Participatory development communication and the sustainability of poverty alleviation projects in Lesotho : a case of Lifajaneng

This study aimed at assessing the impact of communication on the sustainability of poverty alleviation programmes established for selected beneficiaries in the rural community of Lifajaneng. This is conducted with the purpose of understanding how the Mafeteng community engages in the poverty alleviation projects carried out within their area of residence, so as to encourage more commitment in participation. The conceptual framework for this study is the empowerment approach and the study is informed by two theories; the participatory communication theory and the diffusion of innovation theory. The study employed the mixed method approach to gather and analyze the data; that is using questionnaires, focus group discussions and face to face interviews to solicit for information from project participants and project managers. The quantitative data was presented and analyzed through charts and graphs buttressed with themes that emerged in the qualitative data. The study revealed that the sustainability of the poverty alleviation projects remains questionable due to a number of challenges. The results reflect that communities are more comfortable when the mother language (Sesotho) is used predominantly as the medium of communication. The results also reflected that meetings had a higher attendance rate if called for by local leaders through word of mouth followed by communications done telephonically. Mainstream media such as radio and newspapers were the least effective when mobilizing the communities for meetings related to the poverty alleviation projects in the poor community. The study also unfolded the following issues; lack of full participation and commitment of the beneficiaries, inadequate funding to allow sufficient training of the beneficiaries. This is because the funds had some strings attached and the beneficiaries had their own expectations of the funds, therefore the objectives and the limits of the funder did not match the objectives and the limitations of the beneficiaries. Hence, the end results are lack of motivation for the beneficiaries

An assessment of the sustainability of the selected NGOs interventions on poverty alleviation: the case of Mafeteng and Leribe Districts

vital:63091The escalating levels of poverty present a serious challenge of vulnerability to most citizens of Lesotho. The government of Lesotho and its Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) partners have been engaged in several programs aimed at alleviating poverty, whose persistence has threatened the current and future generations of the country. This study aimed at assessing the sustainability of NGO`s poverty alleviation programmes established for selected beneficiaries in rural communities. The main participants in this study were beneficiaries of poverty alleviation projects, government officials and NGO project managers. Using a combination of empowerment, sustainable livelihood approach and the sustainable development theoretical frameworks, the study adopted the qualitative research methodology to investigate the pertinent issues. The research design was a case study which helped to direct the researcher in the process of collecting and analyzing data. The study revealed that the sustainability of these projects in poverty alleviation remains questionable due to a number of challenges. These challenges include; lack of participation of the beneficiaries, inadequate funding, natural disasters, lack of commitment of the beneficiaries and lack of government support to the project beneficiaries. Nevertheless, there are commendable efforts made by the NGOs involved to enhance the sustainability of these projects and these include; training the beneficiaries in crop production, marketing, natural resources management and disaster management. In light of the challenges faced by NGOs and participants in alleviating poverty, this study advocates, The three stakeholders are expected to work harmoniously together using communication channels that are open to all of them. That enables them to work with a singleness of purpose to attain the sustainability goals of the project. There is need also for NGOs to reconsider their targeting schemes, and to advance their training, monitoring and evaluation skills of their projects. It also recommended that the beneficiaries must be empowered in order for the sustainability of the projects to be realized.Thesis (MSoc (Dev)) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 201