Social development: theory, practice and evaluation
- Authors: Henderson, Thelma M
- Date: 1992
- Subjects: Social service -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Social service -- Evaluation , Community development -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Rhodes University. Centre for Social Development
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:697 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006418
- Description: Prior to 1976 few facilities and projects existed to serve the underprivileged communities in Grahamstown. Numerous attempts to establish development programmes had failed. From 1976 to 1981 informal attempts were initiated and a number of community based facilities were established. From 1981 to 1991 the Centre for Social Development assumed responsibility for this work and was able, with an enlarged staff, to inaugurate a wide range of projects and programmes. These cater to thousands of deprived people and enable them and their children to realise an improved quality of life. The dynamic processes and policies which have been employed are investigated. The value of this work is noteworthy because of the limited number of research papers on indigenous grassroots development projects in South Africa. The methods which have been utilised to enable unemployed people to play meaningful roles in their own communities are investigated. These include the establishment of much needed facilities and the in-service training of workers and committee teams to run and service them. Of particular importance is the role and structure of the Centre as an umbrella and resource organisation. The work of the Centre and its projects is described and evaluated. The qualitative, quantitative, exploratory and descriptive methods are used. The relationships between social welfare, community work and social planning are considered in relation to the theoretical base of the Centre. The situation in the Black and Coloured townships of Grahamstown, where most of the projects are located, is described with special reference to population, housing, basic services, crime and disease. Reasons for the high unemployment rates are enumerated. Various development models are described and their strengths and weaknesses assessed. Of particular significance are the origins of the Centre, the qualities brought to the project by the founding Director, its fundraising techniques, and procedures for training, supervision and project support. Aspects of development strategy not stressed in the literature, but of particular importance in the South African situation, are highlighted. These include the basic necessity for adequate financing, the provision of bursaries for tertiary study, the importance of nutritious food, the creation of job opportunities and the value of child centred projects as an access to the wider community. The necessity of financial control in the individual projects is also stressed. The primary aim of this work is to ascertain how projects have been established and maintained in a community where nothing on this scale has been attempted before. A secondary objective has been to find the theoretical base that best suits the work of the Centre. This is the social planning model in the social welfare field
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Directory of welfare, religious and service organisations, social and sporting clubs and other societies and councils in Grahamstown
- Authors: Henderson, Thelma M
- Date: 1980
- Subjects: Associations, institutions, etc. -- South Africa -- Grahamstown -- Directories Social service -- South Africa -- Grahamstown -- Directories Church buildings -- South Africa -- Grahamstown Community education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Sports -- South Africa -- South Africa -- Grahamstown Social service -- South Africa -- Grahamstown Charities -- South Africa -- Grahamstown Societies -- South Africa -- Grahamstown Grahamstown -- South Africa -- Social conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Book , Text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/2790 , vital:20326 , ISBN 0868100293
- Description: This initial attempt to compile a register of the various and numerous organisations in Grahamstown has been undertaken by the Albany branch of the National Council of Women. It has been my pleasure as president to research and edit this work. 1 must stress that this is neither complete nor all-embracing, but it was decided to publish now in order that the information which has presently been assembled be reasonably up to date. Where details concerning a particular society or group are scant a space has been left for interested readers to insert independently any additional information they are able to secure. Should the general public wish this to be an annual publication the NCW will be prepared to undertake the work. With this in mind I shall be most grateful to receive the details of any groups which have been inadvertently omitted as well as changed information regarding those groups which have been included. I hope that Grahamstonians will enjoy perusing this list of so many different kinds of involvement. It would be interesting to know whether we hold some kind of record in this regard. We are a small community, but most interests are represented and there is something for practically everyone. It is hoped that newcomers to the city will make use of this directory to make contact with the sporting club, service group or social association that best suits their interests and inclinations. , Digitised by Rhodes University Library on behalf of the Institute of Social and Economic Research (ISER)
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