Influence of Rehabilitation Programmes on Behaviour Change of Street Children: a Case of Rehabilitation Programmes in Embakasi Central Constituency, Nairobi County, Kenya

Abstract

The purpose of my study was to establish how rehabilitation programmes influence behaviour change of street children in Embakasi central, Nairobi. It was guided by four objectives; to investigate how life skill competences, institutional capacity, entrepreneurship training and psychosocial support influence the behaviour change of street in that area. It also sought to determine the level of success of these programmes in rehabilitation of these street children towards change of behavior and improve their lives. The target population of the study was one hundred and ten (110) which comprised of care givers, administrators, government officials and street children in the rehabilitation centers. The study employed the descriptive survey design which collected both quantitative and qualitative data. A sample size of 86 participants was extrapolated from the targeted population using the Krejcie and Morgan Table from which stratified sampling was employed to obtain a sample for each strata. Data collection was done using questionnaires, focus group discussion guides and interview schedules. The instruments were pilot-tested using 9 questionnaires that were administered to Shauri Moyo street children rehabilitation centre which has similar characteristics as the study area. Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of 0.782 was obtained through split and half technique to check for the reliability of the instruments. Describing statistics in the form of frequencies, percentages, mean and standard deviation was used to analyze quantitative data. Inferential statistics was used to test hypothesis. Analyzed data was presented in forms of tables. The study revealed that any unit increase in training in lifeskill competencies would lead to 0.795 increase in behaviour change of street children, any level of change in institutional capacity would lead to 0.579 units change in behaviour change of street children. Similarly,any unit change in entrepreneurship training would lead to 0.675 units change in behaviour change of street children any a unit increase in psychosocial support would lead to 0.617 units change in behaviour change of street children. Life skills are necessary to thrive in this ever changing world, resourcing these centres should be at the heart of every interested stakeholder, teaching street children on entrepreneurship training is important especially in promoting self-reliance, trust among society and creating employment opportunities for self and others and psychosocial support in terms of mentorship is a key avenue towards building the confidence of street children. Collectively and as observed in this study, it is impossible to separate these 4 variables as avenues for transforming lives of street children. This is largely due to the reality that these factors are only useful when availed together as a bundled service as opposed to treating them uniquely. The study recommends the need for rehab centres to establish a follow-up mechanism.