The Surge of Faith Based Organizations in Postcolonial Zimbabwe

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1.1 BACKGROUND OF STUDY There has been a surge of Faith Based Organisations in Postcolonial Zimbabwe. FBOs have contributed positively to the Zimbabwean society although they have been over looked and little study has been done concerning these organisations, only secular organisations have been well studied and thus unfair on the part of FBOs. FBOs are hinged on a religious backbone in the work that it is involved in unlike Non Governmental Organisations which have no religious attachment to it. Both FBOs and NGOs maybe involved in the same work ie advocacy or Humanitarian assistance but they differ when it comes to religious tie. It is however argued that FBOs are a form of NGOs as they all focus on development and offering assistance whether financial or humanitarian. The need to address the Zimbabwean crisis drove many FBOs to actively participate and engage themselves in matters concerning the country. Organisations like Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace in Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe Council of Churches have been operating in the country before independence but from the late 1990s they were numerous organisations that were formed. The increase can be contributed to the absenteeism of rule of law which these FBOs wanted to put to an end as well as availability of Foreign Donors willing to sponsor developmental and The FBOs like Habakkuk Trust have been engaged in sustainable development projects to help economically people who need help. The organisation which is based in Bulawayo, works closely with communities in Matabeleland in sustainable development (www.habakkuktrust.org) Zimbabwe Christian Alliance (ZCA) was formed by a group of church leaders who felt that the political, economical and social challenges in Zimbab... ... middle of paper ... ... nation building and the impact of their programmes on the people of Zimbabwe. Faith Based Organiations help promoting peace, monitoring human rights abuses and as well as spreading the spirit of love, tolerance and forgiveness and hence worth studying. 1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY Theology and religious studies makes it possible investigate the role played by Faith Based organisations in Zimbabwe in dealing with the harsh socio-economic and political climate that existed in Zimbabwe since the year 2000. The researcher is going to put up a challenge among Faith Based Organisations to work together towards a common goal that is to rebuilding Zimbabwe and ensure that there is peace, economic and political development. The findings from the research will help map the way forward for FBOs in helping the common men to have a better life and living conditions

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