The Effectiveness of Non-Governmental Organizations in Economic Empowerment of Vulnerable Groups in Juba, South Sudan: A Case of World Vision
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Date
2021-06-11
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Journal of Research in Innovation and Implications in Education,
Abstract
South Sudan's long civil war and strife has exposed vulnerable groups to socioeconomic challenges that
endanger their survival. As a result, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) have been pushed to align their services
toward sustainable activities to promote long-term well-being and resilience of the impacted groups. This study sought
to examine the effectiveness of NGOs in promoting economic empowerment of vulnerable groups using the case of
World Vision in Juba, South Sudan. More specifically, this study aimed to assess the impact of microcredit, training,
self-help groups, and cash transfers on economic empowerment of vulnerable groups. This study was anchored on
Human Capital Theory, Empowerment Theory and Capabilities Based Approach. Case study design was adopted and
sample of 50 beneficiaries drawn from World Vision’s economic empowerment program in Juba, South Sudan was
used. Data was collected through interviews and analyzed through thematic analysis. The study found that microcredit
services helped vulnerable groups to start income generating activities, training helped vulnerable groups to acquire
knowledge and skills and sustain income generating activities, self-help groups supported vulnerable groups in terms of
savings and group investments while cash transfer helped vulnerable groups to access basic needs such as food,
shelter, education and medical expenses. The study concluded that World Vision-supported economic empowerment
interventions were effective in promoting economic wellbeing of vulnerable groups. The researcher proposed that there
is urgent need for economic empowerment interventions by the South Sudanese government, NGOs, CBOs, private
sectors, and religious institutions to promote resilience of vulnerable groups such as the elderly and disabled.
Description
Keywords
Effectiveness, Non-governmental Organizations, Economic Empowerment, Interventions, Vulnerable Groups