Faith Based Organizations in Zimbabwe

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Gerard Clarke and Michael Jennings (2008: 6) define FBO as “any organization that derives inspiration and guidance for its activities from the teachings and principles of the faith or from a particular interpretation or school of thought within the faith” . In short basically FBOs are directly indirectly religiously tied organisations. FBOs also differ in terms of the kind of approach they have towards development and the ways in which they view what people need in order to live a dignified life. FBOs resemble Non Governmental Organisations and can be argued to be a form or type of NGOs because they also exist outside the structures of government. Occhipinti L (2013:6) is of the conviction that most schools of thought tend to regard FBOs as a ‘subset’ of NGOs with no clear differentiation. This view bases on the assumption that “all” FBOs are there for developmental purposes like what NGOs are into and disregards that there are FBOs who are destructive and terrorist in nature like the Boko Haram. By the virtue that FBOs are independent from government and are not a government institution already classifies them as being part of the Non Governmental Organisations. Although Rakodi C (2010) is of the view that FBOs have religious mandates whereas NGOs do not have. Basically the major difference is that FBOs have a religious core in their mission while NGOs are not influenced by religious beliefs in their mission. FBOs tend to have an extra motivational commitment to serving people and communities. Leurs (2012) is of the conviction that FBOs are able to draw spiritual and moral influences that instil value. FBOs and NGOs themselves in the same work like advocacy, charity work, offering relief aid and also focusing on developmental... ... middle of paper ... ...nflict and peace. In: Ikejiani-Clarke, Miriam ed. Peace studies and conflict resolution in Nigeria: A reader. Ibadan,Spectrum Books. Sider, Ronald J. and Heidi Rolland Unreh. 2004. “Typology of religious characteristics of social service and educational organizations and programs.” Nonprofit and Volunteer Sector Quarterly 33(1): 109-134 Wright L, 2006, the Looming Tower: Al-Qaeda and the Road to 9/11, New York, Knop http://reliefweb.int/report/zimbabwe/act-appeal-zimbabwe-drought-relief-afzw-21rev-1 Forum for Food Security in Southern Africa 2003. Zimbbawe Food Security Issue paper. http://www.odi.org.uk/sites/odi.org.uk/files/odi-assets/publications-opinion-files/5613.pdf Meikle, S., Ramasut.T.& Walker, J. (1999) Sustainable urban livelihoods: Concepts and implications for policy. London: University College London (Development Planning Unit).

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