An evaluation of community partipation in attempts to start a community garden project in the Shakashead community.
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Date
2000
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Abstract
The purpose of the study was to describe and analyse community participation in
attempts to start a community garden project in the Shakashead community. A key
focus of the study was to identify the level of participation of the community in all
aspects of the project cycle, that is, the planning, implementation monitoring and
evaluation phases.
The study was carried out in an informal settlement situated in the North Coast about
75km from Durban. The community garden project was funded by the Luthuli
Education Trust and initiated by the Borough of the Dolphin Coast as an endeavour to
address abject poverty and unemployment in the community.
Qualitative research methodology guided the evaluative nature of the research. The
case study research strategy was used as the community garden project in the
Shakashead community served as an example of a development programme in action.
The data collection methods included participant observation and semi-structured,
individual interviews. Purposive sampling was used to obtain respondents for this
study. This process involved the deliberate selection of members who played
significant roles in the attempts to start a community garden project in the Shakashead
community. These research respondents included members of the Shakashead Civic
Resident's Association, a Development Consultant who represented the funding
organisation and the client liaison officer employed by the Dolphin Coast Borough.
The overall aim was to document their perceptions and understanding of the attempts
to start the community garden project and the reasons for the unsuccessful operation
of the project.
Four major themes emerged from the data to exemplify the significant elements of
community involvement experienced in the attempts to start a community garden
project in the Shakashead community. These themes included: a) the structural
components required for full community participation; b) the importance of support
and training for community members; c) local leadership and its impact on
development; d) the hierarchical procedures of organisations.
The recommendations included areas for further research and several changes ID
working practices.
Description
Thesis (M.A.)-University of Natal, Durban, 2000.
Keywords
Community development--Kwazulu Natal--Shakashead--Citizen participation., Economic development projects., Community development., Theses--Social work.