1.2 Statement of the Problem
Poverty has been regarded as a social problem that has
significantly affected a magnitude of people across cultures. To this end,
heated debates have been generated with regards the possible and viable ways of
eradicating the problem. However, foreign aid has been proposed as an ultimate
solution that can in turn propel the developmental proper shaft in the
socio-economic horizons. The problem has thus arisen in the legitimacy aspects
with regards the efficacy of foreign aid in enhancing, facilitating or
propelling as well as promoting socio-economic development particularly through
the eradication of extreme poverty and hunger to zero levels.
Rwanda has an increase in the depth of poverty in its several
areas and a deterioration of living conditions at the bottom of the income
distribution. As a consequence of rising inequality, Rwanda could have
exhausted its ability to reduce poverty rates through economic growth alone.
Growing inequality is not only an obstacle to poverty reduction and sustainable
economic growth; it could also undermine social peace. The problem would thus
be stated: Does foreign
aid have an impact in fighting SRY7TVIQ5EKuCI7TIEC5
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economic development?
1.3 Research Questions
This study seeks to answer or address the following key research
questions:
1.3.1 What is the effect of poverty and hunger
on Rwanda?s socio-economic development?
1.3.2 Does foreign aid enhance Rwanda?s
socio-economic development?
1.3.3 Do citizens of Rwanda appreciate the
introduction of MDGs as guiding principles for poverty alleviation?
1.3.4 How effective are Rwanda?s strategic
policies on poverty reduction?
1.3.5 How sustainable is foreign-donor
assistance towards the reduction of
poverty and hunger; and how do the beneficiaries evaluate the
impact of such foreign aid on the local and national socio-economic
development?
1.4 Objectives of the Study
The study seeks to:
1.4.1 Assess the extent of poverty in Rwanda in
general and in Gasabo District in particular following the adoption of MDGs.
1.4.2 Examine the causal relationship between
foreign aid and Rwanda?s socioeconomic development.
1.4.3 Evaluate the effectiveness of Rwanda?s
poverty reduction policies and
strategies against its adoption of MDGs framework through foreign
aid. 1.4.4 Establish strategies for both donor community and
Rwanda for sustainable
development through poverty reduction.
1.5 Assumptions of the Study
The study is guided by the following assumptions:
1.5.1 Poverty and hunger has a number of effects
on Rwanda? socio economic development
1.5.2 Citizen of Rwanda appreciate MDGs at
different levels
1.5.3 Foreign aid might enhance Rwanda
socio-economic development
1.5.4 If effective policies and legislatives are
introduced to combat poverty,
Rwanda?s socio-economic development will be
attained
1.5.5 If foreign aid assists Rwanda in its
poverty program alleviation, there will be sustainable development.
1.5.6 The overall assumption is therefore
that: The Superpowers (US and its allies) and financial institutions give aid
with inhibiting conditional ties that still determine the nature of development
in LDCs such as Rwanda.
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