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COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT PROJECTS AND POVERTY

ALLEVIATION IN GICUMBI DISTRICT, RWANDA

CASE STUDY: GENOCIDE SURVIVORS

BY

HABIMANA THEOGENE

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2016

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ABSTRACT

Although community empowering projects are increasing in the Least Developed Countries

(LDCs), most LDCs are characterized by the large number of poor people, identified as those

living on less than US$ 2 a day. This study is entitled the role of community empowerment

projects on poverty alleviation in Rwanda. The general objective of the study was to analyze

the effect of community empowerment projects on poverty alleviation in Gicumbi District.

Specific Objectives were to find out the benefits of community empowerment projects in

Gicumbi District; to assess the strategies used by Government to increase community capacity

building in Rwanda; and to analyze the barriers related to community empowerment projects

in Rwanda. This study adopted descriptive design to get results expected from this study. The

researcher targeted a population of 200 people, the 67 respondents (beneficiaries) were selected

from 200 beneficiaries of the project using systematic random sampling method.

Questionnaires and interview were used to collect primary data in this study. The study

recommended that community empowerment projects should be strengthened and should

expand their support to resource poor rural areas; strategies to combat the lack of empowerment

must be addressed not only the immediate need of poor rural areas but must also focus on the

root cause of rural area’s powerlessness as this study indicated.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

ABSTRACT .............................................................................................................................. ii

TABLE OF CONTENTS ......................................................................................................... iii

LIST OF FIGURES .................................................................................................................. v

LIST OF ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS ................................................................ vi

DEFINITION OF KEY TERMS ............................................................................................ vii

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................... 1

1.0 Background Information ................................................................................................. 1

1.1 Statement of the Problem ................................................................................................ 3

1.3 Objectives of the Study ................................................................................................... 4

1.3.1 General Objective ......................................................................................................... 4

1.3.2 Specific Objectives ....................................................................................................... 4

1.4 Research Questions ......................................................................................................... 4

1.5 Scope of the Study........................................................................................................... 5

CHAPTER TWO: REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE .................................................. 6

2.0 Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 6

2.1 Related studies................................................................................................................. 6

2.2 Conceptual Framework ................................................................................................... 8

CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY ......................................................... 11

3.0 Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 11

3.1 Research Design................................................................................................................ 11

3.2 Target Population .............................................................................................................. 11

3.3 Sample Design .................................................................................................................. 11

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3.3.1 Sample Size .................................................................................................................... 12

3.3.2 Sampling Techniques ..................................................................................................... 12

3.4 Data Collection Methods .................................................................................................. 12

3.4.1 Data Collection Instruments .......................................................................................... 13

3.4.2 Administration of Research Instruments ....................................................................... 13

3.4.3. Validity and Reliability ................................................................................................. 13

3.5. Data analysis Procedures ................................................................................................. 14

3.6 Ethical Considerations ...................................................................................................... 14

CHAPTER FOUR: SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS .......... 15

4.0 Introduction ................................................................................................................... 15

4.1 Summary of Findings .................................................................................................... 15

4.1.1 The benefits of community empowerment projects in Rwanda ................................ 15

4.1.2 The strategies used by Government to increase community capacity building in

Gicumbi District .................................................................................................................. 16

4.1.3 The barriers related to community empowerment projects in Rwanda .................... 16

4.2 Conclusion ..................................................................................................................... 17

4.3 Recommendations. ........................................................................................................ 18

4.4 Suggestions for Further Study ....................................................................................... 18

REFERENCES ....................................................................................................................... 19

Appendix one: Questionnaire addressed to the beneficiaries ............................................... 29

Appendix two: Interview addressed to the District staff ...................................................... 34

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LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 2.1: Conceptual Framework .......................................................................................... 9

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LIST OF ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

CBFM : Community based forest management

CD : Community Development

IMF International Monetary Funds

LDC: Least Developed Countries

NGO : Non-Governmental Organization

PEI : Poverty-Environment Initiative

PEI : Poverty-Environment Initiative

RWF Rwandan francs

UK: United Kingdom

UN: United Nations

UNDP: United Nations Development Program

UNEP United Nations Environmental Program

UNICEF : The United Nations Children's Fund

UNRISD: United Nations Research Institute on Social Development

USAID : United States Agency for International Development

VUP : Vision 2020 Umurenge Program

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DEFINITION OF KEY TERMS

Poverty alleviation: The poverty reduction is the process of social and economic development

in a society. Poverty reduction is measured with indicators such as GDP, life expectancy,

literacy and level of employment.

Project: A project is temporary activity in that it has a defined beginning and end time, and

therefore defined scope and resources. A project is unique in that it is not a routine operation,

but a specific set of operations designed to accomplish a singular goal. So a project team often

includes people who don’t usually work together.

Access to resources: It is the opportunity to make use of something/resources for a larger gain.

Income: Money that an individual or business receives in exchange for providing a good or

service or through investing capital. Money received, especially on a regular basis, for work

or through investments.

Community empowerment: Refers to the process of enabling communities to increase

Control over their lives." Communities" are groups of people that may or may not be spatially

connected, but who share common interests, concerns or identities.

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CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

1.0 Background Information

In Africa and especially in the sub – Rwanda, development has been taking place at a slow

rate. This has been basically because African nations are faced with the problem of poverty.

Rwanda is one of the poorest countries not only in Africa but also in the whole world. Rwanda

has an area of 26 338 Km2 with a population over 11 million which increases at a rate of 2.9

annually and 56, 9% of its population is living below the poverty line. The remains, to be too

high, but can be attributed to the legacy of its recent history, years of economic decline and

governance (Ministry of Trade and industry, 2009).

In Rwanda, socioeconomic integration still need to be improved and need to be strengthen and

sustained so that whatever is being given to the historically marginalized people. Some clans

in Rwanda may still be facing ongoing poverty, segregation, unemployment and poor access

to education and health care (Economic Development And Poverty Reduction Strategy, 2013).

However some decisions were made by the different succession Governments in Rwanda to

fight against discrimination, poverty and integrate this historically marginalized group in the

Rwandan community. According to the National Social Protection Strategy, a number of

categories of the population are particularly vulnerable to poverty but historically marginalized

people are believed to experience higher levels of poverty and worse social indicators than the

general population. Rwanda has made great strides since the genocide in 1994. There is a need

of political stability and a strong political will to develop the country economically and

socially.

The colonial and post-colonial periods in Rwanda were characterized by authoritative regimes

and bad economic activities and social well-being. The consequence of the political and

administrative history was the cataclysmic genocide by 1994 a genocide planned and

effectively executed by the communities and agents of the state. The 1994 genocide worsened

poverty the more. Poverty in Rwanda is a complex phenomenon that is characterized by the

double impact of inherent structural problems that date back over the last 30 years and the

effect of the genocide in 1994. The poverty reduction and growth strategy strengthened by

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Rwanda authorities need to address the underlying structural poverty and the more

recent poverty characteristics arising out of the genocide of 1994 and thus the definition and

coverage of priority program areas for poverty reduction needs to be expanded beyond the

social sector spending on health and education to include other key economic sectors like

agriculture ,road infrastructure and therefore mainstreaming women in it whereas it ensures

that budget allocations and activities are adequately focused in these key sub-sectors

(Government of Rwanda, 2013).

As a way forward, the government of national unity has set up national poverty reduction

program, the national policy of Rwandan government is to empower government and non-

government project all needed so that to reduce as quickly as possible poverty by bringing the

population to participate in the different projects programs. Practical governance is more than

just a way to manage the interrelations within a public. However, the policy remained more of

a theory and not practiced well. Therefore, the planning and implementation of project recall

others process needed by beneficiaries but difficult to detect its important. In the goal of

straightening the different consequences of the Genocide of 1994 in the different domains of

development of the country, the Government of the unit and reconciliation of the Rwandan put

on in May 19, 1994 by the FPR political party that had just saved the Rwandan to the Genocide

planners in collaboration with the other political parties that were in Rwanda but did not have

any role in Genocide, several efforts are join in order to raise the economy of the country in

decadence Thus, several international organisms came to support the Government (Ministry

of Finance and Economic Planning, 2014)

The Non-Profit Associations, international and local NGO have intervened with visions and

differing missions but all aiming to rebuild Rwanda. Therefore, is in this framework that

several feminine associations were created by the women themselves, well heard as principal

profitable the woman, with the intention of to support the Government in the social economic

development promotion of the covered community of conflicts for the purpose of reducing the

rate of poverty Non- Government Projects is one of the strategies intended to reduce poverty

by improving the quality of production and life of people in the country, promoting the good

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utilization of resources and enhance creativity, innovatively of the people in the determination

of their economies and social well-being.

Learning to the success of Non-Government Projects in countries like china, united states of

America and among other countries where it led to the creation revenue earned by people per

year, it is important to find out what it can achieve for them (Angela, 2011). After Genocide

of Tutsi in 1994 in Rwanda, the big consequences were marked by a generalized poverty which

breadth the whole country had just been ruined on the Rwandan earth (Ministry of Finance and

Economic Planning, 2014). With the intention of to be able to face these problems, the

Government of Rwanda in collaboration with the international and local NGO the associations

of women have been created, among these NGO created after Genocide of 1994 one can quote

local NGO as follows: AVEGA Agahozo, Women for Women, Rwanda Women Network,

arct-ruhuka, DUHOZANYE, Icyuzuzo, Haguruka, etc. Even if these projects have been

created the level of poverty especially for those women and orphans genocide survivors is still

high.

1.1 Statement of the Problem

Inequity and power imbalances, adverse employment conditions and the lack of economic

opportunities or control over assets are all manifestations of peoples’ disempowerment and

contribute to their poverty, where At least 80% of humanity lives on less than $10 a day and

75% of the world’s poorest countries are located in Africa where Rwanda is located (Hidayat,

Takash & Ken, 2011).The main problems faced by Rwanda include, insufficient

accountability, lack of managerial skills, lack of access to financial resources, and the main

solution of this may be community empowerment (Hidayat, Takash& Ken, 2011). Although

community empowering projects are increasing in Rwanda, most of people are characterized

by the large number of poor people, identified as those living on less than US$ 2 a day. For

instance, in the period 1995-1999, for which data is available, 81 per cent of the population

lived on less than US$ 2 a day, while 50 per cent lived in extreme poverty, such as less than

US$ 1 a day (Binger, 2004). Several studies suggested different mechanisms that should be

used for poverty alleviation, the rate of population under poverty line is still high especially in

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rural areas of Rwanda. Moreover, although the community empowerment project were

established in Gicumbi; according to National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (2011) in

Gicumbi District, 50.7% of the population was identified as non-poor, 15.4% as poor and

33.9% as extremely poor, where these population is young genocide survivors dominated.

The report done by Governemnt of Rwanda indicated that economy has grown, the share of

children receiving education has increased. However, the country still struggles with high

levels of poverty and was ranked number 166 out of 179 countries on the UNDP HDI for 2013

(UNDP Report , 2013). It is estimated that in a population of over 11 million, around 77% are

still characterized as very poor (Economic Development And Poverty Reduction Strategy,

2013). Though one no longer refers to ethnic groups in Rwanda, there is a group of people in

society who are more marginalized with fewer opportunities than the rest of the

population.Hence, the researcher has been motivated to carry out this study in Gicumbi.

District.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

1.3.1 General Objective

The general objective of the study was to analyze the effect of community empowerment

projects on poverty alleviation in Gicumbi District.

1.3.2 Specific Objectives

i. To find out the benefits of community empowerment projects in Gicumbi District;

ii. To assess the strategies used by Government to increase community capacity building

in Rwanda;

iii. To analyze the barriers related to community empowerment projects in Rwanda

1.4 Research Questions

i. Is there any benefits of community empowerment projects in Gicumbi District?

ii. What are the strategies used by Government to increase community capacity building

in Gicumbi District?

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iii. What are the barriers related to community empowerment projects in Rwanda?

1.5 Scope of the Study

This study was conducted in Gicumbi District, Northern Province of Rwanda. The study

focused on community empowerment and poverty alleviation, especially on genocide

survivors in Gicumbi. The researcher chose this field because many community empowerment

projects still fail, while the government spends a lot of money on implementing them. This

research focused on the period of 2008 up to 2015.

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CHAPTER TWO: REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

2.0 Introduction

This chapter reviews necessary literature related to community empowerment and poverty

alleviation. This chapter consists of introduction to the chapter, conceptual framework, related

studies & gap identification, and lastly summary of the literature.

2.1 Related studies

There are various attempts in the literature to develop a comprehensive understanding of

empowerment through breaking the process down into key components. The frameworks

suggest by various authors suggests that women‘s empowerment needs to occur along the

following dimensions: economic, socio-cultural, familial/interpersonal, legal, political, and

psychological. However, these dimensions are very broad in scope, and within each dimension,

there is a range of sub-domains within which women may be empowered. So, for example, the

socio-cultural‖ dimension covers a range of empowerment sub-domains, from marriage

systems to norms regarding women‘s physical mobility, to non-familial social support systems

and networks available to women. Moreover, in order to operationalize these dimensions, one

should consider indicators at various levels of social aggregation the household and the

community, as well as regional, national, and even global levels. Plenty of research work has

been carried out at national as well as international level covering multidimensional nature of

women empowerment. Following are some reviews of significant studies.

The study of Philip and Abdillahi (2003) analyzed the role of popular participation and

community work ethic in rural development: the case of Nandi District. Their research found

that popular participation has a strong impact on development, but their research did not

establish strategies that increase community empowerment. Sango,Jane,Mike and Yam (2006)

analyzed on reducing poverty through community based forest management in Asia as part of

recent years have seen a growing interest in the role and potential of community based forest

management (CBFM) as a vehicle for poverty reduction. The aim of this study was to look that

if CBFM had the potential to help the poor cope with or even begin to move out of poverty.

Even if Sango,Jane,Mike and Yam (2006) carried out their useful study, they did not establish

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the contribution of access to resources to poverty alleviation using Pearson correlation

coefficient.

Olatunji (2009) analyzed poverty alleviation and democratic governance in Africa case study

Nigeria the purpose of this study was to examine the interface between poverty and democracy

in Africa, putting our searchlight mainly on ways poverty can be alleviated through and by

governance, especially governments with democratic coating or appellation. Even if Olatunji

(2009) carried out his study, he did not use correlational coefficient to establish the influence

of leadership on poverty alleviation in the country under study.

Thiam (2011) carried out the Renewable energy, poverty alleviation and developing nations:

Evidence from Senegal, the objective of this study was to show how resorting to renewable

technology could allow the attainment of the MDGs by facilitating energy access in remote

rural areas in Senegal. Even if Thiam (2011)carried out a paramount study, he did not use both

primary and seconadry sources to confirm the contribution of resource management to the

socio-economic development of rural areas in Senegal. Ogundele,Waidi& Hammed (2012)

analyzed entrepreneurship training and education as strategic tools for poverty reduction, the

main objective of the study was to investigate the intensity of entrepreneurship training and

education as strategic tools for poverty alleviation in Nigeria. Even if Hammed (2012) did

these studies, he did not analyze the main challenges that caused the failure of the skills based

on training using both qualitative and quantitative methods.

Mohummed & Wencong(2013) carried out the Micro-Credit and Poverty reduction a case

study Bangladesh in (2009-2010), the main purpose of this study was to give an overview

about access to micro-credit for rural poor and its impact on their poverty situation and relevant

factors related to income of the micro-credit recipients. Even ifMohummed &

Wencong(2013)carried out their study, they did not used correlational coefficient to establish

the influence of income generating projecton poverty reduction in the country under

study.Muhammad, Lums & Lahore (2013) carried out study on poverty alleviation in Pakistan,

the purpose of this study was to analyze whether poverty alleviation programs can really

empower community in the context of Pakistan.

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Sango et al.,(2006) in their study in Asia, they did not establish the contribution of access to

resources to poverty alleviation using Pearson correlation coefficient. Olatunji (2009) analyzed

poverty alleviation and democratic governance in Africa case study Nigeria, he did not used

correlational coefficient to establish the influence of leadership on poverty alleviation In the

country under study.Thiam (2011) inhis study of renewable energy, poverty alleviation and

developing nation she did not use both primary and seconadry sources to confirm the

contribution of resource management to the socio-economic development of rural areas in

Senegal. Hammed (2012). In his study foranalyzed entrepreneurship training and education as

strategic tools for poverty reduction he did not analyzed the main challenges cause the failure

of the skilles based on training using both qualitative and quantitative methods. Mohummed

& Wencong (2013) carried out the Micro-Credit and Poverty reduction a case study

Bangladesh in (2009-2010) but they did not used correlational coefficient to establish the

influence of income generating on poverty reduction in the country under study.Muhammad,

Lums & Lahore (2013) carried out poverty alleviation in Pakistan, they did not used

correlational coefficient to establish the relationship between empower women and poverty

alleviation in the country under study.

Even if Muhammad, Lums & Lahore (2013)carried out their study, they did not also used

correlational coefficient to establish the relationship between empower community and

poverty alleviation in the country under study. Hence, from the above critics the researcher

found a gap and needs to bridge it using this study. Therefore, from the above critics, the

researcher found a gap, whereby other researchers did not establish the relationship between

community empowerment and poverty alleviation in society using both primary and secondary

data. Hence, the researcher needs to bridge this gap using both quantitative and qualitative

approaches.

2.2 Conceptual Framework

This demonstrates the opportunities and activities community empowerment offer that have

bearing on poverty alleviation. It is expected that Community Empowerment and its associated

activities mentioned as independent variables, will allow community members to actively get

involved in project planning and implementation which will adversely promote effectiveness

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in project management. It should be noted however that, Community empowerment aims at

creating an environment in which community members will increase involvement in the

development of the project, which would ultimately lead to project sustainability after the

withdraw of external stakeholders. It is hoped that Community empowerment will bring closer

community members in the project activities which will ultimately lead to sustainable transfer

of resources to community ownership and control.

Figure 2.1: Conceptual Framework

Independent variable Dependent Variable

Community Empowerment Projects Poverty Alleviation

Source: Researcher developed

A conceptual framework is an analytical tool with several variations and contexts. It is used

to make conceptual distinctions and organize ideas. Strong conceptual frameworks capture

something real and do this in a way that is easy to remember and apply. The components of

variables under study are explained in the following paragraphs.

Financial resources: The money available to a business for spending in the form of cash,

liquid securities and credit lines. Before going into business, an entrepreneur needs to secure

sufficient financial resources in order to be able to operate efficiently and sufficiently well to

promote success. Therefore when project managers allow beneficiaries to have access to

financing, it cultivates more entrepreneurs to startup businesses thus reducing poverty levels.

Community participation: Community participation is a proven approach to addressing

health care issues, in projects varying from sanitation to child survival, clean water, and health

Skill based training

Access to resources

Community participation

Health improvement

Food security

Education access

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infrastructure. When the beneficiaries are involved in a project intended to benefit their

community, they are motivated to work hard and improve their lifestyle.

Skill based training: Skills-based training provides classroom environments where

independence, thinking skills, collaboration and active learning are developed at the same time

as knowledge is acquired. This tool is particularly important to the beneficiaries as they can

continue to use the skills for their own benefit even after the project has ended.

Health improvement: In this study health improvement is related to the minimization of any

disease or impairment. Health is also a state that allows the individual to adequately cope with

all demands of daily life (implying also the absence of disease and impairment). Lastly, health

is a state of balance, an equilibrium that an individual has established within himself and

between himself and his social and physical environment. Having access to healthcare facilities

is important in communities. When people are healthier and have health care facilities the

community has a better chance to thrive and work to reduce poverty.

Food security: Food security exists when all people, at all times, have physical and economic

access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and food preferences

for an active and healthy life. Food Security means that all people at all times have physical &

economic access to adequate amounts of nutritious, safe, and culturally appropriate foods,

which are produced in an environmentally sustainable and socially just manner, and that people

are able to make informed decisions about their food choices. Food is a basic necessity for any

human being and determines one’s health. People have more chances of thriving when they

have the necessary diet required for the human body to perform well and not become

vulnerable to diseases.

Education access: Access to education is the ability of all people to have equal opportunity

in education, regardless of their social class, gender, ethnicity background or physical and

mental disabilities. Having access to education is important in reducing poverty levels as

beneficiaries have more opportunities to improve their lives through employment after

completing their education.

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CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.0 Introduction

This chapter points out the research methodology and give a brief overview about the research

design; description of the research population and sampling procedures with inclusion and

exclusion criteria, as well as, the research instruments. It shows how the validity and the

reliability of the research instrument were controlled, and how data were gathered, managed

and analyzed.

3.1 Research Design

Creswell (1994) defines a research design as a detailed outline of how an investigation took

place. A research design has typically included how data is to be collected, what instruments

has been employed, how the instruments has been used and the intended means for analyzing

data collected. According to Burns and Grove (2003), descriptive research “is designed to

provide a picture of a situation as it naturally happens”. It may be used to justify current

practice and make judgment and also to develop theories. This study adopted descriptive

design to get results expected from this study. Thus, the research design mainly focused on

qualitative approach, but also quantitative approach was used.

3.2 Target Population

For the purpose of this work and empowerment projects in Gicumbi District, the researcher

targeted 200 most vulnerable genocide survivors. The researcher also used three staff for

interview, who did not need to mention their role in this study.

3.3 Sample Design

A sample is a smaller group obtained from accessible population. This group is carefully

selected so as to be representative of the whole population with relevant characteristics. The

study must consider a sample size that is within the cost constraint.

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3.3.1 Sample Size

This study needs to determine sample size related to the beneficiaries of the project, because

the research has limited time and cost. The researcher used Yamane formula to determine

sample size related to the population under study as follows;

𝑛 =𝑁

1 + 𝑁𝑒2=

200

1 + 200 ∗ 0.12 = 67

Where, N: Target population, e : Error of precision = 10%, and n = sample size

3.3.2 Sampling Techniques

The choice of sampling technique was based on the feasibility and sensibility of collecting data

to answer the research questions and to address the objectives. Quantitative researches usually

ensure sample representativeness using scientific, statistical and probabilities or random

sampling as quantitative research. 'Systematic Sampling' A type of probability sampling

method in which sample members from a larger population are selected according to a random

starting point and a fixed, periodic interval. The 67 respondents (beneficiaries) were selected

from 200 beneficiaries of the project who were genocide survivors using systematic random

sampling method, where every 3rd person on the list of beneficiaries was included in sample.

3.4 Data Collection Methods

Data collection is the process of gathering and measuring information on variables of interest,

in an established systematic fashion that enables one to answer stated research questions and

evaluate outcomes. The instruction not to indicate names enabled the respondents to provide

credible information. The action of collecting copies of completed questionnaires copies from

the respondents was done by the researcher. The researcher ensured that questionnaires were

designed in a systematic way that can enable collection of sufficiency data.

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3.4.1 Data Collection Instruments

The data collection instruments in this research were questionnaires and interview. These were

an instrument that consisted of a set of questions where a number of people who were asked to

answer so as to provide information.

3.4.2 Administration of Research Instruments

The researcher administered the instruments through face to face conduct with respondents

who were informed the purpose of the study and were requested to express their views on the

study topic. Appointments were made with active respondents on when best to have

questionnaires filled and picked.

3.4.3. Validity and Reliability

According to Nahid (2003) the extent to which results are consistent over time and an accurate

representation of the total population under study is referred to as reliability and if the results

of a study can be reproduced under a similar methodology, then the research instrument is

considered to be reliable. Validity determines whether the research truly measures that which

it was intended to measure or how truthful the research results are. Alpha was developed by

Lee Cronbach in 1951 to provide a measure of the internal consistency of a test or scale; it is

expressed as a number between 0 and 1. Internal consistency describes the extent to which all

the items in a test measure the same concept or construct (Mohsen & Reg, 2011).The reliability

was ensured by testing the instruments for the reliability of values (Alpha values) as

recommended by Cronbach coefficient. Cronbach recommends analysis for Alpha values for

each variable under study. Alpha values for each variable under study should not be less than

0.7 for the statements in the Instruments to be deemed reliable. Therefore, a pilot study was

done in order to test reliability and found that Cronbach was 0.848. The validity of the data

collection instruments was done with the help of experts and University supervisors to correct

the questionnaire.

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3.5. Data analysis Procedures

Before analyzing the data, errors were first identified and eliminated as much as possible in

order to enable the researcher to cross examine the relationship between the questions and the

corresponding responses so as to ensure accuracy, consistency, and uniformity. This was done

immediately after administering the questionnaires in order to guard against omission. The

data analysis was done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). After collecting

data, the researcher organized the questionnaire by numbering them for validation and

checking purpose. Questions were coded and data were entered into computer system.

Processed data were stored in form of tables and charts form which meaningful information

was produced. Quantitative data was presented into table form and frequencies. For qualitative

data, the researcher wrote them into paragraphs to explain the figures. The descriptive

statistical analysis was used to analyze responses made to each research question. The

frequency and percentage were used for respondent’s profile and other general information.

3.6 Ethical Considerations

During the research, the researcher kept the honesty and integrity, in data collection and

analysis, to serve effectively the institution and the country. The researcher avoided any kind

of bias to provide relevant and reliable information. The information from respondents is

confidential.

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CHAPTER FOUR: SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND

RECOMMENDATIONS

4.0 Introduction

This chapter presents the summary of research findings, conclusions, recommendations and

suggestions for further study.

4.1 Summary of Findings

This section focuses on the summary of research objectives such as the benefits brought by

community empowerment projects in Rwanda; the strategies used by project managers to

increase community capacity building in Rwanda and the barriers related to community

empowerment projects in Rwanda.

4.1.1 The benefits of community empowerment projects in Rwanda

In relation to the first research objective, the benefits brought by community empowerment

projects in Gicumbi District. This study revealed that out of 67 respondents 40 strongly

disagreed while 27 disagreed that creating employment and economic opportunities were

among the benefits of community empowerment in Gicumbi District. The study also showed

that out of 67 respondents, 45 respondents strongly disagreed while 22 respondents agreed

with accessibility of the market,

In relation to community’s control and ownership to land, out of 67 respondents 40 respondents

strongly disagreed while 27 respondents disagreed. Furthermore, the study indicated the

perceptions of respondents on accessibility to healthcare, out of 67 respondents 21 respondents

strongly disagreed while 46 respondents disagreed that Gicumbi community have access to

healthcare.

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4.1.2 The strategies used by Government to increase community capacity building in

Gicumbi District

In relation to the second research objectives, the strategies used by project managers to increase

community capacity building in Rwanda. This study found that community participation is

among of the strategies used by project managers to increase community capacity building

where out of 67 respondents 31 respondents strongly agreed and 36 respondents agreed. The

study also presents perceptions of respondents on skill based training, where out of 67

respondents 10 respondents strongly agreed and 57 respondents disagreed. It also analyzed

income generating activities, where out of 67 respondents 21 respondents strongly agreed and

46 respondents disagreed. Moreover, capacity building was analyzed and found that out of 67

respondents 61 respondents agreed while 6 respondents were undecided. Moreover, the study

revealed that skilled technicians needed to be used, where out of 67 respondents 53 respondents

strongly agreed and 14 respondents disagreed. Furthermore, out of 67 respondents 5

respondents strongly agreed while 62 respondents disagreed that team work is among of the

strategies used by project managers to increase community capacity building in Gicumbi

District.

4.1.3 The barriers related to community empowerment projects in Rwanda

In relation to the third research objective, the barriers related to community empowerment

projects in Rwanda. The study shows perceptions of respondents on lack of financial resources

as among the barriers related to community empowerment projects, where out of 67

respondents 36 respondents strongly agreed while 31 respondents agreed. The study also found

that lack of managerial skills as among of the barriers related to community empowerment

projects in Rwanda, out of 67 respondents 46 respondents agreed while 21 respondents

strongly disagreed. In relation to lack of accountability, out of 67 respondents 22 respondents

strongly agreed while 45 respondents agreed that lack of accountability is among of the barrier

faced community empowerment projects. Moreover, the study indicated perceptions of

respondents on poor co-ordination of the projects as among the barriers related to community

empowerment projects in Rwanda, out of 67 respondents 35 respondents strongly agreed while

32 respondents disagreed. Furthermore, the study presents perceptions of respondents on poor

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management of available resources, out of 67 respondents 36 respondents strongly agreed

while 31 respondents agreed.

4.2 Conclusion

From the findings of this study, it is concluded that the empowerment projects are backbone

of economic growth and poverty reduction of Rwanda , projects played important role for

poverty reduction in rural area through to the innovation in development which play important

role for improvement of the range and quality of products on offer and develop also the ways

for making goods, furthermore it leads to the poverty reduction which played important role

for economic growth of country by providing food stability and for food production as

processes benefit from continual advancements in socio-welfare. The study made partial

conclusions according the research questions as indicated in the following paragraphs;

In relation to the first research question, the benefits of community empowerment projects in

Gicumbi District; the study concluded that community empowerment projects in Gicumbi

District did not reduce poverty and suffering, did not create employment and economic

opportunities, did not develop healthy lifestyle options and food security, community’s control

and ownership, community’s decision-making, education access and accessibility to clean

water are big problem in Gicumbi District as this study indicated.

In relation to the second research question, the strategies used by Government of Rwanda to

increase community capacity building. The study concluded that community participation,

skill based training, income generating activities, resources management, capacity building,

skilled technicians, strategy formulation, mobilization and team work should be the strategies

used by project managers to increase community capacity building, but Government of

Rwanda did not apply this in Gicumbi District.

According to the third research question, the barriers related to community empowerment in

Gicumbi District. The study concluded that lack of good governance, bad leadership style,

human discrimination , lack of access and ownership to land, lack of financial resources, lack

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of managerial skills, lack of accountability, community capacity, regulatory frameworks, and

poor co-ordination of the projects, poor management, a diminishing teamwork, spirit and a

decline in commitment to community projects are the barriers related to community

empowerment in Gicumbi District.

4.3 Recommendations.

According to the research findings, community empowerment projects can be used to

address the complex relationships affecting poverty reduction. In the light of above study

conducted, following are the policy recommendation:

community empowerment projects approach as a strategy and approach to empowering rural

areas should be scaled up to poor households in Rwanda since results of the study show that

this was effective; to establish a legal framework to improve products of agriculture, so as to

satisfy both local and international markets and promote entrepreneur aspects, community

empowerment projects should be strengthened and should expand their support to resource

poor rural areas; strategies to combat the lack of empowerment must be addressed not only the

immediate need of poor rural areas but must also focus on the root cause of rural area’s

powerlessness; incorporate programmatic elements such as literacy, skill based training or

leadership opportunities that contribute to rural area’s empowerment.

4.4 Suggestions for Further Study

Considering that the geographical coverage of the study was relatively small and in line with

the positive results of the research it is recommended that this research be extended to other

income generating projects targeting rural areas in Rwanda so as to safely generalize and

sustain the conclusions of this study. There could be many aspects to explain the empowerment

of rural community in addition to other issues which this study has not addressed. This research

could not look into all aspects of access to resources, decision making and enhancing

leadership.

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APPENDICES

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Appendix one: Questionnaire addressed to the beneficiaries

Dear Sir/Madam

My names are Habimana Theogene, we are carrying out a study on the role of community

empowerment projects in poverty alleviation in Rwanda. You have been selected to take part

in this study because of your membership and technical knowledge on this project, you are

therefore kindly requested to spare some of your valuable time and respond to these questions.

Note that all responses including your identity will be treated with most confidentiality and

shall be exclusively for purposes of this study.

Thank you.

Researcher : Habimana Theogene

A. Instructions For Responding To Questions

Please complete this questionnaire according to this approach: To better respond to questions,

it is recommended that you mark the letter (V) in the appropriate box and that for all possible

answers

B. Identification

Age

[18 - 23] Years [ ]

[24 - 29] Years [ ]

Gender

Male [ ]

Female [ ]

Levels of agreement or disagreement

Likert five point of scale;

Weight scale Interpretation Description

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Strongly agree Agreeing without doubt

Agree Agreeing with some doubt

Undecided Don’t know

Disagree Disagreeing with some doubt

Strongly disagree Disagreeing without doubt

C. Questions Related to Objectives to Be Filled By Beneficiaries

1. The benefits brought by community empowerment projects in Gicumbi

The following are the benefits brought by community empowerment projects in Gicumbi, in

relation to your level of perception, fill the following table using;

Strongly agree = 1, Agree = 2, Undecided = 3, Disagree = 4 and strongly disagree = 5

Benefits brought by community empowerment projects 1 2 3 4 5

Reduce poverty and suffering

Create employment and economic opportunities

Achieve social, economic, cultural and environmental goals

together

Develop healthy lifestyle options and food security

Community’s control and ownership

Community’s decision-making

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Education access

Accessibility to clean water,

Accessibility to energy

Accessibility to communication

Accessibility to transport

Accessibility to financial services

Accessibility to the market

Comment (optional) ……………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………….……………………….

……………………..…………………………………………………….……………………..

2. The strategies used by project managers to increase community capacity

building in Gicumbi;

The following the strategies used by project managers to increase community

capacity building in Gicumbi in relation to your level of perception, fill the following

table using;

Strongly agree = 1, Agree = 2, Undecided = 3, Disagree=4 and Strongly disagree=5

Strategies used by project managers 1 2 3 4 5

Community participation

Skill based training

Income generating activities

Resources Management

Capacity Building

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Monitoring and Evaluation

Skilled technicians

Strategy formulation

Mobilization

Team work

Comment (optional) ……………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………….……………………….

……………………..…………………………………………………….……………………..

3. The barriers related to community empowerment projects in Gicumbi;

The following are the barrier related to community empowerment project in Gicumbi in

relation to your level of perception, fill the following table using;

Strongly agree = 1, Agree = 2, Undecided = 3, Disagree=4 and Strongly disagree=5

The barriers related to community

empowerment projects in Gicumbi

1 2 3 4 5

Bad leadership style

Lack of good governance

Lack of financial resources

Lack of managerial skills

Lack of accountability

Community capacity

Regulatory frameworks

Poor co-ordination

Poor management

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A diminishing teamwork

Lack of training

Comment (optional) ……………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………..

………………………………………………………………………………………………

…..

Thank you

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Appendix two: Interview addressed to the District staff

Institution of work………………………………………………………………….

Education Level…………………………………………………………

Position…………………………………………………………………..

Gender: Male Female

1. What role did you play in the implementation of the Gicumbi District ?

…………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………

2. What strategies, if any, did you use to improve community capacity building in Gicumbi

District ?

…………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………

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3. In your opinion, what are the benefits of the Gicumbi development projects to the

community?

…………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………

4.What was the success rate of the project in relation to meeting its objectives?

a. < 50%

b. 50%-59%

c. 60%-70%

d. 71%-80%

e. >81%

5. In your opinion, what main factors are responsible for the results achieved in question 4

above?

…………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………......

.....................................................................................................................................................

6. In your opinion, what barriers did you face in the implementation of the Gicumbi

development project?

…………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………

Did you involve the beneficiaries of the Gicumbi development project in the planning of the

project?

a. Yes b. No

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If yes, how were they involved in the planning process?

…………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………

7. Did you involve the beneficiaries of the Gicumbi development project in the

implementation of the project?

a. Yes b. No

If yes, how were they involved in the implementation process?

…………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………

9. Do you think community empowerment through this project in Gicumbi has helped to

reduce poverty there? (Explain your opinion)

a. Yes b. No

…………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………

10. From your experience with Gicumbi development project, what suggestions do you have

that would improve similar projects in Rwanda in the future?

…………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………

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…………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………….

***Thank you for your kind cooperation***