Community Participation Rural Health Development: A Case Study of Nakuru District in Kenya
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Date
2001-03-31
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Tangaza University College
Abstract
Community constitutes the people living in one locality. In our study context, it
refers to rural communities, that is, people living in the rural areas. Participation is taking
part, being or becoming actively involved in something or some work. Community
participation is, therefore, the active involvement of the whole people in the affairs or
realities of concern to their community. Everyone takes part actively in every activity or
organisation in that particular community. People become their own agents of
development. The community participation for rural transformation is taken as the
people's involvement in development projects by contributing human labour and material
resources. It also includes the involvement of the same people in identifying their needs
for development From there, the planning of a project or programme is undertaken. On
this, Francis Wainbugu comments, "Common people are seldom consulted in the
formulation of the plans and programmes and fixing of priorities". Need arises to
acknowledge involving people in development projects that concern them at all crucial
levels, namely, designing/planning, implementation and evaluation. In order to be
genuine, this community participation should be present. The rural communities should
be empowered to solve by themselves, their own problems. If it so, human development
becomes totally genuine and embraces the whole person physically, emotionally.
psychologically and spiritually. Their daily physical needs especially shelter, food, water,
heat and security are addressed. Psychologically and emotionally love, care and
company They also have need for personal relationship with the supernatural being. This
search for truth about ultimate concerns and the mystery of life, death and God constitute
the vital spiritual development
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Keywords
Health Development, Rural, Community Participation, Voluntary