Incorporating a Cultural Perspective in Poverty Reduction

The field of development has, to date, exhibited a purposeful disregard of the unique customs and practices of the communities participating in poverty reduction. Fortunately, though, there is a growing appreciation that culture and development are interdependent processes. This research undertook an exploration of the locally specific conceptualization of poverty and the poverty reduction aspirations of a community of Maasai in Kenya. Participants included Maasai individuals engaged in an intervention - namely, a school – with Good Water, a grassroots NGO, as well as representatives of that organization and unaffiliated Maasai. The findings of this research have affirmed the importance of incorporating a cultural perspective into development. I have concluded that, in order to achieve this, intensive participation of community members is essential throughout an intervention. Community members must have the opportunity to articulate their own conceptualization of poverty and from there formulate a desirable path to achieving their unique aspirations