Religious organisations and community welfare : the role of The good shepherd centre in Taċ-Ċawla, Gozo.

Abstract

This dissertation uses the Good Shepherd community centre in Tac-Cawla Gozo to find out how effective voluntary participation in a religious organisation can be in bringing about community cohesion. This was achieved using qualitative, case study method whereby data was collected through means of secondary sources and in-depth interviews with community members and volunteers working in this community and state agencies such as a representative of FES, local council and social worker and head teachers and guidance teachers. The main conclusion that came out of these interviews was that in the past, this Community Centre had contributed positively in the promotion and integration of marginalised groups within the community. However it seems that past achievements attained by the Good Shepherd Centre, have decreased for several reasons, resulting in the further alienation of already socially excluded social groups.