Feasibility Study on Solar Electrification for Poverty Alleviation in Rural Communities in Southern Tanzania

Author(s):  
Amini Erasto Kweka ◽  
Fatihiya A Massawe ◽  
Sam Wambura ◽  
Djouna Mignouna
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (16) ◽  
pp. 3278
Author(s):  
Julio Mendoza-Escamilla ◽  
Francisco Hernandez-Rangel ◽  
Pedro Cruz-Alcántar ◽  
María Saavedra-Leos ◽  
Josefa Morales-Morales ◽  
...  

Worldwide, the shortage of fresh water has increased exponentially due to population growth and contamination of available water, especially in water tables that provide water for general consumption. One of the main pollutants of water is arsenic (As), present in the environment and in most mining/metallurgical processes, which is a major health risk, especially as a carcinogen. In the region of Matehuala, San Luis Potosi (SLP), Mexico, a highly productive mining area, arsenic concentrations of 138.1 mg/kg have been found in soils—6.2 times higher than what is allowed in domestic soils, while in water it is reported up to 158 mg/L, exceeding permissible limits for human consumption. In addition to As pollution, the region suffers from water shortage both in the city and in rural communities. Therefore, it is necessary to explore new technologies to provide the population with fresh water. This paper presents a feasibility study on the use of an atmospheric water generator (AWG) to capture fresh water in the region of Matehuala, SLP. The region was found to have the necessary environmental conditions to use AWGs, with an annual average relative humidity (RH) of approximately 60%. Using a mathematical model of a dehumidifier, water harvesting can be evaluated under the region’s prevailing climatic conditions. The month with lowest harvest was found to be January, with 0.89 to 3.6 L/day, while the month with largest harvest was August at 3.9 to 18 L/day and water production costs of 0.0093 and $ 0.038 USD/L, respectively. The study concludes that the use of AWGs would help alleviate water shortages, thus benefiting marginalized people or communities, preserving ecosystems and the environment.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zenong Yin ◽  
Janna Lesser ◽  
Kristi A Paiva ◽  
Jose Zapata Jr ◽  
Andrea Moreno-Vasquez ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND Access to diabetes education and resources for diabetes self-management is limited in rural communities, despite higher rates of diabetes in rural populations compared with urban populations. Technology and mobile health (mHealth) interventions can reduce barriers and improve access to diabetes education in rural communities. Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) and financial incentives can be used with mHealth interventions to increase the uptake of diabetes education; however, studies have not examined their combined use for diabetes self-management in rural settings. OBJECTIVE This two-phase Stage 1 feasibility study aimed to use a mixed methods design to examine the feasibility and acceptability of an mHealth diabetes education program combining SBIRT and financial incentives to engage rural individuals. METHODS In Phase 1, we aimed to develop, adapt, and refine the intervention protocol. In Phase 2, a 3-month quasi-experimental study was conducted with individuals from 2 rural communities in South Texas. Study participants were individuals who attended free diabetes screening events in their community. Those with low or medium risk received health education material, whereas those with high risk or those with a previous diagnosis of diabetes participated in motivational interviewing and enrolled in the 6-week mHealth Diabetes Self-Management Education Program under either an unconditional or aversion incentive contract. The participants returned for a 3-month follow-up. Feasibility and acceptability of the intervention were determined by the rate of participant recruitment and retention, the fidelity of program delivery and compliance, and the participant’s satisfaction with the intervention program. RESULTS Of the 98 screened rural community members in South Texas, 72 individuals met the study eligibility and 62 individuals agreed to enroll in the study. The sample was predominately female and Hispanic, with an average age of 52.6 years. The feedback from study participants indicated high levels of satisfaction with the mHealth diabetes education program. In the poststudy survey, the participants reported high levels of confidence to continue lifestyle modifications, that is, weight loss, physical activity, and diet. The retention rate was 50% at the 3-month follow-up. Participation in the intervention was high at the beginning and dissipated in the later weeks regardless of the incentive contract type. Positive changes were observed in weight (mean -2.64, SD 6.01; <i>P</i>&lt;.05) and glycemic control index (-.30; <i>P</i>&lt;.05) in all participants from baseline to follow-up. CONCLUSIONS The finding showed strong feasibility and acceptability of study recruitment and enrollment. The participants’ participation and retention were reasonable given the unforeseen events that impacted the study communities during the study period. Combining mHealth with SBIRT has the potential to reach individuals with need to participate in diabetes education in rural communities.


2014 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 229-243 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ibrahim Ajagunna ◽  
Fritz Pinnock ◽  
Robert Kerr

Purpose – This paper aims to examine how “wilderness tourism” is being successfully used to promote tourism development in the economically depressed community of Bangor Ridge in Jamaica. Through this promotion, its sponsor, Sun Venture Tours, has been able to create employment for local residents and in so doing, contribute to community development and poverty alleviation. The company has also been able to demonstrate that local entrepreneurs have the capacity to address issues in their communities with little or no reliance on government. Design/methodology/approach – The paper employs a qualitative research methodology using both primary and secondary data. The study focuses specifically on Bangor Ridge in Jamaica with Costa Rica and Belize used as comparators. Findings – This paper concludes that the exclusion of heritage assets from the government's development strategies for tourism in Jamaica has resulted in economic and social stagnation and a decline in economic opportunities for rural communities on the island where unemployment and poverty are rife. It argues that there is a strong case for consultation among all stakeholders as to the value of the country's natural assets and the future of tourism in Jamaica. The paper observes that tourism cannot be sustained unless Jamaica's natural assets are preserved and carefully utilized. Originality/value – This paper explores topical issues and provides a case study that clearly illustrates how government could redirect its interest in terms of support to local communities whose assets form the basis for tourism products on the island.


10.2196/16683 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. e16683
Author(s):  
Zenong Yin ◽  
Janna Lesser ◽  
Kristi A Paiva ◽  
Jose Zapata Jr ◽  
Andrea Moreno-Vasquez ◽  
...  

Background Access to diabetes education and resources for diabetes self-management is limited in rural communities, despite higher rates of diabetes in rural populations compared with urban populations. Technology and mobile health (mHealth) interventions can reduce barriers and improve access to diabetes education in rural communities. Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) and financial incentives can be used with mHealth interventions to increase the uptake of diabetes education; however, studies have not examined their combined use for diabetes self-management in rural settings. Objective This two-phase Stage 1 feasibility study aimed to use a mixed methods design to examine the feasibility and acceptability of an mHealth diabetes education program combining SBIRT and financial incentives to engage rural individuals. Methods In Phase 1, we aimed to develop, adapt, and refine the intervention protocol. In Phase 2, a 3-month quasi-experimental study was conducted with individuals from 2 rural communities in South Texas. Study participants were individuals who attended free diabetes screening events in their community. Those with low or medium risk received health education material, whereas those with high risk or those with a previous diagnosis of diabetes participated in motivational interviewing and enrolled in the 6-week mHealth Diabetes Self-Management Education Program under either an unconditional or aversion incentive contract. The participants returned for a 3-month follow-up. Feasibility and acceptability of the intervention were determined by the rate of participant recruitment and retention, the fidelity of program delivery and compliance, and the participant’s satisfaction with the intervention program. Results Of the 98 screened rural community members in South Texas, 72 individuals met the study eligibility and 62 individuals agreed to enroll in the study. The sample was predominately female and Hispanic, with an average age of 52.6 years. The feedback from study participants indicated high levels of satisfaction with the mHealth diabetes education program. In the poststudy survey, the participants reported high levels of confidence to continue lifestyle modifications, that is, weight loss, physical activity, and diet. The retention rate was 50% at the 3-month follow-up. Participation in the intervention was high at the beginning and dissipated in the later weeks regardless of the incentive contract type. Positive changes were observed in weight (mean -2.64, SD 6.01; P<.05) and glycemic control index (-.30; P<.05) in all participants from baseline to follow-up. Conclusions The finding showed strong feasibility and acceptability of study recruitment and enrollment. The participants’ participation and retention were reasonable given the unforeseen events that impacted the study communities during the study period. Combining mHealth with SBIRT has the potential to reach individuals with need to participate in diabetes education in rural communities.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 99-126
Author(s):  
Siswahyudianto

Establishment "BUMDes is also intended to encourage, facilitate, protect and empower economic activities in rural areas that are based on potential" villages or activities both" develop according to the customs and culture of the local community. Village economic institutional strengthening is ultimately intended to improve the socio-economic welfare of rural communities and support the optimization of poverty alleviation programs. The vision of BUMDes "Mekar Jaya" is to realize the welfare of the people of Jabon Village through the development of economic businesses and social services, with the motto, let's build the village together. Based on village deliberations, the village empowerment program concentrates on agriculture, fisheries and computer technology for entrepreneurs.


Rural Society ◽  
1997 ◽  
Vol 7 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 37-49 ◽  
Author(s):  
John McClinton ◽  
Manohar Pawar

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
PSPM UNIQBU

The village Kalesang Program is a government business of Buru Regency to improve the lives of the village community with participatory planning patterns that come from the government and society. The Kalesang village includes the planning and implementation of Village development conducted jointly between the Government and the village community. This research is a qualitative study aimed at describing the implementation of the village's Kalesang program as a poverty alleviation instrument in rural communities. The research location focuses on Lala, Namlea and Marloso with the consideration of different social economic characters with other villages in Namlea subdistrict. The number of informant interviewed was 45 people divided into communities, village apparatus and community leaders. Analytical techniques used to follow the concept of Miles and Huberman where activities in the analysis of qualitative data are conducted interactively and continuously. The results showed that the village's Kalesang program was able to become a development instrument and empowerment that was able to foster cooperation from the Community and government to plan and implement development and to keep watching it Through active participation. The end goal of the village Kalesang in the form of poverty testing made easy in the frame of harmonization and synergy between the government and the community to cooperate in resolving the problem of Village development.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 54-61
Author(s):  
Ali Yusran ◽  
Andi Rasyid Pananrangi ◽  
Syamsul Bahri

Dana desa merupakan dana yang bersumber dari Anggaran Pendapatan dan Belanja Negara yang di peruntuhkan untuk desa dan bantuan keuangan dari APBN diharapkan akan menjadi sumber pendapatan desa untuk menunjang pembangunan yang ada di desa. Dana desa digunakan sepenuhnya untuk memfasilitasi pembangunan dan pemberdayaan masyarakat desa yang bertujuan untuk meningkatkan kesejahteraan masyarakat desa dan meningkatakan kualitas hidup serta penanggulangan kemiskinan. Tujuan penelitian ini untuk menganalisis implementasi dana desa di Desa Bolli Kecamatan Ponre Kabupaten Bone. Jenis penelitian yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini yaitu penelitian kualitatif dengan menggunakan metode penelitian deskriptif analitis. Penelitian ini menggunakan purposive sampling dalam pengambilan sampel dengan menentukan beberapa informan dengan kriteria yang telah di tentukan terlebih dahulu. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa penggunaan dana desa dalam pembangunan desa dan pemberdayaan masyarakat di Desa Bolli fokus pada prioritas pembangunan infrastruktur jalan sehingga sarana dan prasarana lain yang dibutuhkan oleh masyarakat tidak terpenuhi. Village funds are funds sourced from the State Budget which is set aside for villages and financial assistance from the State Budget is expected to be a source of village income to support the development in the village. Village funds are used fully to facilitate the development and empowerment of rural communities aimed at improving the welfare of rural communities and improving the quality of life as well as poverty alleviation. The purpose of this study was to describe the implementation of village funds in Bolli Village, Ponre District, Bone Regency. The type of the research used in this study was qualitative research using descriptive analytical research methods. This study used purposive sampling by determining several informants with predetermined criteria. The results show that the implementation of village funds for community development and empowerment in Bolli Village focuses on the priority of road infrastructure development so that other facilities and infrastructure needed by the community are not fulfilled.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 16
Author(s):  
Rizca Yunike Putri

The problems that arise in relation to the implementation of village government are human resource capacity and institutional capacity in community empowerment. It is undeniable that villages in the Border have diversity in terms of the capacity of the village human resources and village institutions. For established villages, the implementation of the Village Law and the PP Village does not raise serious problems that can actually provide space for innovation to improve the welfare of rural communities. However, another story is that villages with minimal capacity certainly need efforts so that the village government is able to do better things for its people. Especially community empowerment for poverty alleviation through increasing income of poor families. By using qualitative research methods, supported by in-depth interviews in data collection and supporting sekounder data, this study provides an illustration of how village government empowered communities in villages as well as Indonesia's border areas.Keywords: community empowerment, village government, border area


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