THE ROLE OF FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATIONS IN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT: A STUDY OF JUSTICE, DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE/CARITAS’ (JDPC) INTERVENTIONS IN KANO STATE

THE ROLE OF FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATIONS IN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT: A STUDY OF JUSTICE, DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE/CARITAS’ (JDPC) INTERVENTIONS IN KANO STATE

Abstract:

In the past, some have viewed religion as unconcerned with the mundane, hence, uninterested in the material development of people. Karl Marx (1818-1883) for example, has famously described religion as the opium of the people; and this is to drive home the point that religion not only dwells on the care of souls butalso deludes the people to do nothing about their impoverished conditions. This study posits that despite the misrepresentation of religion in history, it is still a powerful influence in the lives of people, and not just care for the souls, it also cares for the wellbeing of the people.Hence, the study deals with the role religious organizations, like Justice, Development and Peace/Caritas (JDPC), play in community development and how deploying appropriate communication approaches could enhance their interventions. The study focuses on the JDPC‟s development interventions in Refawa and Gamashina communities in Kano State. Faith-Based organizations are involved in development work because of the overwhelming demand for community development in rural areas, which the government alone cannot meet. Using instruments of Focus Group Discussion, Key Informant Interview and Personal Observation, the researcher collected data from respondents to analyse the development interventions of JDPC in these communities. The findings corroborate the fact that faith-based organizations are partners in development. Using conventional communication tools, JDPC has mobilized the people to build schools, health care centres and so forth. It has organized workshops on nutrition and general hygiene. Trainings have been conducted to educate farmers on new seedlings and many farmers who are financially constrained have been assisted with pumping machines for irrigation farming. Other socio-economic interventions that would benefit the communities are also being carried out. Also, from the findings of the study, sustainability and ownership of the interventions remain a challenge. The researcher proposes communication approaches that are intrinsically participatory like Participatory Learning and Action, Community Theatre and Edutainment. These will take care of the limitations of the existing communication tools. The study further recommends clearer definition of mission and objectives to avoid ambiguity, and partnership with other stakeholders. JDPC should deploy other endogenous communication approaches and further research be carried out on how Faith-Based organizations can effectively communicate development initiatives to rural communities in Nigeria. It is expected that these recommendations would help the people to own these interventions and guarantee their sustainability.

THE ROLE OF FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATIONS IN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT: A STUDY OF JUSTICE, DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE/CARITAS’ (JDPC) INTERVENTIONS IN KANO STATE