Influence of Charitable Childrens’ Institutions Services on the Social Development of Orphaned and Vulnerable Children in Trans-nzoia County Kenya

Abstract

The plight of orphaned and vulnerable children is a matter of great concern worldwide, with the increase in pandemic diseases and decrease in life span, many children are left with no place to call home hence end up in the Charitable Children Institutions. This study sought to investigate the Influence of Charitable Children Institution on the Social Development of orphaned and vulnerable children in Transnzoia County Kenya. The objectives of the study were; to establish how education services in charitable children institution influence social development of orphaned and vulnerable children in Transnzoia County. To assess how provision of shelter in charitable children institution influence social development of orphaned and vulnerable children in Transnzoia County. To establish how provision of food in charitable children institution influence social development of orphaned and vulnerable children in Transnzoia County. To establish the extent to which guiding and counselling services in charitable children institution influence social development of orphaned and vulnerable children in Transnzoia County. The study adopted both qualitative and quantitative methods to establish the influence of charitable children institution on the social development on orphaned and vulnerable children. The research instruments used were questionnaires for the children respondents, interview guides for the staff and observation checklist. The sample size had 269 children and 32 staff who consisted of managers, directors, social workers, teachers and caregivers. These group work closely with the children. Data analysis was done using SPSS V16.0 for the questionnaires as well as some items on the interview guide and thematic analysis for the rest of the items in the interview guides. The study revealed that services offered in the charitable children institution has some influence on the social development of orphaned and vulnerable children. The services looked at were education, shelter, nutrition and guiding and counselling. The study established 6.7% of the children did not participate in extracurricular activities implying that they have issues with interacting with their peers. The ratio between the staff and the children was low hence it compromised the attention that the children are given in their respective places of stay. Moreover, 24.2% of the children stayed within the institution thought out, this category had difficulties when they were reintegrated back into the community. 53.5% found stated life at home was good while 22.3% stated it was bad. Some institution did not give balanced diet as revealed in the study 34.9% stated meals were not balanced hence children could easily contact nutrition related diseases which would affect their self-image as they fail to interact. 45.0% of the children stated that guiding and counselling helps them relate well yet the study also revealed that some institutions did not have counsellors hence the other staff doubled up to offer the services. The study recommends that the CCI’s should provide a variety of activities and also create opportunities for the children. The CCI’s should have a clear exit plan for the children which should be communicated to from the onset. Nutrition should be provided in terms of quality and provision of special diet for the children who need it because of health related issues. All the children should get medical attention and the CCI’s should carry out routine medical examination for all the children. Professional counsellor should be available on fulltime basis in order to ensure children have psychosocial assistance at their disposal.