The state, NGOs and the struggle over ownership of poverty in Chivi rural district: role of communication in perception building among the subaltern

Abstract

This research sought to establish the perception of the local people in Chivi District towards development aid from the state and NGOs. Chivi is a district which has been plagued with chronic poverty for a long while now thus it has attracted the attention of external philanthropists as well as local government authorities in trying to end poverty. Making use of various theories, the research inferred how communication helps shape the perceptions of the poor towards eradication of poverty in the district. The researcher used ethnography as well as questionnaires as the key methods for establishing the objective of the research. The research established that the majority of the beneficiaries of aid favoured the NGOs poverty eradication efforts as compared to the state. However, a uniform contradictory opinion emerged from a minor population with apparently better literacy levels. Interpersonal communication, particularly with the NGO officials played a key role in shaping this opinion. Recommendations were made to both the state and NGOs on how best to address the issue of poverty in Chivi District. To the NGOs, it was basically recommended that they implement self-sustainability development aid projects, with eventual plans to withdraw operations from the district. To the state, recommendations were made to invest in long term, permanent development projects which could effectively solve the problem of poverty in the district. It was further suggested, however, that further research may be necessary on a broader level for the sake of generalising results to a larger population.