Religion and development: the contribution made by the United church of Zambia to social and economic development in Lusaka district.
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Date
2016
Authors
Fellows, Nelly M.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
The University of Zambia
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate the contribution made by the United
Church of Zambia (UCZ) to Social and Economic Development in Lusaka District.
The study was motivated by the fact that the UCZ had made enormous
developmental contributions to other parts of Zambia but little was known or
documented on what it had done in Lusaka District. In order to understand this, the
study employed a qualitative inquiry as regards the collection of data and used a
descriptive survey design. It employed purposeful sampling (typical) which was used
to come up with the desired sample size of 25 participants.
The desired data were collected by the use of in-depth interview guide, observation
checklist and focus group discussion guide. The data was analysed thematically. The
findings were categorised in line with the objectives which were : to ascertain the
participation of the UCZ in the economic development of Lusaka District, to
establish the involvement of the UCZ in the provision of health services in Lusaka
District and to investigate the involvement of the UCZ in education provision in
Lusaka District. The study established that the UCZ contributed to the economic and
social development by offering employment, engaging in community development,
advocating for women’s economic rights and providing education facilities from preschool to secondary schools among others.
Further, the church provided healthcare services even though they did not run any
hospitals and clinics. Additionally, the UCZ in Lusaka District was involved in
sensitisation programmes addressing the problem of non-communicable diseases
such as hypertension, diabetes and cancer. The health concerns of the youth were
also addressed. The study concluded that the church was a valuable partner in the
social and economic development of the citizenry. It promoted the holistic
development of the citizens and this had a ripple effect on the Social and economic
development of a country. The study recommended that the UCZ should partner with
the government in the provision of education and healthcare in Lusaka District as it
had done in other Districts. Future research could be carried out to establish how
other faith based organisations contributed to national development.how
other faith based organisations contributed to national development.
Description
Master of education in education and development
Keywords
Churches in national development.