The role of the Catholic Church in poverty alleviation: the case of Kopanong Municipality, Free State
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Date
2021
Authors
Lebofa, Augustinus Molikeng
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of the Free State
Abstract
The Catholic Church throughout the world has a long and eventful history in poverty alleviation, through works of charity and development in fulfilment of its mission of advocacy and adherence to the Catholic Social Teaching option for the poor. Kopanong Local Municipality is one of the rural municipalities in South Africa in which a number of poverty alleviation strategies have been implemented. Despite these strategies, however, poverty seems to be on the rise. This study’s aim was to further understand the role of the Catholic Church in poverty alleviation in Kopanong Local Municipality in the Free State. Through a review of literature, interviews and focus group discussions, the study was able to find that the Catholic Church, through its strategies and programmes such as Rural Development Support programmes, the Rural Education Access Programme, and other charitable works, has to some extent managed to help the poor. However, it is through a better understanding of poverty and poverty alleviation, and through the implementation of social justice programmes and the improvement of social development programmes, that the Catholic Church could effectively improve livelihoods.
Description
Dissertation (MDS (Development Studies))--University of the Free State, 2021
Keywords
Catholic Church, Poverty alleviation, Human-centred development, Empowerment -- Rural Community, Sustainability -- Kopanong Local Municipality