Non- governmental organizations support services and their effects on retention of orphaned and vulnerable children in secondary schools in Kakamega municipality

Abstract

Orphan and vulnerable children face a lot of challenges in sub-Saharan Africa. One of the challenges orphan and vulnerable children (OVC) face is losing schooling opportunities. Efforts to combat and address theOVC problem of poor schooling and extent of the response by Non-governmental organizations (NGO) have not been fully documented in Kenya. This thesis begins to address this gap by presenting a case of NGO support and retention of Ov'C in secondary schools of Kakamega Municipality. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of NGO support services on retention of OVC in secondary schools in Kakamega Municipality. The study sought to establish major beneficiaries of non-governmental organizations support services among the OVC in secondary schools. It also sought to determine the influence ofNGOS in retaining OVC in secondary schools. The study adopted a descriptive survey and was guided by building social capital theory by Knoke (1999). The theory stipulates that norms, social networks, solidarity and civic association affect relations among people and are an asset for the individual and collective production of well being. The schools were categorized into boarding and day schools and NGOs categorized into; residential, non residential and home based. A sample of; five secondary schools, seven NGOS and ninety three students were selected by stratified random sampling from a population of eleven secondary schools, forty one NGOS and eight hundred orphaned and vulnerable children. Questionnaires, interviews focused group discussions and document analysis schedules were used to collect data from sampled; school principals, student OVC and NGOs managers. Data was analyzed by use of descriptive and inferential statistics. Chisquare (X2) test was used to establish the relationship between NGOS supports services and retention of OVC in secondary schools. The findings revealed that 28% of students are OVC. 28% of OVC benefit from NGOS services of whom 69% are boys and 31% are girls. Study also finds out that NGO services like paying school fees, provision of food and guiding and counseling play a significant role in retaining students. The study shows that home, school and sponsor factors affect retention of OVC. Strategies identified to improve OVC welfare include; capacity building to sensitize caregivers, teachers and other students on OVC welfare and introduction of OVC welfare forums. Chi-square test indicates a significant relationship between variables (paying fees, provision of basic needs and guiding and counseling) and retention of OVC at a significant level of 05%. The study recommends that the government should strengthen care and coping capacities of families and communities and allocate more funds to increase OVC retention in secondary schools.