A new role for NGOs in development?

"The wealth of individual case studies of NGO activities reported in the development literature highlights some important lessons to be learned from their experiences. Lesson one: The need for in-depth analysis of poverty ... Lesson two: Development initiatives for the poor must emanate from the needs of the poor as perceived by them ... Lesson three: Chronic, systemic poverty requires change that concentrates on strengthening the social and political situation of the poor; as well as their economic conditions ... Lesson four: The poorest are more likely to benefit if development activities are designed in such a way that appropriation by others is difficult or unprofitable ... Lesson five: The simpler the design, the greater the likelihood that the poorest can control and benefit from development projects ... Lesson six: Development for the poor neqessarily involves changing the structures which keep them in poverty, and a readiness to cope with the conflict which may accompany such changes...

From Bondage to Economic Survival: Can Liberated Trokosi Make the Transition?

Trokosi, which is a form of slavery, is a significant issue in Ghana with over 5,000 womenand 15,000 children affected. Starting 1991, International Needs Ghana (ING) havenegotiated with Shrine priests for the liberation of trokosi. However, even after liberation, thetrokosi, who are overwhelmingly females (young girls and women with children), remainvulnerable and trapped, unable to escape their psychological trauma as a result of thebondage to shrine priests. Their trauma is compounded by fear of the unknown and theanxiety of possible rejection by the wider society into which they must resettle. To assist theintegration of the trokosi into society, ING provides them with livelihood skills, in the hopethat they can utilise these skills to develop income generating activities. Nonetheless, thequestion posed by government officials, NGO representatives and researchers involved withtrokosi remain whether the trokosi can make the transition from bondage to economicsurvival. This paper therefore investigates whether the trokosi can be economically successfulwhen offered practical skills directly related to livelihood needs

Microfinance best practice : ten parameters of success for development NGOs

Experience has shown that development NGOs typically do not succeed in transforming themselves into financially sustainable providers of financial intermediation services. The reasons for this failure are complex (see Dichter 1999). Nonetheless, the role that NGOs play as microfinance providers is important and the contribution they could make to poverty reduction would be greatly enhanced if they adhered to some simple but essential parameters of success.<br /