Beneficiaries’ perceptions on the usefulness of poverty eradication programmes: a case of Kweneng West area in Botswana

Abstract

The overall aim of the study was to explore the beneficiaries’ perceptions on the usefulness of poverty eradication programmes in Takatokwane, Dutlwe and Letlhakeng villages in Kweneng West area in Botswana. The study objectives sought to explore the types of poverty eradication projects that have been implemented, it further, explored the expectations that drove the beneficiaries to apply for specific PEPs and it investigated whether beneficiaries perceive poverty eradication projects to be useful or not. Finally, the research sought to establish practical challenges associated with PEP implementation and to make recommendations that can be used to ascertain the smooth implementation of the poverty eradication programmes. To address the above objectives, a mixed methods research approach was adopted guided by the concurrent triangulation research design. A sample of 66 beneficiaries was collected. Structured questionnaires and focus group discussions were used to collect data from individual and group projects beneficiaries. Stratified random sampling was used to identify beneficiaries according to represented projects. This study established that the three-legged pot hiring, small stock (goats), catering, tailoring, backyard gardening amongst several others have been implemented in Kweneng West. However, these projects have been facing many challenges which include lack of market, poor quality resources, shortages of transport for Project Officers to monitor the projects and irrelevant projects. The study concluded that most of the projects were found to be appropriate for poverty eradication but they were not sustainable because the beneficiaries found most of the projects not useful. Several strategies were recommended to ensure a smooth flow of implementation of the PEPs including supervision and monitoring of the projects. The study was influenced by the individualism and cultural theories of poverty which are based on the understanding that people are responsible for their poverty and the culture they grew up in has an impact on the way they view their poverty status.