Role of NGOs in Youth Economic Empowerment: Case Study of Charles Lwanga Centre Kibera, Kenya

Abstract

In the last decade, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have become increasingly important and one of the key stakeholders that foster youth economic empowerment, in all their main areas of work such as humanitarian relief, long-term development, and policy formation. This study explored the Role of Charles Lwanga Center in economic empowerment of the youth in Kibera, Nairobi County. Two theories were used to inform the study and these include; The Stakeholders' theory by Richard Edward Freeman (1980) and Social capital theory by Alex de Tocqueville (1840). The use of Triangulation helped the researcher to gain a round view of both dependent and independent variables. The study used descriptive survey which describes current situation.  Probability random sampling and non-probabilistic sampling techniques were used to select the Youth and youth heads. The study was justified because previous studies focused on individual aspects of economic empowerment. Data was collected using questionnaire and interview guide. To control validity, the instrument was subjected to content and face validity and to attain reliability, pilot study was conducted. The reliability of the questionnaire was tested by using the internal consistency method and reliability coefficient of 0.7. Both the qualitative and the quantitative data were analyzed separately and results were converged during interpretation. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics with the help of Statistical Package for Social Science software version 20.0 and were summarized using simple frequencies, and graphical representations. The qualitative data were analyzed and presented using narrative description. Majority of the respondents 89 (91%) agreed that the Centre provides entrepreneurship education for the youth in Kibera. Those interviewed indicated that the entrepreneurship education enabled her to have capacity to search for repair jobs and also get some contracts from other places. Another respondent indicated that through financial support he was able to employ another youth to assist him in the business. According to the research findings, it was concluded that Charles Lwanga Centre provides technical skills for the youth. The technical skills provided include sewing, rug making, carpentry training and mentorship training. Other trainings offered include electrical installation, food processing, motor vehicle repair and computer studies. The study recommended that the Centre should develop policies that will guide their role in youth economic empowerment to ensure that all aspects of the empowerment programs are taken care of. This will ensure wholistic view and implementation of the programs to fully support the economic empowerment. The study further recommends that the Centre should consider diversifying the technical skills and trainings offered. This will enable more youth to benefit from the programme. Another recommendation is that the Centre should increase the loan limit available to the youth so that they are able to access the finances to enable them start their own businesses.