FAITH BASED OGANIZATIONS AND THE THEOLOGY OF POVERTY AND DEATH IN VIHIGA COUNTY, KENYA
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47672/ejpcr.205Keywords:
Faith Based Organizations, poverty alleviation, Western KenyaAbstract
Purpose: The purpose of the study was to assess the role of the Faith Based Organizations in alleviating poverty in Western Kenya.
Methodology: This study is a cross-sectional research that sought to give an examining and descriptive scrutiny of the death beliefs surrounding FBO's activities in Emuhaya District. This study targeted Emuhaya District which has a population of 180,000 people who are members of the FBO's. To obtain data for analysis, qualitative methods of data collection, which include in-depth oral interviews, focus group discussion, observation and documentary analysis, were employed. Questionnaires were prepared and administered according to the information required from the specific groups of respondents. This study utilized secondary sources, which were derived from published books, minutes of developmental meetings in the FBO, reports of the development projects of the church, articles and records from Kenya National Archives. Data collected through the questionnaires and personal interviews, was synthesized systematically and logically compiled to determine the role of FBO in alleviating poverty in Emuhaya District. Data was coded manually and organized under different themes. The researcher then investigated the concepts of liberation and reconstruction in improving the well-being of the poor through an analysis and interpretation of the theological methods of induction (TMI).
Results: Based on the findings the study concluded that the CoG-K's teachings are largely pertinent in the development of FBO members and their participation in activities that are designed along people's development needs. Also, the CoG-K has a role to play through her programs like Sisi kwa Sisi and Child Development Centres.
Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: This research recommends that if Emuhaya District is to develop, it has to place the FBO teachings and theology of option for the poor at the top of the agenda and to consider it as is so often the case, as adjunct to the real core of the work that is, development. The study proposes that for the FBO to improve her input in social concerns of the people, it should reshape its theology of development so that it can fully address the plight of the poor.
Downloads
References
Albertini, R. V. (1980), Colonialism and Underdevelopment: Critical Remarks on the Theory of Dependency. Leiden: Leiden University Press.
Alela, M. (2007), Good News to the Poor: A Model for Holistic Christian Ministry in Bunyore, Kenya. Unpublished Ph.D Thesis: Asbury Theological Seminary.
Assman, H. R. (1976). Theology for A Nomad Church. New York: Orbis Press.
Ayanga, H. O. (1999). The Secularization Process and Its Impact on Christianity in Kenya: Eldoret as a Case Study. Unpublished Ph.D Thesis: Moi University.
Babbie, E. (1998), Social Research Methods. Belmont: Wadsworth Publishing.
Barret, D. B. (1975), African Initiatives in Religion. Nairobi: East African Publishing House.
Belshaw, D. (2001), Faith in Development: Partnership Between the World Bank and Churches of Africa. Oxford: Regnum Books International.
Bob, G. (1995), Beyond Poverty and Affluence. New York: Oxford University Press.
Bradshaw, B. (1997), Christian Witness and Transformational Development. Monrovia: MARC.
Bryne, T. (1970), The Church and Development Dilemma. Eldoret: Gaba Publishers.
Burkey, S. (1993), People First: A Guide to Self-Reliant, Participatory Rural Development. New York: Zed Books Ltd.
Chambers, R. (1996), Rural Development: Putting the Last First. Essex: England Longman.
Craige, B. L. (1999), Neither Poverty nor Richness. Illinois: Essex Publishers.
Daily Nation (2004). Nairobi Women. Nairobi: Nation Media Publishers.
Dunne, G. (1964). Poverty in Plenty. New York: Orbis Books. Educational Publishers.
Galgalo, J. D. (2005). African Christian and the Contemporary Market Place: Materialism and the Theology of Moderation. Butere: Chadwick.
Gonzalez, J. (1987). A History of the Christian Thought: from the Protestant Reformation to the Twentieth Centaury. Nashville: Abingdon Press.
Government of Kenya. (1998). The First Report on Poverty in Kenya: Poverty and Social Indicators. Nairobi: Government Printers.
Government of Kenya. (2002). Development Indicators from the 1999 Kenya Population and Housing Census. Nairobi: Government Printers.
Gustavo, G. (1968), Liberation Theology. Grand Rapid: Eerdman Publications. Human Development in Africa. Nairobi: Pauline Publishers.
Kageni, B. (2008), No Expense is Spared When Death Calls. Nairobi: Nation Media Press.
Kemp, C. F. (1975), Pastoral Care with the Poor. Indiana: Abingdon Press.
Kimambo, L. (1999). East African Expression of Christianity. Nairobi: East African
Educational Publishers.
Krueger, J. (1998). Focus Groups: A Practical Guide for Applied Research. Newsbury: Sage
Marja-Liisa, S. (1985). Women in Development: A Creative Role Denied? New York: Martin Press.
Mazrui, A. A. (1990). Cultural Force in World Politics. London: James Curry Publishers.
Mbiti, J. S. (1996). African Religion and Philosophy. Nairobi: Heinemann Publishers.
MDG Center. (2009). Taking Action to End Extreme Poverty. Nairobi: Acton Publishers.
Meeks, D. (1989). God the Economist: the Doctrine of God and Political Economy. Minneapolis: House Press.
Myers, C. (1999). Walking with the Poor: Principles and Practice of Transformational Development. Maryknoll: Orbis Books.
Nandy, A. (1998). Tradition, Tyranny and Utopia. Bombay: Oxford University Press.
Nyongo, A. (1990), Regional Integration in Africa. Nairobi: Academic Science Publishers.
O'Brien, J. (1992), Theology and the Option for the Poor. Michigan: A Michael Glazier
Publishers.
Ochola, J. N. (2001), A Comparison of Values and Aspirations of the Members of the Trustees and the Faculty of Theological Colleges in Kenya. Unpublished Ph.D Thesis: Graduate School of the University of South Mississippi.
Office of the Member of Parliament. (2010), Emuhaya Development Plan. Nairobi: Citizen Press.
Ogot, B. A. (1999), Building on the Indigenous; Selected Essays 1981 - 1998. Nairobi: Regal press.
Okullu, H. (1987), Church and Politics in East Africa. Nairobi: Uzima Press.
Otieno, J. O. (2007), Economic Development and the Church. Nairobi: Nation Media Publishers.
Paradox of Poverty in Africa". In Kanyandago P. (Ed). The Cries of the Poor in Africa: Questions and Responses for African Christianity. Uganda: Kisubi Publishers.
Plant, R. (2001), Politics, Theology and History. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Pope Pious. (1967), Liberation Theology. Grand Rapids: Eerdman Publications.
Prandervand, P. (1990), Listening to Africa; Developing Africa from the Grass Roots. New York: Praeger Publisher.
Rasmussen, T. (1996), Christian Responsibility in Economic Life. Philadelphia: Westminster Press.
Saitoti, G. (2002), Economic Development. Nairobi: Government Printers.
Singleton, M. Q. (1988), Qualitative Evaluation Methods. Newbury Park: Sage Publications.
Speckman, M. T. (2001), Relief, Foreign Aid and Making of A Beggar in the Bible and Human Development in Africa. Nairobi: Pauline Publishers.
Staffold, G. S. (2005), Strategic Planning. Nairobi: Heinemann Publishers.
Sugden, S. (1987), The Church in Response to Human Needs. Oregon: Wipf and Stock
Tylor, J. V. (1975), Enough is Enough. London: SMC Publishers.
UNDP. (1996), Progress Against poverty: A Report on Activities since Copenhagen UNDP Progress Report. New York: UNDP Publications.
UNDP. (2003), Human Development Report: Gender Work. New York: UNDP Publications.
Vinay, S. (1999), Mission as Transformation. Oxford: Regnun Publishers.
Wako, D. M. (1985). The Western Abaluyia and Their Proverbs. Nairobi: Heinemann Publications.
Wanyama, F. (2003), Local Organizations for Sustainable Development; the Political Environment of the Community Based Organizations in Western Kenya. Unpublished Thesis: Maseno University.
Wengraf, T. (2001), Qualitative Research Review: Biographical Narrative and Structured Methods. London: Sage Publications.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2017 Dr. Hezekiah Obwoge, Prof. O.M.J. Nandi
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY) 4.0 License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgment of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
