Open AccessMaking community development at grassroots reality: Church-driven development approach in Zimbabwe’s context of severe poverty
Author(s) -
Vhumani Magezi
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
in die skriflig/in die skriflig
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2305-0853
pISSN - 1018-6441
DOI - 10.4102/ids.v51i1.2263
Subject(s) - grassroots , poverty , community development , context (archaeology) , perspective (graphical) , psychological intervention , political science , economic growth , sociology , public relations , psychology , politics , geography , law , economics , computer science , archaeology , artificial intelligence , psychiatry
The critical role played by communities in development initiatives is globally acknowledged. Churches are key community institutions that play a crucial role in community development, yet their role is not well understood from an empirical perspective. A cross-sectional study of a church-driven community development initiative that was implemented in line with a practical inquiry approach, was conducted. The findings are presented and discussed, thereby leading to the conception of a holistic church-driven development approach that brings together different churches in the community. This approach responds to integrated community needs without focusing on one single issue, which is different to approaches advocated by some international development agencies and donors who recommend one or a few focused interventions