Community-based Tourism Enterprises Development in Kenya. An Exploration of their potential as Avenues of Poverty Reduction. (Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 2007. Vol. 15, No. 6)
Summary:
The article’s main theme was ability to make Kenyan communities self-sustainable through ownership and involvement in the process. The research regarding Kenyan communities was conducted through interviews with community members from a variety of villages. This article concentrates on the tourism industry, as a potential source of income and independence for its people through Community Based Enterprises (CBE) that Kenya is attempting to development and support. This is of great importance for the people as there is a limited choice of industries available to the country. In the past the major industry was sport hunting, but since a ban has been placed in 1977, to prevent poaching due to the increase in endangered species. This law has also created more protected areas which has limited the amount of area available for agriculture. Since the beginning of the tourism industry in Kenya, there has been reliance on external Western investors that are profit driven, which does not allow the people of the area to benefit financially or in skill development that could leave the people able to be self sustainable and independent from other nations. The position of this article suggests that assistance is necessary, to provide tools and knowledge, but limited control to ensure that they will be able to prosper once the external assistance is no longer needed. Bridging the Gap between the Kenya Communities and the Calgary Classroom:
This article relates to the conversation that we had in class recently regarding the framework that is used in the planning process of community development. The steps that the Kenyan people have taken part in were briefly outlined and there were many similarities between how they were attempting to create the Community Based Enterprises and the steps of the framework that we covered. The steps of the process that were evident included: sharing strengths and successes, their prioritizing are clear, they are willing to work hard, gained assistance of knowledgeable experts and they understand the needs of their own community. These steps are evidence that there is potential for this community to utilize the community development framework. There were also some noticeable gaps in their processes that I believe to be the root of their continued struggles to create sustainable businesses to support and grow their community. The most significant step of the community development frame work that would benefit the communities plan to develop small enterprises would be to educate the community leaders of this framework and the necessary skills to take control of the enterprises, Give empowerment to the community and gain the support of the government. It would also be beneficial to create concrete goals and facilitate good decision making by the community members. This article is both a message of warning and hope. It also stresses the importance of good intentions for the people who choose to provide aid. This can be translated to any developing communities in the world, despite the countries economic state. These same concerns and expectations could be easily applied to underdeveloped aboriginal communities in Canada. It is not that they expect organizations and the government to come in and take over; they merely require assistance to get the knowledge and tools that they lack. It would be of greater benefit to communities in financial need to provide the training to the people to create their own lucrative business models, and then provide the financial assistance with the initial startup.
This article is relevant to our society and the world today as continued efforts are given by developed nations to aid countries and people that are less fortunate. The lessons learned by this example prove to reinforce the need for assistance in making nations, such as Kenya, self-sustainable. This article indicates that the people are not looking for continued foreign aid; they are need of assistance and knowledge of the developed world to get them started. It also imperative that those that are in a position to assist others, they must do so from a place of selflessness, and not with expectations for personal gain. - and that is my 2 cents.
Dawn
This article was great choice. It shows that a community is only as strong as its weakest link. Great job on showing the importance of each member in the community. We all must chip in if we want out community to thrive.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting blog. Its so true that countries like Kenya will be in a state of need if they cannot create their own "lucrative business models" as you said. Its important to engage the community and start a change and it would be very valuable if the Kenyan people could take over and sustain a tourism-focused economy on their own. Great post Dawn!
ReplyDeleteReally well done Dawn! Personally, I really liked how you identified a fix to the problem “The most significant step of the community development frame work that would benefit the communities plan to develop small enterprises would be to educate the community leaders of this framework and the necessary skills to take control of the enterprises.” I agree that being self-sustainable is the key in order to make projects a success in developing countries! I enjoyed your two cents!
ReplyDeleteI really liked reading this Dawn. Liked how you related it back to Calgary and I think it is important to remember that this poverty not so far away from us. I think it is very important to provide aid to those who need it and I have always tried to do my part with past tragedies.
ReplyDeleteGood read!