Research

The foundation of the Macheke Sustainability Project is research and analysis focused on actionable methodologies. Applicable literature review will serve as a bridge between theory and practice in support of poverty alleviation in Macheke. Sustainability harbors the connection between economy, environment, and community, and we will continue on that theme as an extension of the ongoing results from the action-oriented aspect of the project in Zimbabwe.

Some fundamental approaches and questions will aid our research. We will engage the role of inquiry and research in the context of focused efforts to promote social learning and change. Can we use Internet access as a catalyst for change in the village of Macheke? How can sustainability be taught and how can transformational change be achieved? How can we engage this community to take ownership of a future that sustains them? Can an economy be built on sustainable and ethical standards, even in these times of globalization, capitalism, and technology? What models can be devised to link village community living with a sustainable social business model?

Specific research initiatives span subjects from education/IT, agriculture, microfinance, history, communication, health, and social work to renewable resources. From the research done on the project, some reports, journal articles, and possibly even a book will be published. A measure of this endeavor would be an objective and subjective analysis of how people’s lives have changed with the implementation of sustainable practices. Broader applications of what is learned might include potential use in other pilot programs for communities that may be in the same desperate state of need as Macheke.