Factors Influencing the Implementation of Orphaned and Vulnerable Children Education Projects in Mt. Elgon District
Abstract
Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) live in circumstances with high risks and whose
prospects for continued growth and development are seriously threatened. Intended realization of
OVC interventions have not been attained as there is still a large number of primary school going
OVC who are not in school. Fewer NGOs are also involved in OVC education projects compared
to other OVC areas of interest. The research study’s objectives were to assess whether; financial
management, project scope and monitoring and evaluation influence the implementation of OVC
education projects in Mt. Elgon District. The study adopted a descriptive survey design. The
target population were 24 NGOs which are directly involved in OVC education projects, the
study population involved 6 NGO personnel from each NGO who is directly involved in the
OVC education project, at least one of; programme manager, programme officer, project
manager, project officer, project assistant and a field officer, were selected and interviewed. A
total of 144 NGO OVC education project officials were selected. Study district was conveniently
selected. Purposive sampling was used to select respondents until the sample size was realized.
Data was collected by use of structured 5 point likert scale questionnaires. Data collected was be
analyzed using Statistical Package for social scientists computer package in descriptive statistics.
The study revealed that access to funding was a major problem in implementation of the OVC
education projects, a fact showed by 52% of the sampled organizations. The results also showed
that the NGOs involved in OVC education projects play a big role in incorporating
professionalism amongst their staff as 88% agreed to continuously train their project staff. The
scope of the OVC education projects by NGOs also received positive results as most agreed to
having a project scope that is 81% said the scope was specific, 79% measurable, 68% achievable,
41% realistic and 63% time bound. 72% of the project staff strongly agreed to the fact that the
NGOs involved in OVC education projects value the monitoring and evaluation process while
79% conduct constant follow ups to the projects they have closed. The research thus
recommends that Governments, donor agencies, NGOs, and other stakeholders be involved in
participatory approaches to resource mobilization that could support the funding of several local
research to create a resource rich environment in which the NGO work should lead to pressure
for performance and self evaluation. As an area of further research, the research also
recommended finding out the factors which influence the donor funding to OVC education
projects and which may give the required information to stakeholders for them to strategize how
best to implement many more education projects that would benefit the OVC and possibly
reduce their absenteeism and dropout numbers from schools.
Citation
Master of Arts Degree in project planning and managementPublisher
University of Nairobi
Description
Master of Arts in Project Planning and Management