An exploration of perceptions on poverty: The case of the Methodist Church of Southern Africa at Alice Region Eastern Cape – A qualitative approach.

This paper sought to explore the perceptions of and the experiences of Methodist Church of Southern Africa (MCSA) Alice Region in alleviating poverty. The study from which this paper is derived, was informed by a qualitative approach using a case study design. The study also used interviews complem...

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Main Authors: X. T. Jibiliza (PhD Candidate), Dr. R.Z. Rashe
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Africajournals 2018-01-01
Series:Pharos Journal of Theology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.pharosjot.com/uploads/7/1/6/3/7163688/article_15_vol_99_2018_-rashe_ufh.pdf
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author X. T. Jibiliza (PhD Candidate)
Dr. R.Z. Rashe
author_facet X. T. Jibiliza (PhD Candidate)
Dr. R.Z. Rashe
author_sort X. T. Jibiliza (PhD Candidate)
collection DOAJ
description This paper sought to explore the perceptions of and the experiences of Methodist Church of Southern Africa (MCSA) Alice Region in alleviating poverty. The study from which this paper is derived, was informed by a qualitative approach using a case study design. The study also used interviews complemented by focus group discussions as data collection methods. The study comprised 20 participants who remained anonymous, that were selected through the use of a purposive sampling technique. The study revealed the following thematic findings: Poverty is associated with diseases, poverty is associated with the phenomenon of divorce, poverty is associated with homelessness, there is lack of employment, and poverty is also linked to inequality. The paper employed a pastoral care approach as a theoretical or conceptual framework and made the following recommendations: There is need for the MCSA to have a committee that will formulate structures for sustaining projects for poverty alleviation to give an account of finance utilization. The MCSA should take into account all the special conditions that are associated with poverty alleviation. The church should also be concerned about people who are impoverished and have no accommodation, food and clothes, for instance, and ascertain their actual living conditions. MCSA, Department of Social Development, NGOs and the Department of Health should work together to strategize on fighting against poverty in the Alice Region. There is a need for a collaborative effort by different stakeholders to strategize on a fight against poverty. The Methodist Church should develop a poverty eradication policy and integrate this into its existing polices. The Methodist Church of Southern Africa should integrate policy formulation so that the fight against poverty may also be established within the MCSA policy.
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spelling doaj.art-bf0cfc13088f43dcac34f9df13e7b8532022-12-22T03:08:26ZengAfricajournalsPharos Journal of Theology2414-33242018-01-0199An exploration of perceptions on poverty: The case of the Methodist Church of Southern Africa at Alice Region Eastern Cape – A qualitative approach.X. T. Jibiliza (PhD Candidate)0Dr. R.Z. Rashe1Department of Theology Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities University of Fort Hare, South AfricaDepartment of Theology Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities University of Fort Hare, South AfricaThis paper sought to explore the perceptions of and the experiences of Methodist Church of Southern Africa (MCSA) Alice Region in alleviating poverty. The study from which this paper is derived, was informed by a qualitative approach using a case study design. The study also used interviews complemented by focus group discussions as data collection methods. The study comprised 20 participants who remained anonymous, that were selected through the use of a purposive sampling technique. The study revealed the following thematic findings: Poverty is associated with diseases, poverty is associated with the phenomenon of divorce, poverty is associated with homelessness, there is lack of employment, and poverty is also linked to inequality. The paper employed a pastoral care approach as a theoretical or conceptual framework and made the following recommendations: There is need for the MCSA to have a committee that will formulate structures for sustaining projects for poverty alleviation to give an account of finance utilization. The MCSA should take into account all the special conditions that are associated with poverty alleviation. The church should also be concerned about people who are impoverished and have no accommodation, food and clothes, for instance, and ascertain their actual living conditions. MCSA, Department of Social Development, NGOs and the Department of Health should work together to strategize on fighting against poverty in the Alice Region. There is a need for a collaborative effort by different stakeholders to strategize on a fight against poverty. The Methodist Church should develop a poverty eradication policy and integrate this into its existing polices. The Methodist Church of Southern Africa should integrate policy formulation so that the fight against poverty may also be established within the MCSA policy.https://www.pharosjot.com/uploads/7/1/6/3/7163688/article_15_vol_99_2018_-rashe_ufh.pdfPovertyMethodist ChurchEastern Cape provinceSouth Africa
spellingShingle X. T. Jibiliza (PhD Candidate)
Dr. R.Z. Rashe
An exploration of perceptions on poverty: The case of the Methodist Church of Southern Africa at Alice Region Eastern Cape – A qualitative approach.
Pharos Journal of Theology
Poverty
Methodist Church
Eastern Cape province
South Africa
title An exploration of perceptions on poverty: The case of the Methodist Church of Southern Africa at Alice Region Eastern Cape – A qualitative approach.
title_full An exploration of perceptions on poverty: The case of the Methodist Church of Southern Africa at Alice Region Eastern Cape – A qualitative approach.
title_fullStr An exploration of perceptions on poverty: The case of the Methodist Church of Southern Africa at Alice Region Eastern Cape – A qualitative approach.
title_full_unstemmed An exploration of perceptions on poverty: The case of the Methodist Church of Southern Africa at Alice Region Eastern Cape – A qualitative approach.
title_short An exploration of perceptions on poverty: The case of the Methodist Church of Southern Africa at Alice Region Eastern Cape – A qualitative approach.
title_sort exploration of perceptions on poverty the case of the methodist church of southern africa at alice region eastern cape a qualitative approach
topic Poverty
Methodist Church
Eastern Cape province
South Africa
url https://www.pharosjot.com/uploads/7/1/6/3/7163688/article_15_vol_99_2018_-rashe_ufh.pdf
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