Factors Affecting Implementation of Ngo Supported Projects in Urban Low Income Settlements: the Case of St. Vincent’s Children Foundation in Nairobi County

Abstract

The study sought to establish the factors affecting implementation of NGO supported projects in urban low income settlements: the case of St. Vincent‘s Children Foundation in Nairobi County. Specifically the study sought; to examine the characteristics of the children assisted by the Foundation, to identify the characteristics of recruitment and performance of the Foundation‘s staff and its effect on implementation of the projects, to establish the projects implemented by the Foundation and their effect on the well-being of the children, to find out the nature of intervention used by the Foundation‘s staff in their work with the children and to examine the funding arrangements for the foundation and their effect on performance of the Foundation. The study was based on the theory of planned behavior and the strategic project management theory. The theory of planned behavior states that the behavior of an individual is driven by his intentions which are a function of his perceived behavioral control, attitude towards the behavior and the subjective norms. The Strategic Project Management Theory by Jamison and Morris (2003) explains a sequence of processes, practices, procedures, behaviors and tools which shows the extent to which a company is able to create effective relationships with the practices of project management and business when they are considered collectively. The study design was descriptive and a sample of 55 pupils and 15 staff members was selected. The study used questionnaires to collect data which was analyzed using SPSS, excel, Ms word and content analysis. The results were presented using tables and prose for for interpretation and reporting. The study found that the Foundation‘s projects included provision of shelter, food, education and clothes to the needy children as well as counseling services to needy parents. It was evident that the Foundation had several sources of funding which included well-wishers, donors and fund raising. While a half of the staff noted that the sources were unreliable and another half noted that the funds obtained from the sources were reliable and adequate. Foundation sourced its funds for the projects from, donations from well – wishers, local fundraising through dinner events, get together, local market and corporate institutions and donors. The funds assisted in key operations of the organization such as supporting basic needs for example school supplies, purchase of uniforms for pre-school children and running of the school‘s activities. Therefore the study recommends that, the foundation should ensure that all its funding mechanisms are improved in order to provide adequate support to the beneficiaries. Further the management should come up with programmes to conduct civic education for adults residing in the area so as to ensure that their interventions on the children‘s lives is complimented at home. Finally, the staff should work hard to bring more children to the institution to ensure that all the needy children in Kibera are taken care of.