NGOs’ strategies towards asset accumulation and poverty reduction in Zimbabwe

ABSTRACT

The study explored NGOs’ strategies toward asset accumulation and poverty reduction in Zimbabwe using a case study of three NGOs in the Chegutu District. Despite several NGOs operating in the Chegutu District, asset problems are conspicuously reflected by income struggles, school children dropping out of school and the social exclusion of the communities. Thus, the study analyzed the role of NGOs in asset accumulation and the relationship between asset accumulation and poverty reduction. It emerged that NGOs are using ISALS, nutritional gardens, service provision, income-generating activities (IGAs) and vocational training (VT) to engender the accumulation of financial, social, physical and human assets. As households accumulate sufficient levels of financial assets through interventions like ISALS, VT and nutritional gardens, there is improved social wellbeing, shedding light on the nexus between asset accumulation and poverty reduction. The study was qualitative in nature with data collected through the use of in-depth interviews and FGDs.

KEYWORDS:

• Asset accumulation
• poverty
• non-governmental organisations (NGOs)
• Chegutu district. poor households

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

The work was supported by the Centre for African Philanthropy and Social Investment (CAPSI) .

Notes on contributors

Itai Kabonga

Itai Kabonga is currently pursuing studies in Public and Development Management at Wits School of Governance (WSG). He has worked in the development sector in the recent past and researches on NGOs and community development, civil society-state relations and international aid systems. Itai has over 25 publications focusing on the above themes.