Influence of Street Connected Children Rehabilitation Projects on Development of Holistic Children in Kenya: a Case of Kilifi County.

Abstract

The main purpose of this study was to examine the influence of street connected children rehabilitation projects on developing holistic children in Kenya; a case of Kilifi County. The study was guided by the following four specific objectives: to establish how life skills training influence the development of holistic children in Kenya-a case of street connected children in Kilifi County; to ascertain how basic education provision influences the development of holistic children in Kenya-a case of street connected children in Kilifi County; to identify how vocational skills training influence the development of holistic children in Kenya-a case of street connected children in Kilifi County; and to access how drug rehabilitation influence the development of holistic children in Kenya-a case of street connected children in Kilifi County. The study was framed within the empowerment theory, psychosocial development theory and the moral development. The design of the study was a descriptive survey. The target population of the study was 100 respondents. This study was a census since the population of study was small. The data collection instrument for the primary data was a structured questionnaire and interview schedule. Data was analyzed by use of SPSS version 25.0 and multiple regression analysis was carried out to test the hypothesis. Results indicated that, in relation to the first objective that sought to establish how life skills training influence development of holistic children in Kilifi County, all the manager respondents (100%) supported the idea that life skills training influence development of holistic children in Kilifi County. In testing the hypothesis, the H0 was rejected and instead the H1 was accepted. Therefore, life skills training have a significant influence on the development of holistic children in Kilifi County (β = 0.237; t = 7.616; p=0.007 < 0.05). In relation to the second objective that sought to ascertain how basic education provision influence development of holistic children in Kilifi county, a positive relationship was established. When testing the hypothesis, the H0 was rejected and instead the H1 was accepted. Therefore, basic education provision has a significant influence on the development of holistic children in Kilifi County (β = 0. 113; t = 5.306; p=0.008< 0.05). The third study objective sought to identify how vocational skills training influence development of holistic children in Kilifi county. Results indicated that100% of the center managers strongly supported the idea that they have been offering vocational skills training and this has played a very crucial role in developing a holistic child. When the hypothesis was tested, the H0 was rejected and instead the H1 was accepted. Therefore, vocational skills training has a significant influence on the development of holistic children in Kilifi County (β = 0. 454; t = 17.221; p=0. 002< 0.05). In relation to the objective that touched on drug rehabilitation strategies, when testing the hypothesis, the H0 was rejected and instead the H1 was accepted. Therefore, drug rehabilitation strategies have a significant influence on the development of holistic children in Kilifi County (β = 0. 250; t = 9.746; p=0. 000< 0.05). It was recommended that: the staff handling the various life skills training should familiarize themselves with the needs of street connected children. Further, it was recommended for a well-structured curriculum that takes care of the individual needs of each and every street connected child. The researcher also recommended for well laid guidelines on developing vocational training centers within the reach of the children in the rehabilitation centers for better results. The researcher also recommended for the involvement of the various governmental and NGOs’ agencies in designing drug and xii substance abuse reformation in the centers so as to help the children who have been abusing drugs to stop.