Socio-Economic Factors Affecting Holistic Rehabilitation of Street Children in Mathare Constituency-Nairobi County, Kenya
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Date
2018-05
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Tangaza University College
Abstract
The dynamics of holistic rehabilitation of street children are complex and solutions to challenge posed by this phenomenon requires a study to establish how to tackle it. In Mathare Constituency, the challenges facing institutions involved in this task are not any different. This study sought to establish the socio-economic factors affecting the holistic rehabilitation of street children in Mathare constituency that is an informal settlement within Nairobi County. The main objective was to assess how healthcare services, educational services, managers’ competences, caregivers’ characteristics and availability of funds affect holistic rehabilitation of street children in Mathare Constituency. The target population was one hundred and sixty five (165) that included caregivers, managers, former rehabilitated children, primary caregivers and teachers from the charitable children institutions within Mathare Constituency. The sample size for the study was 116 participants. The participants of the study were selected using purposive random, simple random and snowball sampling techniques. The study used a descriptive survey design whereby quantitative and qualitative methods were integrated. The researcher used semi-structured interviews and questionnaires to collect data for the study. The data was summarized, coded and tabulated using Statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 2.1 for windows. The study established that the healthcare services offered to street children were adequate 78 % (n=7) and effective 67% (n=6) as the children institution staffs involved experts in serving children. The educational services offered were found to be adequate 90 % (n=17) and effective 76% (n=17) due to teachers’ effective teaching methods and role modelling that enhanced those services. The study also found 50% (n=2) of managers experienced but lacking, educational qualifications required by the government. The study likewise found out that majority of caregivers 80% (n=7) had attained required trainings but the primary caregivers had no opportunity to further their trainings. The children institutions got funds from government, civil society and international donors where the latter contributed three quarters of the funds needed. The study findings indicate, there was 75% (n=3) of street children who were enabled to adapt into the community. The study recommends the improvement of the services offered by these institutions in order to achieve holistic rehabilitation of street children. The study also recommends that the government and international bodies, to increase their support to institutions involved in the rehabilitation of street children as the resources are inadequate. The study also recommends that these institutions pursue local collaborations and partnership in order to enhance their services. Finally, the study recommends further studies with a bigger sample and intervening variables inclusion in Kenya in order to establish findings that can help solve the problem of street children’s holistic rehabilitation.
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Keywords
Socio-Economic Factors, Holistic Rehabilitation, Street Children