The Role Of Community Based Organizations For Community Development

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

This explanatory case study discusses the developmental role of community based organizations in Ethiopia. Among the existing community based organizations in Ethiopia, the researcher selected funeral associations (Iddirs) to examine their capacity to engage in community development activities in accordance with their customary roles. In order to find out, the researcher conducted semi-structured interviews with the representatives of different iddirs. Accordingly the researcher found out that over one hundred iddirs are engaged in development activities forming one big alliance of iddirs while maintaining their customary role individually. The research investigated the administrative and financial capacities of iddirs that are member of the umbrella organization.
The research found out that the studied iddirs that are member of the umbrella organization have administrative capacity that enables them to involve in different developmental activities. The study also found out that the majority of iddirs in Addis Ababa has weak administrative capacity. This kind of difference is due to access of support, professional guidance and unity. Based on this information the research comes to the conclusion that iddirs would have administrative capacity if they received appropriate support from external development agencies.
Regarding the financial capacity, iddirs have limited activity on additional income generation activities. Due to their limited access to income, many iddirs face financial scarcity. However, the studied iddirs managed to provide different support for their members and participate in different development activities both individually and in group. The research found out that the umbrella organization of iddirs is delivering different development service for the disadvantaged grass-roots level of the community. It also motivates and support member iddirs to engage in development activities. Therefore the study concluded that despite the financial limitations of iddirs, the collaboration of iddirs under one organized union is a viable way to involve in community development.
Finally, the research suggests that the government has the responsibility to cultivate and nurture the participation of iddirs alliance in development activities through facilitating the means to improve their financial capacity and become self-reliant community based development agency. The government should also link them with international donor agencies, so they could work in cooperation with them.

목차 (Table of Contents)

• CHAPTER I: Introduction 1
• 1.1) Background of the study 1
• 1.2) Iddirs’ Structure and Activity 2
• 1.3) Purpose of the Study 3
• 1.4) Research Question 4
• 1.5) Methodology 4
• 1.6) Limitation of the Study 5
• 1.7) Overview of the Thesis 5
• CHAPTER: II Iddirs and Community Development 7
• 2.1) The Historical Background of Iddir 7
• 2.2) Iddirs and State Relation 7
• 2.3) Similar Funeral Associations in Other African countries 9
• 2.4) Community Development 10
• 2.5) Iddirs and Their Role in Community Development 12
• 2.6) Advantages of Iddirs Intervention in Local Development 13
• 2.7) Controversies on Iddirs’ Role Beyond Their Customary Activity 14
• Chapter III: The Activities of Iddirs on Community Development 17
• 3.1) The Emergence of “the third sector” in Development Discourses 17
• 3.1.1) Alternative Ways of Establishing Vibrant CBOs in Ethiopia 18
• 3.2) Description of the Cases 19
• 3.2.1) Tesfa Social and Development Association (TSDA) 19
• 3.2.2) Organizational Structure of TSDA 21
• 3.2.4) Provision Support for Orphan and Vulnerable Children 22
• 3.2.5) Care and Support for Elderly People 23
• 3.2.6 )TSDA Activities on Livelihood Promotion 24
• 3.2.7) TSDA Activities on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control 25
• 3.3) Kolfe St. Michel Meredaja Iddir 26
• 3.4) Tesfa be Hiwot Meredaja Iddir 28
• 3.5) Sefere Selam Iddir 30
• CHAPTER IV: Findings on the Capacity of Iddirs for Community Development 32
• 4.1) Administrative Capacity of Iddirs for Community Development 33
• 4.2) Financial Capacity of Iddirs 35
• 4.2.1)Additional Income Generation Activities of Iddirs 35
• 4.2.2) Financial Capacity of TSDA to Involve in Development Activities 37
• 4.2.3) Financial Capacity of Individual Iddirs for Community Development 38
• 4.3) Iddirs Umbrella Organization and Community Development 38
• 4.4) The Advantages of Self Initiated Alliance of Iddirs for Development 39
• 4.5) Iddirs Role as Implementers and as Beneficiaries in community Development 40
• 4.5.1) Iddirs as Beneficiaries of Community Development 40
• 4.5.2) Iddirs as Implimenteres of Community Development 41
• 4.6) The Interaction Between TSDA and Member Iddirs 42
• 4.7) The Impact of Iddirs’ Development Activity on their Customary Role 42
• CHAPTER V: Conclusion and Recommendations 45
• Appendix 48
• Bibliography 49