Poverty alleviation in rural areas : a case of world vision Kenya in Taita District

Abstract

The study is guided by the definition of poverty by Clarence (1979:11) who defines it as lack of good nutrition, good health, education opportunities and similar dimensions of welfare. Poverty not only encompasses issues about income, but it also highlights or affects or includes all areas of life such as health, safety, education, food. shelter and basic services like energy, water and sanitation. This study will therefore seek to find out what NGOs specifically WORLD VISION - KENYA are doing to empower the rural people so that they can be able to afford the life's basic needs and hence rise above poverty line. Availability of water, increased level of education, better living conditions, will be main variables to be examined in order to determine if their availability have contributed to poverty reduction. The study will focus on WORLD VISION - KENYA activities in Kenya and especially in TaitaTaveta district, Voi Region. This study should reveal all the activities of WORLD VISION - KENYA and how they contribute to rural poverty reduction in the areas of their operation. The study should enable other NGOs who might be interested in reducing poverty and also enlighten any other interested parties including the government, on measures they can take to contribute to the efforts of eradicating poverty. This information is to be obtained through interviewing the members of the communities where WORLD VISION - KENYA has its operations in Taita - Taveta district Voi region. Structured questions will be used and also visits to projects initiated by WORLD VISION - KENYA to see how sustainable they are. The findings of the study will focus on answering the following questions.

a) What contribution has the WORLD VISION- KENYA to rural development hence alleviation or reduction of poverty? b) How available are such resources like water, health care, education and others. What about creation of employment, population control, sanitation? How has WORLD VISION - KENYA assisted positively in availing these? c) How do NGOs. specifically. WORLD VISION - KENYA been able to sustain the projects they initiate? d) What lessons do the operations of WORLD VISION - KENYA teach other NGO's the government and other interested parties in poverty alleviation?