Exploring The Overall Practices, Opportunities And Challenges Of Local Community Associations: The Case Of Selected Iddirs In Ambo Town

Abstract

This study was focused on understanding the overall practices of local community associations (Iddirs) in Ambo town. The objectives of the study were to explore the overall practices, assess the opportunities, and identify the challenges faced by the local community associations. The study employed mixed research design. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected using questionnaire, interview and focus group discussions. Questionnaires were the major data collection tool in the study. Interviews and focus group discussions were used as supplementary data collection tools in the study. For the quantitative data, a probability sampling method, called simple random sampling was used to select participants from the members of the Iddir to respond to a questionnaire. Purposive sampling method were utilized to select the interview and focus group discussions participants. The data gathered from the questionnaire were undergo quantitative analysis, involving statistical data analysis tool known as statistical package for the social science (SPSS). The data collected through an interview and focus group discussion were subjected to qualitative analysis thematically. The findings of the study reveals that, Iddir serves as one of the most important local social institutions or platform for members residing in the same neighborhood to unite and strengthen their communal bond. In addition, the Iddirs challenged with limited resources, lack of formal training for leadership, and difficulties in maintaining consistent member engagement and participation.Besides, the members of the Iddir engaged in regardless of ethnic, and religion difference in the Iddirs selected for this particular study