Abstract:
The present world is largely characterized by people who live in two opposite
extremes, namely, the poor and the rich. More often, the challenge posed by poverty
attracts the attention of governments and non-governmental organizations. Faith
communities respond to the teaching of Scripture by establishing structures that
empower the poor. The Roman Catholic Church’s commitment to empowering the
poor is found in its social teaching and practice. Social amenities offered by the
church range from provision of food, clothing, shelter, medical care and affordable
quality education. In spite of such initiatives on the part of the church, poverty is rife.
This study sought to: Explain the concept of preferential option for the poor from a
Roman Catholic perspective; find out the activities of the Catholic Diocese of Eldoret
in the realization of preferential option for poor students in secondary schools; and
identify challenges faced by the Catholic Diocese of Eldoret in its effort to realize
preferential option for the poor. The study adopted descriptive mixed method cross-
sectional design comprising qualitative and quantitative methodologies. The study
population comprised of students from all Catholic sponsored schools in Uasin Gishu
County. From the Diocesan Education Report of 2013, there were thirty-nine (39)
Catholic sponsored secondary schools in Uasin Gishu County with a student
population of 3,882 at the time of the study. The study also targeted 12 diocesan
secretariat staff, 4 county education officials, 4 executive managers of Catholic
University of Eastern Africa (CUEA), Gaba campus and 4 other priests who are
experts in Catholic social teachings. A sample of 351 students, 9 head teachers, and
28 teachers were drawn from those schools. Purposive sampling was employed in
selecting 24 key informants, 12 from Catholic Diocesan secretariat, 4 priests, 4
officials from the Ministry of Education in the County and 4 members of the
management at Catholic University of Eastern Africa (Gaba Campus). Schools were
selected using simple random sampling technique while teachers and diocesan
education officials were purposively sampled. Kathuri and Pals’ formula was
employed in sampling student population. Questionnaire and interview schedule guide
were the main tools of data collection. The data from the open-ended items in the
questionnaire and the semi-structured items in the interviews was transcribed and
qualitatively analysed using thematic approach. They were interpreted and presented
alongside quantitative data. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistic
which involved frequencies and percentages. Analysed data was presented using
cumulative frequency tables, percentages and pie charts. On the Catholic
understanding of preferential option for the poor, the results indicated that the option
was given an impetus in the New Testament through the person of Jesus Christ whose
messianic activities fulfilled what the prophets of old had foretold. Based on this
understanding, the diocese has served the community through establishing schools,
hospitals and other amenities as a way of caring for the poor. On activities in realizing
option for the poor in catholic schools, the study found that the Catholic Diocese of
Eldoret runs programmes aimed at helping poor children within its institutions. These
activities are conducted within the Church and others that are school based. Regarding
the challenges faced by the church in implementing preferential option for the poor,
most of the respondents noted that inadequate finances affected implementation of
catholic-initiated projects. The respondents indicated that the laity need to be involved
more in church projects from the onset. It is anticipated that the findings will be useful
to policy makers, the Church and all those keen on poverty alleviation. Through the
study, a scholarship programme or a revised school fees structure for learners from avi
poor background is recommended so that the poor can access quality learning. The
study also established that there are several Church-managed projects meant to
support needy students. Inadequate funds; against a high number of needy students in
schools is one of the major challenges faced by the Church. The study recommends
that the Church initiates more income generating projects in schools for sustainable
support of needy students.