Africa and studies have been done on their roles and relationships with government and donors, a precise analysis on the challenges and obstacles have not been adequately discussed. The main thrust of this work is to analyze NGOs in poverty alleviation, their roles, relationship between government and donors, and also analyze some of the challenges and obstacles facing their work in Sub-Saharan Africa.

 

A study of this nature focusing on NGOs, roles and relationship toward poverty alleviation, deal with the situation of poverty which is causing pervasive malaise in the Countries found in “black Africa” and particularly for the rural and urban rural areas who are constantly striving for daily living.

 

In Sub-Saharan Africa as whole per-capita incomes dropped by 21% in real terms between 1981 and 1989.1 Madagascar and Mali now have per capita incomes of $799 and $753 down from $1,258 and $898 25 years ago. In 16 other Sub-Saharan countries per capita incomes were also lower in 1999 than in 1975.

 

Nearly one quarter of the world's population, but nearly 42% of the population of sub-Saharan Africa, live on less than $1 a day. In Sierra Leone for example , with a population 4.5 million people, about 75.5% of the county’s total population live below the poverty line less than one United States dollar (UA$1) per day”

 

Levels of inequality, high literacy rate, high unemployment rate, high infant mortality and high maternal death have also increased Sub-Saharan countries, even though is a worldwide issue. In 1960 the average income of the top 20%of the world's population was 30 times that of the bottom 20%. By 1990 it was 60 times, and by 1997, 74 times that of the lowest fifth. Today “the assets of the top three billionaires are more than the combined GNP of all least developed countries and their 600 million people”. From the above it thus clear while countries in Sub-Saharan in alarming. The level at which poverty is alarming calls for international intervention which bring s about NGOs in to development realm.#p#分頁標題#e#

 

A thorough scrutiny of their efforts and results would establish the level and type and degree of the impact on the beneficiaries

 

1.5.0 JUSTIFICATION

 

Similar research works have been undertaken in various parts of the country, and at various quarters to investigate the role played by NGOs in complementing and fulfilling Government’s efforts in its stride to help improve the welfare of the citizens.

 

However, many campaigns, talks and surveys have proved right that NGOs are indeed playing crucial roles in human activities and have had some degrees of successes in obtaining the objectives. Example of such NGOs include: The International Red Cross, International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, The World Vision, Catholic Relief Service, United Nations Development Programmes, Africare, UNICEF, Notre-Dame, United Nations Fund for Population, United Nations, Save the Children, ARC International ,World Food Programme, and the like.

 

Hence, it is important for a survey like this to be conducted to see the roles play by NGOs, their relationship, and challenges toward alleviate poverty black Africa.

 

In Black Africa, like in any other third world countries, poverty is a complete rural phenomenon. Survey undertaking by various quarters, groups, researchers, civil societies, government sectors have shown that poverty is very alarming. To add an addendum to this point, for instance, the Central Statistics Office now known as Statistic Sierra Leone, (SCOSHEHEA 1989-1990), explain thus: Eastern Province about 26.4%of the population is poor, Northern Province 35.3%, Western Area 15.9% and the SouthernProvince22.3%.

 

Poverty is manifested in the following activities, some single parent family begging in streets, increase in commercial sex work, and an increase in the number of early marriage and pregnancy, high rate of inflation, massive unemployment of Youth etc.

 

The study seeks to highlight the important role played by NGOs in alleviating poverty Sub-Saharan Africa. It will also serve as a basis for now and future projection in the allocation of resource for development program

 

Lastly, with the completion of the research work, it can be of good source of information for future researchers, who may wish to further investigate the role NGOs play in poverty alleviations.

 

1.6.0 THESI QUESTION

 

The NGOs as major actors in poverty alleviation drive in Sub-Saharan African countries, are been appraised for effective work. They intervene in areas were government put less premium. But it is clear that there are lapses within their role and relationship and the researcher seek to analyze

 

What is the strength and weakness of NGOs relationship with government on one hand and their donor partners on the other hand?#p#分頁標題#e#

 

What are the major storming blocks facing NGOs and how have they been able to address the obstacles, if they have not, then what and how can be done so to overcome the challenges?

 

1.7.0 Limitation

 

The limitations of this work vary from time resource and funding.

 

It is clear that out of sight is out of mind .Researcher is faced with the difficulty of gathering information thanks to “Google” who has allowed students to utilize its resources with any cost The university library is equipped for certain subjects but not all and even those that are available 80% is in Chinese and researcher always have difficulties of accessing materials relevant to the subject matter because of the barrier in language. A research work of such nature requires field work but this cannot be done because of lack of fund. Therefore, researcher decided to base her research work on descriptive method from secondary sources rather than getting firsthand information. Most of the people consulted and selected to answer questions with regard to their sectors where field workers and are often out in the field. The unwillingness of the respondents to respond to certain questions especially those directed to issues related to finances.

 

Another constraint imposed by this study has been the absence of proper and up-to-date records, and most answers given by respondents were not substantiated by records. Also, the lack of modern technology in the region gave research tuff time to gather information.

 

1.8.0 LITERATURE REVIEW

 

Many writers have long started research works on the issue of poverty and NGOs roles. For the purpose of this thesis, researcher reviewed the works done by other researchers relating to the subject matter. It should be noted that the researcher’s literature review is based on the development programmes undertaking by NGOs toward poverty alleviation, which include: micro-finance, empowerment, capacity building, self-reliance and other areas of developments.

 

NGOs are professionally-staffed organizations aiming at contributing to the reduction of human suffering and to the development of poor countries (Streeten 1997). The various means through which this goal can be achieve is by the following ways: e.g. by funding projects, engaging in service provision and capacity building, contributing to awareness, and promoting the self-organization of various groups (Baccaro 2001). Meanwhile,

 

Desai (2005) has mentioned that NGOs have an important role to play in supporting women, men and households, and expected that they can meet the welfare. She accounted some role and functions for NGOs, such as counseling and support service, awareness raising and advocacy, legal aid and microfinance. These services help the people to achieve their ability, skill and knowledge, and take control over their own lives and finally become empowered.#p#分頁標題#e#

 

On the other hand, Strom quits (2002) has noted three major functions for NGOs such as (1) service delivery (e.g. relief, welfare, basic skills); (2) educational provision (e.g. basic skills and often critical analysis of social environments); and (3) public policy advocacy. Baccaro (2001) shows how particular NGOs can promote the organization and “empowerment” of the poor, particularly poor women, through a combination of micro-credit, awareness-raising, training for group members, and other social services. Empowerment is the ability of individuals to gain control socially, politically, economically and psychologically through (1) access to information, knowledge and skills; (2) decision making; and (3) individual self-efficacy, community participation, and perceived control (Rappaport 1987; Zimmerman and Rappaport 1988).

 

In the long term, the aim of NGOs is to promote sustainable community development through activities that promote capacity building and self-reliance. Langran (2002) has mentioned that NGOs through capacity building help to sustain community development. NGOs are often created in order to expand the capacities of people (Korten 1990).

 

Furthermore, NGOs are praised for promoting community self-reliance and empowerment through supporting community-based groups and relying on participatory processes (Korten 1990;

 

Clark 1991; Friedmann 1992; Fowler 1993; Edwards and Hulme 1994; Salamon 1994) .

 

On the other hand, sustainable development has emerged over the past few decades as an important paradigm for community development.

 

However, as Bradshaw and Winn (2000) have noted, sustainability is rooted largely in an environmental approach, particularly in the industrialized countries. But, the goal of sustainable development is to find a balance between three pillars - social, economic and environmental – of communities (Sneddon 2000). The Rio Conference interpreted sustainable development as a single process with three dimensions. In addition, the

 

Johannesburg Plan of Implementation defined it as three distinct processes, of “economic development, social development and environmental protection— as interdependent and mutually reinforcing pillars” (United Nations 2002). These dimensions were originally introduced with the aim of identifying areas in which social, economic and environmental goals are interrelated (Holmberg and Sand brook 1992). However, these dimensions of sustainable development have done little to reduce the complexity of the concept and has itself introduced a contradiction. Hibbard and Tang (2004) in their study in Vietnam, have noted the importance of NGOs’ roles in sustainable community development. One of the roles was that NGOs balance the social, economic and environmental factors in promoting sustainable development. Another important role of NGO that they discovered was decentralization of the central government which helps the local communities to acquire more power in order to make their own decisions.#p#分頁標題#e#

 

But, sometimes the local communities lack specialists to do professional work and resources that are important for the particular projects. In this situation, NGO assists local staff with drafting sustainable development plans that are functional under the umbrella of a central government policy.

 

Finally, they concluded that sustainable community development is process-oriented, and it requires extensive community participation and relies on network to share resources, knowledge and expertise.

 

From the literatures, it could be summarized that NGOs play an important function in promoting sustainable community development. Sustainable community development emphasizes on a balance between environmental concerns and development objectives, while simultaneously enhancing local social relationships. Sustainable communities meet the economic needs of their residents, enhance and protect the environment, and promote more humane local societies (Bridger and Luloff 1997). As Bridger (1997) has mentioned, sustainable community development includes five dimensions. The first dimension emphasizes on increasing local economic diversity.

 

The second is self-reliance which entails the development of local markets, local production, local processing of previously imported goods, and greater cooperation among local economic entities. The third dimension involves a reduction in the use of energy, coupled with the careful management and recycling of waste products. The fourth dimension focuses on the protection and enhancement of biological diversity and careful stewardship of natural resources. Finally, the fifth dimension is related to the commitment of the sustainable communities to social justice.

 

Through the functions of providing microfinance, initiating capacity building and self -reliance, NGOs could promote empowerment among community members, and eventually community sustainable development.

 

NGOs FUNCTIONS AND SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FOR POVERTY ALLEVIATION

 

This section highlights NGOs, functions and the promotion of sustainable community development. Specifically, the discussions are on the functions related to provision of microfinance, initiation of community capacity building and self-reliance.

 

Eventually, sustainable community development will be achieved, particularly when community is empowered. The “bottom-top approach” in community development would likely bring about empowerment to the community and finally sustainable community development. According to

 

Finger (1994), the bottom-top approach emphasizes community participation, grassroots movements and local decision making. It argues that community participation and grassroots initiatives promote participatory decision making and local self-reliance (Panda 2007).In bottom-top approach, people are able to define their own problems and having ability and capacity to solve it through organizing and participating themselves.#p#分頁標題#e#

 

(A) MICROFINANCE AND SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

 

During the 1990s, scholars have increasingly referred to microfinance as an effective means of poverty reduction (Rekha 1995; Cerven and Ghazanfar 1999; Pankhurst and Johnston 1999). Oxaal and Baden (1997) . Mayoux (2000) and Cheston and Khan (2002) have pointed out the importance of microfinance in empowerment, particularly women empowerment. Microfinance is defined as efforts to improve the access to loans and to saving services for poor people (Shreiner2001). It is currently being promoted as a key development strategy for promoting poverty eradication and economic empowerment. It has

 

the potential to effectively address material poverty, the physical deprivation of goods and services and the income to attain them by granting financial services to households who are not supported by the formal banking sector

 

(Sheraton 2004). Microcredit programs provide small loans and savings opportunities to those who have traditionally been excluded from commercial financial services. As a development inclusion strategy, microfinance programs emphasize women’s economic contribution as a way to increase overall financial efficiency within national economies.

 

According to Cheston and Khan (2002), one of the most popular forms of economic empowerment for women is microfinance, which provides credit for poor women who are usually excluded from formal credit institutions. Since the 1990s, microfinance institutions have addressed the issues of sustainability, participation and empowerment.

 

These issues have been research-ed and debated by donor agencies, NGOs, feminists, and activists (Johnson and Rogaly 1997; Razavi 1997; Kabeer 1999; Mayoux 2001; Mahmud 2003).

 

However, underneath these shared concerns lie three fundamentally different approaches to microfinance: financial sustainability, feminist empowerment, and poverty alleviation. All three microfinance approaches have different goals coupled with varied perspectives on how to incorporate gender into microfinance policy and programs (Mayoux 2000).

 

The microfinance empowers women by putting capital in their hands and allowing them to earn an independent income and contribute financially to their households and communities.

 

This economic empowerment is expected to generate increased self-esteem, respect, and other forms of empowerment for women beneficiaries.

 

Some evidence show that microfinance would empower women in some domains such as increased participation in decision making, more equitable status of women in the family and community, increased political power and rights, and increased self-esteem (Cheston and Kuhn

 

2002). Well-being as an output of microfinance not only covers the economic indicators, but also other indicators such as community education, environment, recreation and accessibility to social services. It is related to the quality of life (Asnarulkhadi 2002). In order to gain economic sustainability, NGOs through microfinance help the communities to reduce poverty, create jobs, and promote income generation. In the developing countries, sustainability is linked more closely to issues of poverty and the gross inequalities of power and resources (Hamnett and Hassan 2003).#p#分頁標題#e#

 

This is due to the fact that in the Third World countries like sub-Saharan Africa , the ecological system sometimes conflicts with the socio-economic needs of local people who depend on a local ecosystem for their survival (Nygren 2000). In contrast, in the developed countries, as Bradshaw and Winn (2000) have noted, more priority is given on environmental aspect of sustainable development. In these countries, since the wealth of the nation and of most individuals has reached a certain level, therefore sustainability has been fueled primarily

 

by concern for such issues as climate change, biodiversity, the deprivation of the natural environment, and the over-consumption of natural resources -especially non-renewable (Hibbard and Chuntang 2004).

 

(B) CAPACITY BUILDING AND SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

 

As mentioned earlier, capacity building is another NGO’s strategy that helps to bring about sustainable community development. Capacity building is an approach to development that builds independence. It can be: A ‘means to an end’, where the purpose is for others to take on programs.

 

An ‘end’ in itself, where the intent is to enable others, from individuals through to government departments, to have greater capacity to work together to solve problems A process, where capacity building strategies are routinely incorporated as an important element of effective practice (NSW Health 2001).

 

Before beginning to build capacity within programs, practitioners need to identify pre-existing capacities such as skills, structures, partnerships and resources. Frankish (2003) has counted a number of dimensions for community capacity including financial capacity (resources, opportunities and knowledge), human resources (skills, motivations, confidence, and relational abilities and trust) and social resources (networks, participation structures, shared trust and bonding).

 

UNDP (1997) has introduced capacity building as the process by which individuals, groups, and organizations increase their abilities to (1) perform core functions, solve problems, define and achieve objectives; and (2) understand and deal with their development needs in a broad context and in a sustainable manner. Furthermore, in terms of NGOs’ functions, Langran (2002) has defined capacity building as the ability of one group (NGOs) to strengthen the development abilities of another group (local communities) through education, skill training and organizational support.

 

Capacity building is an approach to development not a set of pre-determined activities. There is no single way to build capacity. Although experience tells us that there is a need to work across the key action areas, practitioners approach each situation separately to identify pre-existing capacities and develop strategies particular to a program or organization, in its time and place. NGOs, through the provision of education, skill and knowledge, develop the capacity of community towards achieving sustainable development. In fact, NGOs act as a capacity builder to help the communities to develop the resources, building awareness, motivating to participation in project and finally improving the quality of community’s lives.#p#分頁標題#e#

 

(C) SELF-RELIANCE AND SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

 

Self-reliance is another strategy that affects sustainable community development. Effective community development sits on the foundation of self-reliance. The concept of self-reliance is strategically situated within the essence of community development and is related to other concepts like mutual-help, self-help, participation of the indigenous people and rural progress. Selfreliance encourages the necessity for people to use local initiatives, their abilities and their own possessions to improve their condition. Fonchingong and Fonjong (2002) have pointed out that self-reliance is increasingly being adopted as modus operandi for community development.

 

According to Kelly (1992), self-reliance means that the people rely on their own resources and are independent of funds sourced outside the community. Self-reliant strategy relies on the willingness and ability of the local people to depend on their own available resources and technology which they can control and manage.

 

A self-reliant strategy requires the optional use of all available human, natural and technological resources (Agere 1982). Although dependence on the state maybe desirable in the short term, it should not be a long term objective, because the aim of the community development must ultimately be self-reliance. Reliance on external resources will lead to the loss of autonomy and independence of the community. On the other hand, autonomous communities can flourish only in the absence of such external dependency. Therefore, to attain self-reliance, community

 

workers (e.g. NGOs) and community groups must discover their own potential and look for ways to innovatively develop such discovered potential to use as sources of wealth for the development of the community (Ife and Tesoriero 2006). Motivating and mobilizing people to be selfreliant and to participate in development activities become an important objective of the NGOs.

 

According to Korten (1990), the second strategy of the NGOs focuses on developing the capacities of the people to better meet their own needs through self-reliant local action. In the second generation strategy, Korten (1990), mentioned that the local inertia is the heart of problem in a village or community. There is a potential energy in a community but remains inactive because of the inertia of tradition, isolation and lack of education.

 

But this inertia can be broken through the intervention of an outside change agent (NGOs and other agents) who helps the community realize its potentials through education, organization, consciousness raising, small loans and the introduction of simple new technologies. It is the stress on local self-reliance, with the intent that benefits will be sustained by community self-help action beyond the period of NGO assistance (Korten 1990). Therefore, NGOs, through the strategy of self-reliance, can facilitate sustainable development of the community.#p#分頁標題#e#

 

SUMMARY OF REVIEW

 

The literature established the important roles played by of NGOs in achieving sustainable community development through micro-finance, capacity building and self-reliance all aiming at poverty alleviation. NGOs through the micro-finance help members of community to access jobs, income-generation and improve economic situation there by alleviating poverty from the poor. And then they would become empowered economically. On the other hand, NGOs develop the capacities of community such as skills, abilities, knowledge, assets and motivates the community to participate in the project to improve the quality of their lives. NGOs act as capacity builders that help the community to achieve the empowerment particularly individual empowerment.

 

Since the philosophy of community development is independent from any outside agents, thus the community must rely on their own resources. NGOs assist the community to discover their potentials and also mobilize community to be self-reliant. According to the definition, empowerment is where people have greater control over livelihood resources. Therefore, the final outcome of community development is the independence of the community from external agents in formulating its agenda and managing its affairs. This process involves capacity building, where people get involved in human capital training, transferring of authority from donor to recipient and receive supports from stakeholders (World Bank group 1999). When people become fully empowered, they are able to contribute toward sustainable development (Lyons et al.

 

2001). Capacity building and empowerment are the best means to achieve sustainable community development. Therefore, NGOs through some programs and functions, such as microfinance, capacity building and self-reliance help community to be empowered, and finally contribute towards sustainable community development.

 

1.9.0 ORGANISATION OF WORK

 

Chapter one deals with thesis proposal that is, background which explain Poverty Globally, Justification, Problem, Significance research, Statement of the problem, Aim and Objectives, Hypothesis, Scope, Limitation ,Methodology, and organization of work and Literature Review. Chapter Two will discuss the theoretical frame work using the Institutionalist approach. Chapter Three will analyze NGOs activities and roles in poverty alleviation in Sub-Saharan Africa with case study of caritas in Sierra Leone.

 

Chapter Four discuss and analyze the relationship between NGOs and the Government, as it relates to policy on one hand and between NGOs and their donors relating to funding on the other side. This chapter will further discuss the achievements and failures in the relationship. Chapter four discuss the challenges and obstacles facing NGOs in the implementation of poverty alleviation projects Sub-Saharan Africa in and make recommendations as to how they can overcome their obstacles. Chapter Five discuss future prospect including policy recommendation.#p#分頁標題#e#