STRATEGIES TOWARDS SELF-RELIANCE IN MISSION-ESTABLISHED INSTITUTIONS: A CASE STUDY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF EAST AFRICA ‘JITEGEMEA’ APPROACH

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore the concept of self reliance, penetrate into the dependency problem and unearth its real root causes, how it developed over time, its negative effects and what sustains its prevalence long after the missionaries are gone. The study further purposed to examine the available literature on the subject and examine what different scholars say about this kind of dependency and identify the gaps that have not been filled. This study also examined one of the few success stories of some Christian organizations that have almost managed to overcome dependency and are almost 100 per cent self-reliant. This was done by conducting a case-study of how the Presbyterian Church of East Africa has used the Jitegemea (Swahili for Self reliance) approach to fight unhealthy dependency.