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COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT PROJECTS AND POVERTY
ALLEVIATION IN GICUMBI DISTRICT, RWANDA
CASE STUDY: GENOCIDE SURVIVORS
BY
HABIMANA THEOGENE
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2016

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ABSTRACT
Although community empowering projects are increasing in the Least Developed Countries
(LDCs), most LDCs are characterized by the large number of poor people, identified as those
living on less than US$ 2 a day. This study is entitled the role of community empowerment
projects on poverty alleviation in Rwanda. The general objective of the study was to analyze
the effect of community empowerment projects on poverty alleviation in Gicumbi District.
Specific Objectives were to find out the benefits of community empowerment projects in
Gicumbi District; to assess the strategies used by Government to increase community capacity
building in Rwanda; and to analyze the barriers related to community empowerment projects
in Rwanda. This study adopted descriptive design to get results expected from this study. The
researcher targeted a population of 200 people, the 67 respondents (beneficiaries) were selected
from 200 beneficiaries of the project using systematic random sampling method.
Questionnaires and interview were used to collect primary data in this study. The study
recommended that community empowerment projects should be strengthened and should
expand their support to resource poor rural areas; strategies to combat the lack of empowerment
must be addressed not only the immediate need of poor rural areas but must also focus on the
root cause of rural area’s powerlessness as this study indicated.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
ABSTRACT.............................................................................................................................. ii
TABLE OF CONTENTS.........................................................................................................iii
LIST OF FIGURES .................................................................................................................. v
LIST OF ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS ................................................................ vi
DEFINITION OF KEY TERMS ............................................................................................ vii
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION....................................................................................... 1
1.0 Background Information ................................................................................................. 1
1.1 Statement of the Problem................................................................................................ 3
1.3 Objectives of the Study ................................................................................................... 4
1.3.1 General Objective......................................................................................................... 4
1.3.2 Specific Objectives....................................................................................................... 4
1.4 Research Questions ......................................................................................................... 4
1.5 Scope of the Study........................................................................................................... 5
CHAPTER TWO: REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE.................................................. 6
2.0 Introduction..................................................................................................................... 6
2.1 Related studies................................................................................................................. 6
2.2 Conceptual Framework ................................................................................................... 8
CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY ......................................................... 11
3.0 Introduction....................................................................................................................... 11
3.1 Research Design................................................................................................................ 11
3.2 Target Population.............................................................................................................. 11
3.3 Sample Design .................................................................................................................. 11

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3.3.1 Sample Size.................................................................................................................... 12
3.3.2 Sampling Techniques..................................................................................................... 12
3.4 Data Collection Methods .................................................................................................. 12
3.4.1 Data Collection Instruments .......................................................................................... 13
3.4.2 Administration of Research Instruments ....................................................................... 13
3.4.3. Validity and Reliability................................................................................................. 13
3.5. Data analysis Procedures ................................................................................................. 14
3.6 Ethical Considerations ...................................................................................................... 14
CHAPTER FOUR: SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS .......... 15
4.0 Introduction................................................................................................................... 15
4.1 Summary of Findings.................................................................................................... 15
4.1.1 The benefits of community empowerment projects in Rwanda................................ 15
4.1.2 The strategies used by Government to increase community capacity building in
Gicumbi District.................................................................................................................. 16
4.1.3 The barriers related to community empowerment projects in Rwanda .................... 16
4.2 Conclusion..................................................................................................................... 17
4.3 Recommendations......................................................................................................... 18
4.4 Suggestions for Further Study....................................................................................... 18
REFERENCES ....................................................................................................................... 19
Appendix one: Questionnaire addressed to the beneficiaries ............................................... 29
Appendix two: Interview addressed to the District staff ...................................................... 34

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LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 2.1: Conceptual Framework .......................................................................................... 9

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LIST OF ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS
CBFM : Community based forest management
CD : Community Development
IMF International Monetary Funds
LDC: Least Developed Countries
NGO : Non-Governmental Organization
PEI : Poverty-Environment Initiative
PEI : Poverty-Environment Initiative
RWF Rwandan francs
UK: United Kingdom
UN: United Nations
UNDP: United Nations Development Program
UNEP United Nations Environmental Program
UNICEF : The United Nations Children's Fund
UNRISD: United Nations Research Institute on Social Development
USAID : United States Agency for International Development
VUP : Vision 2020 Umurenge Program

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DEFINITION OF KEY TERMS
Poverty alleviation: The poverty reduction is the process of social and economic development
in a society. Poverty reduction is measured with indicators such as GDP, life expectancy,
literacy and level of employment.
Project: A project is temporary activity in that it has a defined beginning and end time, and
therefore defined scope and resources. A project is unique in that it is not a routine operation,
but a specific set of operations designed to accomplish a singular goal. So a project team often
includes people who don’t usually work together.
Access to resources: It is the opportunity to make use of something/resources for a larger gain.
Income: Money that an individual or business receives in exchange for providing a good or
service or through investing capital. Money received, especially on a regular basis, for work
or through investments.
Community empowerment: Refers to the process of enabling communities to increase
Control over their lives." Communities" are groups of people that may or may not be spatially
connected, but who share common interests, concerns or identities.

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CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
1.0 Background Information
In Africa and especially in the sub – Rwanda, development has been taking place at a slow
rate. This has been basically because African nations are faced with the problem of poverty.
Rwanda is one of the poorest countries not only in Africa but also in the whole world. Rwanda
has an area of 26 338 Km2
with a population over 11 million which increases at a rate of 2.9
annually and 56, 9% of its population is living below the poverty line. The remains, to be too
high, but can be attributed to the legacy of its recent history, years of economic decline and
governance (Ministry of Trade and industry, 2009).
In Rwanda, socioeconomic integration still need to be improved and need to be strengthen and
sustained so that whatever is being given to the historically marginalized people. Some clans
in Rwanda may still be facing ongoing poverty, segregation, unemployment and poor access
to education and health care (Economic Development And Poverty Reduction Strategy, 2013).
However some decisions were made by the different succession Governments in Rwanda to
fight against discrimination, poverty and integrate this historically marginalized group in the
Rwandan community. According to the National Social Protection Strategy, a number of
categories of the population are particularly vulnerable to poverty but historically marginalized
people are believed to experience higher levels of poverty and worse social indicators than the
general population. Rwanda has made great strides since the genocide in 1994. There is a need
of political stability and a strong political will to develop the country economically and
socially.
The colonial and post-colonial periods in Rwanda were characterized by authoritative regimes
and bad economic activities and social well-being. The consequence of the political and
administrative history was the cataclysmic genocide by 1994 a genocide planned and
effectively executed by the communities and agents of the state. The 1994 genocide worsened
poverty the more. Poverty in Rwanda is a complex phenomenon that is characterized by the
double impact of inherent structural problems that date back over the last 30 years and the
effect of the genocide in 1994. The poverty reduction and growth strategy strengthened by

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Rwanda authorities need to address the underlying structural poverty and the more
recent poverty characteristics arising out of the genocide of 1994 and thus the definition and
coverage of priority program areas for poverty reduction needs to be expanded beyond the
social sector spending on health and education to include other key economic sectors like
agriculture ,road infrastructure and therefore mainstreaming women in it whereas it ensures
that budget allocations and activities are adequately focused in these key sub-sectors
(Government of Rwanda, 2013).
As a way forward, the government of national unity has set up national poverty reduction
program, the national policy of Rwandan government is to empower government and non-
government project all needed so that to reduce as quickly as possible poverty by bringing the
population to participate in the different projects programs. Practical governance is more than
just a way to manage the interrelations within a public. However, the policy remained more of
a theory and not practiced well. Therefore, the planning and implementation of project recall
others process needed by beneficiaries but difficult to detect its important. In the goal of
straightening the different consequences of the Genocide of 1994 in the different domains of
development of the country, the Government of the unit and reconciliation of the Rwandan put
on in May 19, 1994 by the FPR political party that had just saved the Rwandan to the Genocide
planners in collaboration with the other political parties that were in Rwanda but did not have
any role in Genocide, several efforts are join in order to raise the economy of the country in
decadence Thus, several international organisms came to support the Government (Ministry
of Finance and Economic Planning, 2014)
The Non-Profit Associations, international and local NGO have intervened with visions and
differing missions but all aiming to rebuild Rwanda. Therefore, is in this framework that
several feminine associations were created by the women themselves, well heard as principal
profitable the woman, with the intention of to support the Government in the social economic
development promotion of the covered community of conflicts for the purpose of reducing the
rate of poverty Non- Government Projects is one of the strategies intended to reduce poverty
by improving the quality of production and life of people in the country, promoting the good

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utilization of resources and enhance creativity, innovatively of the people in the determination
of their economies and social well-being.
Learning to the success of Non-Government Projects in countries like china, united states of
America and among other countries where it led to the creation revenue earned by people per
year, it is important to find out what it can achieve for them (Angela, 2011). After Genocide
of Tutsi in 1994 in Rwanda, the big consequences were marked by a generalized poverty which
breadth the whole country had just been ruined on the Rwandan earth (Ministry of Finance and
Economic Planning, 2014). With the intention of to be able to face these problems, the
Government of Rwanda in collaboration with the international and local NGO the associations
of women have been created, among these NGO created after Genocide of 1994 one can quote
local NGO as follows: AVEGA Agahozo, Women for Women, Rwanda Women Network,
arct-ruhuka, DUHOZANYE, Icyuzuzo, Haguruka, etc. Even if these projects have been
created the level of poverty especially for those women and orphans genocide survivors is still
high.
1.1 Statement of the Problem
Inequity and power imbalances, adverse employment conditions and the lack of economic
opportunities or control over assets are all manifestations of peoples’ disempowerment and
contribute to their poverty, where At least 80% of humanity lives on less than $10 a day and
75% of the world’s poorest countries are located in Africa where Rwanda is located (Hidayat,
Takash & Ken, 2011).The main problems faced by Rwanda include, insufficient
accountability, lack of managerial skills, lack of access to financial resources, and the main
solution of this may be community empowerment (Hidayat, Takash& Ken, 2011). Although
community empowering projects are increasing in Rwanda, most of people are characterized
by the large number of poor people, identified as those living on less than US$ 2 a day. For
instance, in the period 1995-1999, for which data is available, 81 per cent of the population
lived on less than US$ 2 a day, while 50 per cent lived in extreme poverty, such as less than
US$ 1 a day (Binger, 2004). Several studies suggested different mechanisms that should be
used for poverty alleviation, the rate of population under poverty line is still high especially in

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rural areas of Rwanda. Moreover, although the community empowerment project were
established in Gicumbi; according to National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (2011) in
Gicumbi District, 50.7% of the population was identified as non-poor, 15.4% as poor and
33.9% as extremely poor, where these population is young genocide survivors dominated.
The report done by Governemnt of Rwanda indicated that economy has grown, the share of
children receiving education has increased. However, the country still struggles with high
levels of poverty and was ranked number 166 out of 179 countries on the UNDP HDI for 2013
(UNDP Report , 2013). It is estimated that in a population of over 11 million, around 77% are
still characterized as very poor (Economic Development And Poverty Reduction Strategy,
2013). Though one no longer refers to ethnic groups in Rwanda, there is a group of people in
society who are more marginalized with fewer opportunities than the rest of the
population.Hence, the researcher has been motivated to carry out this study in Gicumbi.
District.
1.3 Objectives of the Study
1.3.1 General Objective
The general objective of the study was to analyze the effect of community empowerment
projects on poverty alleviation in Gicumbi District.
1.3.2 Specific Objectives
i. To find out the benefits of community empowerment projects in Gicumbi District;
ii. To assess the strategies used by Government to increase community capacity building
in Rwanda;
iii. To analyze the barriers related to community empowerment projects in Rwanda
1.4 Research Questions
i. Is there any benefits of community empowerment projects in Gicumbi District?
ii. What are the strategies used by Government to increase community capacity building
in Gicumbi District?

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iii. What are the barriers related to community empowerment projects in Rwanda?
1.5 Scope of the Study
This study was conducted in Gicumbi District, Northern Province of Rwanda. The study
focused on community empowerment and poverty alleviation, especially on genocide
survivors in Gicumbi. The researcher chose this field because many community empowerment
projects still fail, while the government spends a lot of money on implementing them. This
research focused on the period of 2008 up to 2015.

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CHAPTER TWO: REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
2.0 Introduction
This chapter reviews necessary literature related to community empowerment and poverty
alleviation. This chapter consists of introduction to the chapter, conceptual framework, related
studies & gap identification, and lastly summary of the literature.
2.1 Related studies
There are various attempts in the literature to develop a comprehensive understanding of
empowerment through breaking the process down into key components. The frameworks
suggest by various authors suggests that women‘s empowerment needs to occur along the
following dimensions: economic, socio-cultural, familial/interpersonal, legal, political, and
psychological. However, these dimensions are very broad in scope, and within each dimension,
there is a range of sub-domains within which women may be empowered. So, for example, the
socio-cultural‖ dimension covers a range of empowerment sub-domains, from marriage
systems to norms regarding women‘s physical mobility, to non-familial social support systems
and networks available to women. Moreover, in order to operationalize these dimensions, one
should consider indicators at various levels of social aggregation the household and the
community, as well as regional, national, and even global levels. Plenty of research work has
been carried out at national as well as international level covering multidimensional nature of
women empowerment. Following are some reviews of significant studies.
The study of Philip and Abdillahi (2003) analyzed the role of popular participation and
community work ethic in rural development: the case of Nandi District. Their research found
that popular participation has a strong impact on development, but their research did not
establish strategies that increase community empowerment. Sango,Jane,Mike and Yam (2006)
analyzed on reducing poverty through community based forest management in Asia as part of
recent years have seen a growing interest in the role and potential of community based forest
management (CBFM) as a vehicle for poverty reduction. The aim of this study was to look that
if CBFM had the potential to help the poor cope with or even begin to move out of poverty.
Even if Sango,Jane,Mike and Yam (2006) carried out their useful study, they did not establish

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the contribution of access to resources to poverty alleviation using Pearson correlation
coefficient.
Olatunji (2009) analyzed poverty alleviation and democratic governance in Africa case study
Nigeria the purpose of this study was to examine the interface between poverty and democracy
in Africa, putting our searchlight mainly on ways poverty can be alleviated through and by
governance, especially governments with democratic coating or appellation. Even if Olatunji
(2009) carried out his study, he did not use correlational coefficient to establish the influence
of leadership on poverty alleviation in the country under study.
Thiam (2011) carried out the Renewable energy, poverty alleviation and developing nations:
Evidence from Senegal, the objective of this study was to show how resorting to renewable
technology could allow the attainment of the MDGs by facilitating energy access in remote
rural areas in Senegal. Even if Thiam (2011)carried out a paramount study, he did not use both
primary and seconadry sources to confirm the contribution of resource management to the
socio-economic development of rural areas in Senegal. Ogundele,Waidi& Hammed (2012)
analyzed entrepreneurship training and education as strategic tools for poverty reduction, the
main objective of the study was to investigate the intensity of entrepreneurship training and
education as strategic tools for poverty alleviation in Nigeria. Even if Hammed (2012) did
these studies, he did not analyze the main challenges that caused the failure of the skills based
on training using both qualitative and quantitative methods.
Mohummed & Wencong(2013) carried out the Micro-Credit and Poverty reduction a case
study Bangladesh in (2009-2010), the main purpose of this study was to give an overview
about access to micro-credit for rural poor and its impact on their poverty situation and relevant
factors related to income of the micro-credit recipients. Even ifMohummed &
Wencong(2013)carried out their study, they did not used correlational coefficient to establish
the influence of income generating projecton poverty reduction in the country under
study.Muhammad, Lums & Lahore (2013) carried out study on poverty alleviation in Pakistan,
the purpose of this study was to analyze whether poverty alleviation programs can really
empower community in the context of Pakistan.

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Sango et al.,(2006) in their study in Asia, they did not establish the contribution of access to
resources to poverty alleviation using Pearson correlation coefficient. Olatunji (2009) analyzed
poverty alleviation and democratic governance in Africa case study Nigeria, he did not used
correlational coefficient to establish the influence of leadership on poverty alleviation In the
country under study.Thiam (2011) inhis study of renewable energy, poverty alleviation and
developing nation she did not use both primary and seconadry sources to confirm the
contribution of resource management to the socio-economic development of rural areas in
Senegal. Hammed (2012). In his study foranalyzed entrepreneurship training and education as
strategic tools for poverty reduction he did not analyzed the main challenges cause the failure
of the skilles based on training using both qualitative and quantitative methods. Mohummed
& Wencong (2013) carried out the Micro-Credit and Poverty reduction a case study
Bangladesh in (2009-2010) but they did not used correlational coefficient to establish the
influence of income generating on poverty reduction in the country under study.Muhammad,
Lums & Lahore (2013) carried out poverty alleviation in Pakistan, they did not used
correlational coefficient to establish the relationship between empower women and poverty
alleviation in the country under study.
Even if Muhammad, Lums & Lahore (2013)carried out their study, they did not also used
correlational coefficient to establish the relationship between empower community and
poverty alleviation in the country under study. Hence, from the above critics the researcher
found a gap and needs to bridge it using this study. Therefore, from the above critics, the
researcher found a gap, whereby other researchers did not establish the relationship between
community empowerment and poverty alleviation in society using both primary and secondary
data. Hence, the researcher needs to bridge this gap using both quantitative and qualitative
approaches.
2.2 Conceptual Framework
This demonstrates the opportunities and activities community empowerment offer that have
bearing on poverty alleviation. It is expected that Community Empowerment and its associated
activities mentioned as independent variables, will allow community members to actively get
involved in project planning and implementation which will adversely promote effectiveness

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in project management. It should be noted however that, Community empowerment aims at
creating an environment in which community members will increase involvement in the
development of the project, which would ultimately lead to project sustainability after the
withdraw of external stakeholders. It is hoped that Community empowerment will bring closer
community members in the project activities which will ultimately lead to sustainable transfer
of resources to community ownership and control.
Figure 2.1: Conceptual Framework
Independent variable Dependent Variable
Community Empowerment Projects Poverty Alleviation
Source: Researcher developed
A conceptual framework is an analytical tool with several variations and contexts. It is used
to make conceptual distinctions and organize ideas. Strong conceptual frameworks capture
something real and do this in a way that is easy to remember and apply. The components of
variables under study are explained in the following paragraphs.
Financial resources: The money available to a business for spending in the form of cash,
liquid securities and credit lines. Before going into business, an entrepreneur needs to secure
sufficient financial resources in order to be able to operate efficiently and sufficiently well to
promote success. Therefore when project managers allow beneficiaries to have access to
financing, it cultivates more entrepreneurs to startup businesses thus reducing poverty levels.
Community participation: Community participation is a proven approach to addressing
health care issues, in projects varying from sanitation to child survival, clean water, and health
 Skill based training
 Access to resources
 Community participation
 Health improvement
 Food security
 Education access

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infrastructure. When the beneficiaries are involved in a project intended to benefit their
community, they are motivated to work hard and improve their lifestyle.
Skill based training: Skills-based training provides classroom environments where
independence, thinking skills, collaboration and active learning are developed at the same time
as knowledge is acquired. This tool is particularly important to the beneficiaries as they can
continue to use the skills for their own benefit even after the project has ended.
Health improvement: In this study health improvement is related to the minimization of any
disease or impairment. Health is also a state that allows the individual to adequately cope with
all demands of daily life (implying also the absence of disease and impairment). Lastly, health
is a state of balance, an equilibrium that an individual has established within himself and
between himself and his social and physical environment. Having access to healthcare facilities
is important in communities. When people are healthier and have health care facilities the
community has a better chance to thrive and work to reduce poverty.
Food security: Food security exists when all people, at all times, have physical and economic
access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and food preferences
for an active and healthy life. Food Security means that all people at all times have physical &
economic access to adequate amounts of nutritious, safe, and culturally appropriate foods,
which are produced in an environmentally sustainable and socially just manner, and that people
are able to make informed decisions about their food choices. Food is a basic necessity for any
human being and determines one’s health. People have more chances of thriving when they
have the necessary diet required for the human body to perform well and not become
vulnerable to diseases.
Education access: Access to education is the ability of all people to have equal opportunity
in education, regardless of their social class, gender, ethnicity background or physical and
mental disabilities. Having access to education is important in reducing poverty levels as
beneficiaries have more opportunities to improve their lives through employment after
completing their education.

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CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.0 Introduction
This chapter points out the research methodology and give a brief overview about the research
design; description of the research population and sampling procedures with inclusion and
exclusion criteria, as well as, the research instruments. It shows how the validity and the
reliability of the research instrument were controlled, and how data were gathered, managed
and analyzed.
3.1 Research Design
Creswell (1994) defines a research design as a detailed outline of how an investigation took
place. A research design has typically included how data is to be collected, what instruments
has been employed, how the instruments has been used and the intended means for analyzing
data collected. According to Burns and Grove (2003), descriptive research “is designed to
provide a picture of a situation as it naturally happens”. It may be used to justify current
practice and make judgment and also to develop theories. This study adopted descriptive
design to get results expected from this study. Thus, the research design mainly focused on
qualitative approach, but also quantitative approach was used.
3.2 Target Population
For the purpose of this work and empowerment projects in Gicumbi District, the researcher
targeted 200 most vulnerable genocide survivors. The researcher also used three staff for
interview, who did not need to mention their role in this study.
3.3 Sample Design
A sample is a smaller group obtained from accessible population. This group is carefully
selected so as to be representative of the whole population with relevant characteristics. The
study must consider a sample size that is within the cost constraint.

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3.3.1 Sample Size
This study needs to determine sample size related to the beneficiaries of the project, because
the research has limited time and cost. The researcher used Yamane formula to determine
sample size related to the population under study as follows;
𝑛 =
𝑁
1 + 𝑁𝑒2
=
200
1 + 200 ∗ 0.12
= 67
Where, N: Target population, e : Error of precision = 10%, and n = sample size
3.3.2 Sampling Techniques
The choice of sampling technique was based on the feasibility and sensibility of collecting data
to answer the research questions and to address the objectives. Quantitative researches usually
ensure sample representativeness using scientific, statistical and probabilities or random
sampling as quantitative research. 'Systematic Sampling' A type of probability sampling
method in which sample members from a larger population are selected according to a random
starting point and a fixed, periodic interval. The 67 respondents (beneficiaries) were selected
from 200 beneficiaries of the project who were genocide survivors using systematic random
sampling method, where every 3rd
person on the list of beneficiaries was included in sample.
3.4 Data Collection Methods
Data collection is the process of gathering and measuring information on variables of interest,
in an established systematic fashion that enables one to answer stated research questions and
evaluate outcomes. The instruction not to indicate names enabled the respondents to provide
credible information. The action of collecting copies of completed questionnaires copies from
the respondents was done by the researcher. The researcher ensured that questionnaires were
designed in a systematic way that can enable collection of sufficiency data.

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3.4.1 Data Collection Instruments
The data collection instruments in this research were questionnaires and interview. These were
an instrument that consisted of a set of questions where a number of people who were asked to
answer so as to provide information.
3.4.2 Administration of Research Instruments
The researcher administered the instruments through face to face conduct with respondents
who were informed the purpose of the study and were requested to express their views on the
study topic. Appointments were made with active respondents on when best to have
questionnaires filled and picked.
3.4.3. Validity and Reliability
According to Nahid (2003) the extent to which results are consistent over time and an accurate
representation of the total population under study is referred to as reliability and if the results
of a study can be reproduced under a similar methodology, then the research instrument is
considered to be reliable. Validity determines whether the research truly measures that which
it was intended to measure or how truthful the research results are. Alpha was developed by
Lee Cronbach in 1951 to provide a measure of the internal consistency of a test or scale; it is
expressed as a number between 0 and 1. Internal consistency describes the extent to which all
the items in a test measure the same concept or construct (Mohsen & Reg, 2011).The reliability
was ensured by testing the instruments for the reliability of values (Alpha values) as
recommended by Cronbach coefficient. Cronbach recommends analysis for Alpha values for
each variable under study. Alpha values for each variable under study should not be less than
0.7 for the statements in the Instruments to be deemed reliable. Therefore, a pilot study was
done in order to test reliability and found that Cronbach was 0.848. The validity of the data
collection instruments was done with the help of experts and University supervisors to correct
the questionnaire.

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3.5. Data analysis Procedures
Before analyzing the data, errors were first identified and eliminated as much as possible in
order to enable the researcher to cross examine the relationship between the questions and the
corresponding responses so as to ensure accuracy, consistency, and uniformity. This was done
immediately after administering the questionnaires in order to guard against omission. The
data analysis was done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). After collecting
data, the researcher organized the questionnaire by numbering them for validation and
checking purpose. Questions were coded and data were entered into computer system.
Processed data were stored in form of tables and charts form which meaningful information
was produced. Quantitative data was presented into table form and frequencies. For qualitative
data, the researcher wrote them into paragraphs to explain the figures. The descriptive
statistical analysis was used to analyze responses made to each research question. The
frequency and percentage were used for respondent’s profile and other general information.
3.6 Ethical Considerations
During the research, the researcher kept the honesty and integrity, in data collection and
analysis, to serve effectively the institution and the country. The researcher avoided any kind
of bias to provide relevant and reliable information. The information from respondents is
confidential.

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CHAPTER FOUR: SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND
RECOMMENDATIONS
4.0 Introduction
This chapter presents the summary of research findings, conclusions, recommendations and
suggestions for further study.
4.1 Summary of Findings
This section focuses on the summary of research objectives such as the benefits brought by
community empowerment projects in Rwanda; the strategies used by project managers to
increase community capacity building in Rwanda and the barriers related to community
empowerment projects in Rwanda.
4.1.1 The benefits of community empowerment projects in Rwanda
In relation to the first research objective, the benefits brought by community empowerment
projects in Gicumbi District. This study revealed that out of 67 respondents 40 strongly
disagreed while 27 disagreed that creating employment and economic opportunities were
among the benefits of community empowerment in Gicumbi District. The study also showed
that out of 67 respondents, 45 respondents strongly disagreed while 22 respondents agreed
with accessibility of the market,
In relation to community’s control and ownership to land, out of 67 respondents 40 respondents
strongly disagreed while 27 respondents disagreed. Furthermore, the study indicated the
perceptions of respondents on accessibility to healthcare, out of 67 respondents 21 respondents
strongly disagreed while 46 respondents disagreed that Gicumbi community have access to
healthcare.

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4.1.2 The strategies used by Government to increase community capacity building in
Gicumbi District
In relation to the second research objectives, the strategies used by project managers to increase
community capacity building in Rwanda. This study found that community participation is
among of the strategies used by project managers to increase community capacity building
where out of 67 respondents 31 respondents strongly agreed and 36 respondents agreed. The
study also presents perceptions of respondents on skill based training, where out of 67
respondents 10 respondents strongly agreed and 57 respondents disagreed. It also analyzed
income generating activities, where out of 67 respondents 21 respondents strongly agreed and
46 respondents disagreed. Moreover, capacity building was analyzed and found that out of 67
respondents 61 respondents agreed while 6 respondents were undecided. Moreover, the study
revealed that skilled technicians needed to be used, where out of 67 respondents 53 respondents
strongly agreed and 14 respondents disagreed. Furthermore, out of 67 respondents 5
respondents strongly agreed while 62 respondents disagreed that team work is among of the
strategies used by project managers to increase community capacity building in Gicumbi
District.
4.1.3 The barriers related to community empowerment projects in Rwanda
In relation to the third research objective, the barriers related to community empowerment
projects in Rwanda. The study shows perceptions of respondents on lack of financial resources
as among the barriers related to community empowerment projects, where out of 67
respondents 36 respondents strongly agreed while 31 respondents agreed. The study also found
that lack of managerial skills as among of the barriers related to community empowerment
projects in Rwanda, out of 67 respondents 46 respondents agreed while 21 respondents
strongly disagreed. In relation to lack of accountability, out of 67 respondents 22 respondents
strongly agreed while 45 respondents agreed that lack of accountability is among of the barrier
faced community empowerment projects. Moreover, the study indicated perceptions of
respondents on poor co-ordination of the projects as among the barriers related to community
empowerment projects in Rwanda, out of 67 respondents 35 respondents strongly agreed while
32 respondents disagreed. Furthermore, the study presents perceptions of respondents on poor

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management of available resources, out of 67 respondents 36 respondents strongly agreed
while 31 respondents agreed.
4.2 Conclusion
From the findings of this study, it is concluded that the empowerment projects are backbone
of economic growth and poverty reduction of Rwanda , projects played important role for
poverty reduction in rural area through to the innovation in development which play important
role for improvement of the range and quality of products on offer and develop also the ways
for making goods, furthermore it leads to the poverty reduction which played important role
for economic growth of country by providing food stability and for food production as
processes benefit from continual advancements in socio-welfare. The study made partial
conclusions according the research questions as indicated in the following paragraphs;
In relation to the first research question, the benefits of community empowerment projects in
Gicumbi District; the study concluded that community empowerment projects in Gicumbi
District did not reduce poverty and suffering, did not create employment and economic
opportunities, did not develop healthy lifestyle options and food security, community’s control
and ownership, community’s decision-making, education access and accessibility to clean
water are big problem in Gicumbi District as this study indicated.
In relation to the second research question, the strategies used by Government of Rwanda to
increase community capacity building. The study concluded that community participation,
skill based training, income generating activities, resources management, capacity building,
skilled technicians, strategy formulation, mobilization and team work should be the strategies
used by project managers to increase community capacity building, but Government of
Rwanda did not apply this in Gicumbi District.
According to the third research question, the barriers related to community empowerment in
Gicumbi District. The study concluded that lack of good governance, bad leadership style,
human discrimination , lack of access and ownership to land, lack of financial resources, lack

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of managerial skills, lack of accountability, community capacity, regulatory frameworks, and
poor co-ordination of the projects, poor management, a diminishing teamwork, spirit and a
decline in commitment to community projects are the barriers related to community
empowerment in Gicumbi District.
4.3 Recommendations.
According to the research findings, community empowerment projects can be used to
address the complex relationships affecting poverty reduction. In the light of above study
conducted, following are the policy recommendation:
community empowerment projects approach as a strategy and approach to empowering rural
areas should be scaled up to poor households in Rwanda since results of the study show that
this was effective; to establish a legal framework to improve products of agriculture, so as to
satisfy both local and international markets and promote entrepreneur aspects, community
empowerment projects should be strengthened and should expand their support to resource
poor rural areas; strategies to combat the lack of empowerment must be addressed not only the
immediate need of poor rural areas but must also focus on the root cause of rural area’s
powerlessness; incorporate programmatic elements such as literacy, skill based training or
leadership opportunities that contribute to rural area’s empowerment.
4.4 Suggestions for Further Study
Considering that the geographical coverage of the study was relatively small and in line with
the positive results of the research it is recommended that this research be extended to other
income generating projects targeting rural areas in Rwanda so as to safely generalize and
sustain the conclusions of this study. There could be many aspects to explain the empowerment
of rural community in addition to other issues which this study has not addressed. This research
could not look into all aspects of access to resources, decision making and enhancing
leadership.

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APPENDICES

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Appendix one: Questionnaire addressed to the beneficiaries
Dear Sir/Madam
My names are Habimana Theogene, we are carrying out a study on the role of community
empowerment projects in poverty alleviation in Rwanda. You have been selected to take part
in this study because of your membership and technical knowledge on this project, you are
therefore kindly requested to spare some of your valuable time and respond to these questions.
Note that all responses including your identity will be treated with most confidentiality and
shall be exclusively for purposes of this study.
Thank you.
Researcher : Habimana Theogene
A. Instructions For Responding To Questions
Please complete this questionnaire according to this approach: To better respond to questions,
it is recommended that you mark the letter (V) in the appropriate box and that for all possible
answers
B. Identification
Age
[18 - 23] Years [ ]
[24 - 29] Years [ ]
Gender
Male [ ]
Female [ ]
Levels of agreement or disagreement
Likert five point of scale;
Weight scale Interpretation Description

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 Strongly agree Agreeing without doubt
 Agree Agreeing with some doubt
 Undecided Don’t know
 Disagree Disagreeing with some doubt
 Strongly disagree Disagreeing without doubt
C. Questions Related to Objectives to Be Filled By Beneficiaries
1. The benefits brought by community empowerment projects in Gicumbi
The following are the benefits brought by community empowerment projects in Gicumbi, in
relation to your level of perception, fill the following table using;
Strongly agree = 1, Agree = 2, Undecided = 3, Disagree = 4 and strongly disagree = 5
Benefits brought by community empowerment projects 1 2 3 4 5
Reduce poverty and suffering
Create employment and economic opportunities
Achieve social, economic, cultural and environmental goals
together
Develop healthy lifestyle options and food security
Community’s control and ownership
Community’s decision-making

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Education access
Accessibility to clean water,
Accessibility to energy
Accessibility to communication
Accessibility to transport
Accessibility to financial services
Accessibility to the market
Comment (optional) ……………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………….……………………….
……………………..…………………………………………………….……………………..
2. The strategies used by project managers to increase community capacity
building in Gicumbi;
The following the strategies used by project managers to increase community
capacity building in Gicumbi in relation to your level of perception, fill the following
table using;
Strongly agree = 1, Agree = 2, Undecided = 3, Disagree=4 and Strongly disagree=5
Strategies used by project managers 1 2 3 4 5
Community participation
Skill based training
Income generating activities
Resources Management
Capacity Building

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Monitoring and Evaluation
Skilled technicians
Strategy formulation
Mobilization
Team work
Comment (optional) ……………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………….……………………….
……………………..…………………………………………………….……………………..
3. The barriers related to community empowerment projects in Gicumbi;
The following are the barrier related to community empowerment project in Gicumbi in
relation to your level of perception, fill the following table using;
Strongly agree = 1, Agree = 2, Undecided = 3, Disagree=4 and Strongly disagree=5
The barriers related to community
empowerment projects in Gicumbi
1 2 3 4 5
Bad leadership style
Lack of good governance
Lack of financial resources
Lack of managerial skills
Lack of accountability
Community capacity
Regulatory frameworks
Poor co-ordination
Poor management

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A diminishing teamwork
Lack of training
Comment (optional) ……………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………..
………………………………………………………………………………………………
…..
Thank you

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Appendix two: Interview addressed to the District staff
Institution of work………………………………………………………………….
Education Level…………………………………………………………
Position…………………………………………………………………..
Gender: Male Female
1. What role did you play in the implementation of the Gicumbi District ?
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
2. What strategies, if any, did you use to improve community capacity building in Gicumbi
District ?
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………

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3. In your opinion, what are the benefits of the Gicumbi development projects to the
community?
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
4.What was the success rate of the project in relation to meeting its objectives?
a. < 50%
b. 50%-59%
c. 60%-70%
d. 71%-80%
e. >81%
5. In your opinion, what main factors are responsible for the results achieved in question 4
above?
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………......
.....................................................................................................................................................
6. In your opinion, what barriers did you face in the implementation of the Gicumbi
development project?
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
Did you involve the beneficiaries of the Gicumbi development project in the planning of the
project?
a. Yes b. No

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If yes, how were they involved in the planning process?
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
7. Did you involve the beneficiaries of the Gicumbi development project in the
implementation of the project?
a. Yes b. No
If yes, how were they involved in the implementation process?
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
9. Do you think community empowerment through this project in Gicumbi has helped to
reduce poverty there? (Explain your opinion)
a. Yes b. No
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
10. From your experience with Gicumbi development project, what suggestions do you have
that would improve similar projects in Rwanda in the future?
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………

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…………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………….
***Thank you for your kind cooperation***