Participatory Strategies by PBOs on Street Children's Well-Being in Mathare Sub County in Nairobi City County, Kenya

Abstract

Rehabilitation Programmes are necessary for helping in reducing the number of street children in Kenyan cities. With the number on the rise despite the many rehabilitation programmes across cities worldwide and particularly in Mathare Sub-County where this study is anchored. This study sort to evaluate the influence of participatory strategy by PBOs on the Street Children's wellbeing in Mathare Sub-county. The study is guided by participatory approach theory and seeks to answer the question, to what extent are participatory programs effective in rehabilitating these street children? In order to address the objective of the study, a descriptive research design was used. A sample determination formula was used to establish a sample size of 92 respondents from a target population of 120 staff members and 20 selected street children under rehabilitation. Both quantitative and qualitative approaches of data collection were employed. Both Close-ended questionnaires and interview guides were employed. For quantitative, the Cronbach's alpha technique was used to ensure reliability of research instruments while validity used pilot testing and reviews. Further, the study used Systematic random and purposive sampling methods and Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to analyze the quantitative data. The findings revealed that out of the 120 staffs who participated in the research 68.8% on average agree that participatory approach strategy was significant to the wellbeing of street children in rehabilitation centers in Mathare Sub-County.  In conclusion, it is essential at participatory level for street children to be involved in planning and execution of programmes in the community as part of the stakeholders. We recommend that The PBOs should establish structured mentorship Program consisting of graduates of the rehabilitation program, who have gone on to be success stories or have displayed great transformation in their lives and reintegrated well in the community since graduating from the program. The goal here is to be able to demonstrate to present candidates that participatory strategy in rehabilitation programs contributes    not only achievable change but also sustainable.