Influence of funding on the support of orphans and vulnerable children institutions in Trans Nzoia county, Kenya

Abstract

The Global burden of Orphans and Vulnerable Children has reached crisis proportions, with 10-13 Million People estimated to be Orphans. This has shaken the already weak Economic and Social infrastructures of many developing Nations. In sub-Saharan Africa, the number of orphaned children has risen and has weakened the capacity of many Countries to care for their Orphaned Children. Recognizing the need to support the growing Orphan Population, OVC Institutions have started in many countries. Many Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOS) and Faith-Based Agencies (FBA) have founded Orphanages to provide care for Children. This study explored the influence of funding on the support of Orphans and Vulnerable Children institutions in Trans Nzoia County, Kenya. In terms of research minimum focus has been on the influence of funding in supporting OVC Institutions thus the need of this research. The main objectives of this study were to ascertain the influence of Donations and Grants on the support of Orphans and Vulnerable Children Institutions in Trans Nzoia County, To establish the influence of Foreign Aid on the support of Orphans and Vulnerable Children Institutions in Trans Nzoia County, To establish the influence of Local Financing on the support of Orphans and Vulnerable Children Institutions in Trans Nzoia County and To establish the influence of Self Financing on the support of Orphans and Vulnerable Children Institutions in Trans Nzoia County. This study adopted a Descriptive survey Research Design. Descriptive survey is a research design in which Questionnaires are administered to a Sample of respondents in order to collect data about the characteristics, actions, opinions or attitudes of a large group of People. A total of 59 OVC Institution directors and 5 children officers were used as the sample size. The raw data that was obtained from this study was cleaned, organized, categorized, evaluated and key-punched using Computer Programme Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 17.0.Then the data was qualitatively analyzed by subjecting it to Thematic analysis which yielded both Descriptive and inferential statistics. 44% of the respondents disagreed to receiving money from foundations, with 10 % strongly disagreeing. However, another 53% agreed to receiving funds from grants, with 34% strongly agreeing. 55% of the respondents agreed to receiving foreign aids from well-wishers abroad.44% on the other hand disagreed. In general however, 87% of the respondents disagreed to the money being sufficient for their needs. From the research it was clear that most institutions largely depend on donations & grants, foreign aid. Very little is collected from local businesses and individuals. Self-financing is also overlooked by many of the institutions. The researcher also found out that the government does not offer any financial assistance to these institutions. The researcher recommends that the institution directors should source for more funds as the available funds are not enough. Self-financing is also encouraged for sustainability. The government and the locals should also step up and give financial assistance to these institutions.