The Church and Economic Poverty Reduction in Western Equatoria Internal Province the Episcopal Church of South Sudan

Abstract

This study was conducted on the Church and Poverty reduction in Western Equatoria Internal Province. It addresses the problem of persistence of economic poverty with the overall aim of analysing why there is persistence of economic poverty, which included investigating the state of economic poverty, analysing the role of the Church in reduction of economic poverty and exploring why there is persistence of economic poverty in Western Equatoria Internal Province. Quantitative approach was employed, with guided questions in the questionnaires to collect information through focus group discussion, interviews and literature review. Findings on the state of economic poverty include; illiteracy, insecurity, external factors, lack of resources, diseases and others. The effects of economic poverty on the community are that; people have no stable income, they do not have a daily source of income, no access to school, fees are not paid, children enrolled in primary and secondary do not finish their studies, and some children have not been enrolled in school. On the persistence of poverty findings are; illiteracy, poor governance, polygamy, insecurity, laziness; inequality in all its forms, lack of visionary leadership, cultural values, negative attitude towards change, and inadequate share policies. The recommendations are that; the Internal Province need to come out with a policy to reduce illiteracy, lobby and advocate for peace, develop early preparedness strategies, promote resource mobilization program strategies, focus on preventive health approaches, sensitize communities on poverty reduction, and promote small business programs in the Internal Province.