The role of NGOs in the provision of social protection to orphans and vulnerable children households: A case study of Child Fund in Wakiso District.

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to assess the role of Nongovernmental organisations (NGOs) in the provision of social protection to orphans and other vulnerable children (OVC) households (HHs), using a case study of ChildFund International (CFI) in Wakiso District. The specific objectives were to: study and the role by CFI in the provision of social protection to OVC households in Wakiso district; assess the extent to which CFI social protection interventions support the capacity of families and communities to provide care, protection and assistance to children in meeting their needs; and to assess the limitations of services provided by CFI through their in the provision of social protection to OVC households.

The study employed an exploratory and descriptive case study design, utilizing both qualitative and quantitative methods of investigation. This helped the researcher to obtain information from CFI staff at various levels using purposive and simple random sampling methods. In total, a sample of 268 participants was derived from a total population of 600 from Wakiso district.

For data analysis, descriptive statistics was used to analyze the data and to obtain a feel for the data collected. The study findings then established that Child Fund International’s role and model employed in the provision of OVC intervention combines protective, preventive, promotive and transformative aspects of social protection. The different interventions have been instrumental in building the capacity of families and communities to provide care, protection and assistance to the OVC in meeting their needs. Nonetheless, the interventions are far from adequate, to meet the overarching needs of OVC. Particularly, the ranges of social protection measures implemented by CFI were limited, both in reach and impact. It is therefore recommended that future CFI interventions focus on assisting families to build livelihood security, strengthen livelihood capacities, support community-based relief and promote community support for education and training. In addition, CFI programs should assist children to actively get involved in planning and implementing solutions that affect them and CFI interventions should seek to enhance collaboration, coordination and strengthen the capacity of all stakeholders.