The Role of Non-Governmental Organizations on Rural Community Development in Rwanda; A Case of Compassion International in Gatsibo District

This research examined the role played by non-governmental organizations on rural community development in Rwanda with a case of Compassion internationals interventions and programs in Gatsibo district, eastern province of Rwanda. This research focused mainly on three main Compassion internationals development interventions; Education, economic, and health interventions that compassion does through its programs that aim at rural community development. These interventions by Compassion international aim at improved livelihoods of all the compassion sponsored children, their households and the community in general. This study will focus on Gatsibo district and particularly to Compassion supported beneficiaries; the total sample size was one hundred (182) respondents. The target population included; beneficiaries in the program from 10 child development centers (CDCs) out of 15 CDCs that compassion international supports in Gatsibo district as well as three (3) project social workers from each CDC. All these respondents were selected through random sampling. Random sampling is preferred for this study as a sampling technique because these categories of respondents are impacted for community development in different ways directly. Tools of data collection involved questionnaires and collected data was analyzed for recommendations. On data analysis researcher used the statistical tool used for to analyse data in this study was Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software. R-square is 0.909 %, this means that the intervention of Compassion International for the people of Gatsibo District influence the rural community development. The sig value (0.000) less than the level significance (0.05). The F-statistics (F=214.145) is far greater than the P-value (0.000) hence a further confirmation that aspects of financial educational interventions, health interventions and economic interventions was significantly influenced the development of rural community in Gatsibo District.100 % of respondents said that, Compassion International Rwanda provide them health insurance while 6 % said that Compasion International provide them nutrition support. This means that Compassion International does not cover the needs of their beneficiaries 100 %. The majority of respondent are disagreed that, they dont receive 100 % live stock support from Compassion International while 44 % appreciated.100 % of respondents appreciated the way Compassion International support their poor beneficiaries to get their own house. Researcher found that, all indicators, (health interventions, health interventions and educational interventions) were contributed to the development of rural community in Gatsibo District. Researcher, recommended Compassion International-Rwanda to continue supporting rural community in the area of socio economic development and supporting teenager for their education.