Assessing Villagers' Perception of NGO Effectiveness in Community Development: A Case Study in [Blantyre District-Ta Kapeni and Machinjiri]

Author(s): Emmanuel Daka, Dr. F Benjamin and Dr. T Velmurugan

Abstract:

This study examined the perception of villagers in rural Malawi regarding the effectiveness of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in community development and it highlights the importance of considering villagers' perceptions in evaluating NGO effectiveness and implications for sustainable community development. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) often operate in diverse cultural and socio-economic contexts, implementing projects ranging from healthcare and education to infrastructure development and environmental sustainability. This study showed that 60.8% of the respondents agreed that NGOs are promoting development in their respective areas and majority of these are from TA Machinjri while 25.5% strongly agree and majority of these are from TA Kapeni. 3.9% were neutral and 9.8% were disagreeing that NGOs were promoting development in their communities. The majority of villagers demonstrated awareness of NGOs operating in their communities, with approximately 80% reporting direct or indirect engagement with these organizations. Villagers perceived NGOs to have a positive impact on various aspects of community development, including education, healthcare, infrastructure, and livelihood opportunities. Villagers highlighted several challenges and concerns, including issues related to sustainability, dependency, cultural sensitivity, and power dynamics. The study revealed a strong preference among villagers for collaborative approaches, emphasizing the importance of partnerships between NGOs, local government bodies, and community members. The study provides valuable insights into villagers' perceptions of NGO effectiveness in community development, and villagers generally acknowledge the positive impact of NGOs. However, addressing concerns related to trust, sustainability, and collaboration is essential for enhancing their effectiveness and ensuring long-term development outcomes. Beyond NGOs, engaging other stakeholders is essential to ensure the effectiveness of community development efforts.

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Pages: 40-48     |    2 View     |    0 Download