HOPEACADEMY
DVA2602
Oct/Nov EXAM 2025
EXAM DATE 16 MAY 2026
2026
Oct/Nov 2025
DVA2602
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND THE BASIC NEEDS APPROACH
100 Marks
Duration 4 Hours
Starts: 22 October 2025, @ 08:00
End: 22 October 2025, @ 12:00
0 7 6 4 0 3 1 2 2 9
, DVA2602
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND THE
BASIC NEEDS APPROACH
Oct/Nov 2025 : EXAM PREPARATION
QUESTION 1
The role of different institutions involved in community development.
a.) Discuss the role of Non-governmental Organisations (NGOs) in
community development. (15)
Non-governmental Organisations (NGOs) play an important role in
community development because they help communities solve social,
economic, and environmental problems. NGOs are independent
organisations that work to improve the lives of people, especially those
who are poor and vulnerable. In many developing countries, NGOs support
communities in areas such as education, health care, poverty reduction,
food security, and skills development. Their work often complements the
efforts of governments by reaching communities that may not receive
enough support from public institutions.
One important role of NGOs in community development is poverty
alleviation. Many NGOs provide support programmes that help people
improve their standard of living. These programmes may include food
assistance, small business support, agricultural training, and access to clean
water. Brown and Kalegaonkar (2002) explain that NGOs help communities
by introducing projects that create employment opportunities and improve
local economic conditions. Through these programmes, communities are
,empowered to become more self-reliant instead of depending entirely on
government support.
NGOs also contribute greatly to education and skills development. In many
rural and disadvantaged communities, NGOs provide school materials,
scholarships, and vocational training programmes. This support helps
children and young people gain knowledge and practical skills that can
improve their future opportunities. As noted by Lewis (2014), NGOs are able
to respond quickly to community needs because they work closely with
local people. For example, some NGOs establish adult literacy classes and
youth empowerment programmes that help community members
participate fully in economic activities.
Another major role of NGOs is improving health services within
communities. In some areas, access to hospitals and clinics is limited,
especially in rural communities. NGOs assist by providing mobile clinics,
health awareness campaigns, counselling services, and support for people
living with diseases such as HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis. Edwards and Hulme
(1996) argue that NGOs are effective in promoting community health
because they focus on grassroots participation and awareness. Through
these efforts, communities become more informed about disease
prevention, nutrition, and hygiene practices.
In relation to the case study, NGOs helped address challenges faced by the
community by working together with local residents and other institutions.
The case study shows that NGOs were involved in identifying community
problems and introducing practical solutions. Instead of imposing decisions
on people, they encouraged community participation. This approach
helped residents feel included in the development process. Community
participation is important because it allows people to contribute ideas and
take ownership of projects that affect their lives.
Furthermore, NGOs act as advocates for vulnerable groups in society. They
speak on behalf of people who may not have the power or resources to
defend their rights. These groups may include women, children, people
, with disabilities, and unemployed youth. Nel and Binns (2018) point out
that NGOs help communities by promoting social justice and equality.
Through advocacy programmes, NGOs raise awareness about issues such
as gender inequality, human rights abuses, and unemployment. In many
cases, they also influence government policies by encouraging leaders to
respond to community needs.
Another important contribution of NGOs is disaster relief and humanitarian
support. During natural disasters, disease outbreaks, or economic crises,
NGOs provide emergency assistance such as food parcels, shelter,
medicine, and counselling services. Their quick response often helps
communities recover faster from difficult situations. Unlike some
government institutions that may experience delays because of
bureaucracy, NGOs are usually flexible and can act quickly when
communities need urgent help.
NGOs also strengthen partnerships within communities. They often work
together with schools, churches, local governments, businesses, and
community leaders to improve development outcomes. This cooperation
allows different institutions to combine resources and knowledge. In the
case study, partnerships between NGOs and local stakeholders helped
ensure that development projects were sustainable and beneficial to the
community in the long term.
However, NGOs also face some challenges in community development.
One challenge is limited funding, which may affect their ability to continue
projects. Some NGOs depend on donations from international
organisations and donors, making them financially unstable. Another
challenge is poor coordination between NGOs and government
departments. Sometimes projects may overlap or fail because of lack of
communication. Despite these challenges, NGOs continue to play a
significant role in improving the quality of life in communities.
In conclusion, NGOs are important institutions in community development
because they provide support in education, health, poverty reduction,
DVA2602
Oct/Nov EXAM 2025
EXAM DATE 16 MAY 2026
2026
Oct/Nov 2025
DVA2602
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND THE BASIC NEEDS APPROACH
100 Marks
Duration 4 Hours
Starts: 22 October 2025, @ 08:00
End: 22 October 2025, @ 12:00
0 7 6 4 0 3 1 2 2 9
, DVA2602
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND THE
BASIC NEEDS APPROACH
Oct/Nov 2025 : EXAM PREPARATION
QUESTION 1
The role of different institutions involved in community development.
a.) Discuss the role of Non-governmental Organisations (NGOs) in
community development. (15)
Non-governmental Organisations (NGOs) play an important role in
community development because they help communities solve social,
economic, and environmental problems. NGOs are independent
organisations that work to improve the lives of people, especially those
who are poor and vulnerable. In many developing countries, NGOs support
communities in areas such as education, health care, poverty reduction,
food security, and skills development. Their work often complements the
efforts of governments by reaching communities that may not receive
enough support from public institutions.
One important role of NGOs in community development is poverty
alleviation. Many NGOs provide support programmes that help people
improve their standard of living. These programmes may include food
assistance, small business support, agricultural training, and access to clean
water. Brown and Kalegaonkar (2002) explain that NGOs help communities
by introducing projects that create employment opportunities and improve
local economic conditions. Through these programmes, communities are
,empowered to become more self-reliant instead of depending entirely on
government support.
NGOs also contribute greatly to education and skills development. In many
rural and disadvantaged communities, NGOs provide school materials,
scholarships, and vocational training programmes. This support helps
children and young people gain knowledge and practical skills that can
improve their future opportunities. As noted by Lewis (2014), NGOs are able
to respond quickly to community needs because they work closely with
local people. For example, some NGOs establish adult literacy classes and
youth empowerment programmes that help community members
participate fully in economic activities.
Another major role of NGOs is improving health services within
communities. In some areas, access to hospitals and clinics is limited,
especially in rural communities. NGOs assist by providing mobile clinics,
health awareness campaigns, counselling services, and support for people
living with diseases such as HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis. Edwards and Hulme
(1996) argue that NGOs are effective in promoting community health
because they focus on grassroots participation and awareness. Through
these efforts, communities become more informed about disease
prevention, nutrition, and hygiene practices.
In relation to the case study, NGOs helped address challenges faced by the
community by working together with local residents and other institutions.
The case study shows that NGOs were involved in identifying community
problems and introducing practical solutions. Instead of imposing decisions
on people, they encouraged community participation. This approach
helped residents feel included in the development process. Community
participation is important because it allows people to contribute ideas and
take ownership of projects that affect their lives.
Furthermore, NGOs act as advocates for vulnerable groups in society. They
speak on behalf of people who may not have the power or resources to
defend their rights. These groups may include women, children, people
, with disabilities, and unemployed youth. Nel and Binns (2018) point out
that NGOs help communities by promoting social justice and equality.
Through advocacy programmes, NGOs raise awareness about issues such
as gender inequality, human rights abuses, and unemployment. In many
cases, they also influence government policies by encouraging leaders to
respond to community needs.
Another important contribution of NGOs is disaster relief and humanitarian
support. During natural disasters, disease outbreaks, or economic crises,
NGOs provide emergency assistance such as food parcels, shelter,
medicine, and counselling services. Their quick response often helps
communities recover faster from difficult situations. Unlike some
government institutions that may experience delays because of
bureaucracy, NGOs are usually flexible and can act quickly when
communities need urgent help.
NGOs also strengthen partnerships within communities. They often work
together with schools, churches, local governments, businesses, and
community leaders to improve development outcomes. This cooperation
allows different institutions to combine resources and knowledge. In the
case study, partnerships between NGOs and local stakeholders helped
ensure that development projects were sustainable and beneficial to the
community in the long term.
However, NGOs also face some challenges in community development.
One challenge is limited funding, which may affect their ability to continue
projects. Some NGOs depend on donations from international
organisations and donors, making them financially unstable. Another
challenge is poor coordination between NGOs and government
departments. Sometimes projects may overlap or fail because of lack of
communication. Despite these challenges, NGOs continue to play a
significant role in improving the quality of life in communities.
In conclusion, NGOs are important institutions in community development
because they provide support in education, health, poverty reduction,
