The role of self-help initiatives in attainment of sustainable livelihoods

Abstract

Self help initiatives have proved to be important in promoting sustainable livelihoods of the poor who are always left behind in most development interventions. Development efforts that usually aim at improving the livelihoods of the poor have continued to deprive them of their livelihoods. These poor people have tried to set up self help initiatives in order to attain viable sources of livelihoods inspite of the challenges they encounter. The ultimate end has been continued marginilisation as poor people’s expectations are not met. The few innovations the poor people have engaged in continue to fail due to lack of sustainable measures to uphold them. Development programs in most cases have not met the needs of the poor since they are not involved in program identification, design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation. It was imperative therefore to explore the role of self help initiatives with specific reference to pork roasting and other self help initiatives in Kabagarame pork market. The study was conducted in Kabagarame pork market in Kayojo cell, Bumbaire Sub County in Bushenyi District. Specifically, the study explored different self help initiatives and how these initiatives influence the livelihoods of community. The study also explored the livelihood assets that are crucial in facilitating the promotion of these efforts. It also identified various roles played by people’s initiatives in attainment of sustainable livelihoods, the challenges met and the strategies that could be adopted to mitigate the challenges which would ultimately ensure sustainable livelihoods for the rural people. The study used in-depth interviews, observation, Focus Group Discussion and documentary review methods to collect data from both primary and secondary sources respectively. A total of sixty (60) respondents were involved in the study. The data collected was mainly analysed qualitatively and supplemented by quantitative approaches. The study findings revealed that people were mainly involved in self help initiatives especially pork roasting for the case of Kabagarame, Kayojo village in Bumbaire Sub-county Bushenyi District. In addition, they were also involved in other initiatives such as sale of agricultural products, Boda Boda riding, sale of cooked food and retail businesses which have played a vital role in improving their livelihoods. Respondents indicated that, these initiatives have helped them to realise increased household incomes and savings, accumulation of wealth, food security, diversified business enterprises and people’s exposure which has improved knowledge and skills in various innovations. However, the study pointed out that livelihood assets at people’s disposal have continued to be under utilised. Other challenges reported were; limited social services like water and electricity, poor market structures, some patrons refusing to pay, high taxes charged on their small businesses and poor roads. In a nutshell, research found out that self help initiatives have enabled people to attain alternative sources of livelihoods. The study argued that self help initiatives are vital for community development since most people in Kabagarame have realised benefits despite the challenges faced. Building the capacity of people and community empowerment through awareness campaigns, provision of initial capital and business management skills should be enhanced to enable people fully utilise available resources to promote self help initiatives. Bushenyi local government should provide clean water and electricity to facilitate people’s initiatives. Government interventions like prosperity for all should be closely monitored to ensure proper accountability to the intended beneficiaries. In the end a pathway for rural transformation will have been achieved.