Factors Influencing Sustainability of Community Based Projects: a Case of Health Project in Garissa County

Abstract

With an agenda of fighting poverty at the grass root, many donors and facilitators are opting to channel their funding through Community Based Projects (CBPs). These CBPs have a gestation period or life-span in all the areas or communities. This study was motivated by the fact that there are numerous efforts in the recent past of phasing out the community based projects but there is failure on the part of the communities in managing or sustaining the projects soon after the donors’ leaves. The research was set out to find out factors that affect the sustainability of CBPs in Garissa County. The objectives of the study were; to establish the influence of community participation on sustainability of community based projects a case of health project in Garissa County, to assess the influence of geographical factors on sustainability of community based projects a case of health project in Garissa County, to establish the influence of project implementers on sustainability of community based projects a case of health project in Garissa County, and to examine the influence of monitoring and evaluation on sustainability of community based projects a case of health project in Garissa County. The researcher used descriptive analysis and both qualitative and quantitative data was collected. The target population was the CBPs managers, project donors and facilitators and the projects beneficiaries. The total target population was 1045 respondents. This study adopted the stratified sampling technique. The sample population size (n) was 204 respondents. The data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire and an interview guide. The primary data was analyzed through Statistical package for Social Sciences (SPSS) as the most suitable analysis tool. The statistics derived mean, standard deviation and variance. The study found that the community participation influence sustainability of community based projects in Garissa County. In any community development there is need for cooperation between the organization and the community. The study further found that to a great extent that caring about environment which hosts a variety of geographical factors is not a luxury but a prime necessity because projects depend heavily on environment for their sustainability. The most pronounced geographical factors involve the natural resources and environmental aspects such as climate change. The study found that controller and implementers of the community based projects led by the donors, CBOs and NGOs have a major bearing on the sustainability of community based projects. Stakeholders, project staff, the community, and other resources are engaged in planning for project sustainability to achieve a successful outcome. In addition the study found that projects monitoring and evaluation reports has been instrumental in reporting the progress of the projects and in enhancing transparency and accountability. The study also established that monitoring and evaluation of projects influence sustainability of community based projects in Garissa. The study concluded that the community participation influence sustainability of community based projects in Garissa County. The study concluded that geographical factors in the environment affect the sustainability level of community based projects. The study recommended that Project managers in charge of CBPs should ensure that their operations and daily routine are not interfered by politicians and other leaders. Politicians use such organizations as battle fields that fuel envy and hatred among communities.