Rehema chapter 4

CHAPTER FOUR

4.0 PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS

This chapter is concerned with presentation, discussion and analysis of the findings.

4.1 PERSONAL AND SITUATIONAL CHARACTERISTICS

In assessing the effects of provision of services on Most Vulnerable Children (MVC)

in Mtwara district, it is important to consider respondent personal and situation

characteristics since the characteristings have influence on the respondent behaviour.

4.1.1 Personal Charactertistics among Members of Households

Respondent personal characteristics include sex, age, marital status and education. In

view about respondent sex and age, in overall, results in table one and chart 1 show

that 58% of the respondents were female respondents while the rest 42% were male

respondents.

Table 4.1.1: Respondent Sex and Age

Nambu Tangazo Mayanga Nanguruwe TotalN 14 12 11 11 48% 48 41 38 39 42N 15 17 18 17 67% 52 59 62 61 58N 29 29 29 28 115% 100 100 100 100 100

2. Age Groups

Nambu Tangazo Mayanga Nanguruwe TotalN 0 3 2 1 6% 0 10 7 4 5N 10 5 9 10 34% 35 17 31 36 30N 10 10 6 8 34% 35 35 21 29 30N 7 6 7 7 27% 24 21 24 25 24N 2 5 5 2 14% 7 17 17 7 12N 29 29 29 28 115% 100 100 100 100 100

Male

Female

Overall

18 - 25

Ward

Ward

Overall

26 - 35

36 - 45

46 - 60

Above 60

1. Respondent Sex

Sex

Age Groups

In looking at indivdual wards, the difference between female and male respondents is

highest in Mayanga ward and smallest in Nambu ward.

Figure 4.1.1: Respondent Sex

4852

41

59

38

62

39

61

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

Per

cent

Nambu Tangazo Mayanga Nanguruwe

Ward

Chart 1 Respondent Sex

Male Female

Figure 4.1.2: Age of Respondents

Chart 2 Respondent Age Groups

18 - 255%

26 - 3530%

36 - 4530%

46 - 6023%

Above 6012%

18 - 25 26 - 35 36 - 45 46 - 60 Above 60

In looking at respondents age groups, results show that the majority of the

respondents, 83% were in the active age groups which is the age of majority.

Figure 4.1.3: Respondents Education

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Perc

en

t


Ward

Chart 3 Respondent Education

No Education Primary Secondary

Results table 2 and chart 3 show that 82% of the respondents have no formal

education while 15% have primary education. In looking at individual wards, the

situation is serious in Mayanag ward where 97% of the respondents have no formal

education. The situation is better in Nanguruwe where 61% of the respondents have

no formal education while 11% have secondary education.

Table 4.1.2: Respondent Marital Status

1. Respondent Education

Nambu Tangazo Mayanga Nanguruwe TotalNo Education N 23 26 28 17 94

% 79 90 97 61 82N 6 2 1 8 17% 21 7 3 29 15N 0 1 0 3 4% 0 3 0 11 4N 29 29 29 28 115% 100 100 100 100 100

2. Marital Status

Nambu Tangazo Mayanga Nanguruwe TotalSingle N 1 3 2 0 6

% 3 10 7 0 5N 17 11 16 17 61% 59 38 55 61 53N 6 9 5 10 30% 21 31 17 36 26N 5 6 6 1 18% 17 21 21 4 16N 29 29 29 28 115% 100 100 100 100 100

Ward

Married

Primary

Secondary

Overall

Ward

Divorced

Widowed

Overall

Education

Status

In looking at respondent marital status, results show that only 53% of the respondents

were married while the rest 5% were single, 26% divorced and 18% widowed.

4.2 SITUATIONAL CHARACTERISTICS OF HOUSEHOLDS

Situational characteristics cover household family size and respondent main

occupation.

Table 4.2.1: Household Family Size

Nambu Tangazo Mayanga Nanguruwe TotalN 16 21 17 9 63% 55 72 59 32 55N 13 8 12 18 51% 45 28 41 64 44N 0 0 0 1 1% 0 0 0 4 1N 29 29 29 28 115% 100 100 100 100 100

WardNumber of People in a Household

3 - 5

6 - 10

Above 4

Overall

Number

Figure 4.2.1: Household Family Size

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

per

cen


Ward

Chart 4 Household Family Size

'3 - 5 '6 - 10 Above 10

In view about respondent sources of income, in overall, farming combined with

fishing, livestock and business form main source of income.

Table 4.2.2: Respondent Sources of income

Nambu Tangazo Mayanga NanguruweN 16 15 23 24 78 % 55 52 79 86 68 N 1 1 - - 2 % 3 3 - - 2 N - 4 - - 4 % - 14 - - 4 N - 1 1 - 2 % - 3 3 - 2 N - - 1 - 1 % - - 3 - 1 N 7 4 - - 11 % 24 14 - - 10 N 3 - - - 3 % 10 - - - 3 N 2 3 4 4 13 % 7 10 14 14 11 N - 1 - - 1 % - 3 - - 1 N 29 29 29 28 115 % 100 100 100 100

Faming

Total

Fishing

Livestock Keeping

Business

Wage Employment

Overall

WardOccupation Statistics

Faming & Fishing

Farming & Livestock

Farming & Business

Fishing & Livestock

As far as average annual income is concerned, in overall, results show that 86% of the

respondents earn below T Shs 200,000/= in annual basis.

Table 4.2.3: Respondent Annual Income

Nambu Tangazo Mayanga NanguruweN 26 21 23 28 98 % 90 75 79 100 86 N 3 6 1 - 10 % 10 21 3 - 9 N - 1 3 - 4 % - 4 10 - 4 N - - 2 - 2 % - - 7 - 2 N 29 28 29 28 114 % 100 100 100 100 100

300,000-400,000

400,000 and above

Overall

Income Statistics TotalWard

Below 200,000/=

200,000-300,000

16-18 years

11-15 years

6-10 years

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

Boys

Girls

4.3 DATA COLLECTED FROM SERVICE PROVIDERS ABOUT MVC

4.3.1 Age profile of MVC

The following information was gathered by the researcher in order to analyse the age

profile of MVC. The findings of the study were presented as shown in the table and

figure below;

Table 4.3.1: Age profile of MVC

Number of respondents Percentages

Boys Girls Total

6-10 years 6 2 8 40%

11-15 years 5 2 7 35%

16-18 years 4 1 5 25%

Total 15 5 20 100%

Figure 4.3.1: Age profile of MVC

The findings of the study show that 40% of MVC were aged 6-10 years, followed by

those aged between 11-15 years while those aged between 16-18 were the least. The

trend was similar for both, boys and girls. These findings suggest that the likelihood

of a child to become a MVC diminished as they get older, probably because, as the

children get older, they become able to take care of themselves.

Number of respondents

Completed primaryeducation

Drop out

No Education

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

N u m b er

of

re s p o n d e nt

s

Boys

Girls

4.3.2 Education profile of MVC

The following information was gathered by the researcher in order to analyse the

education profile of MVC. The findings of the study were presented as shown in the

table and figure below;

Table 4.3.2: Education profile of MVC

Number of respondent Percentages

Boys Girls Total

No Education 7 3 10 50%

Drop out 6 2 8 40%

Completed Primary school 2 0 2 10%

Total 15 5 20 100%

Table 4.3.2: Education profile of MVC

The findings of the study show that 50% of MVC had no education, followed by 40%

of respondents who had dropped out of school and 10% of respondents who had

completed primary education. These findings suggest that the likelihood of MVC

having no education or dropping out of school is high.

On the Street

Churches andmosques Ghetto At home

0

2

4

6

8

10

Boys

Girls

4.3.3 Place to sleep for MVC

The following information was gathered by the researcher in order to find out where

MVC sleep at night at the time they were identified. The findings of the study were

presented as shown in the table and figure below;

Table 4.3.3: Place to sleep for MVC

Number of respondent Percentages

Boys Girls Total

On the street 9 2 11 55%

Churches and mosques 2 1 3 15%

Ghetto 2 1 3 15%

At home 2 1 3 15%

Total 15 5 20 100%

Figure 4.3.3: Place to sleep for MVC

The findings of the study show that at the time they were identified by service

providers, 55% of MVC sleep on the street, 15% of respondents each sleep in

mosques and churches, Ghetto and at home. These findings suggest that majority of

MVC sleep on the street in places such as; shop verandas, road ditches and food

selling places.


7 years or more

5-6 years

3-4 years

1-2 years

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

N u m b er

of

re s p o n d e nt

s

4.3.4 Number of years as MVC before being identified by service providers

The researcher analysed the feedback from service providers to establish for how long

MVC have been in that vulnerable situation before they were identified by the service

providers. The objective of asking this question was to determine whether the ability

of MVC to cope with life in the streets is determined by the number of years they

have been living in the streets. The feedback was presented as shown below;

Table 4.3.4: Number of years as MVC before being identified

Number of respondents Percentage0-2 year 2 10%

3-4 years 3 15%

5-6 years 9 45%

7 years or more 6 30%

Total 20 100%

Figure 4.3.4: Number of years as MVC before being identified

The findings of the survey show that majority of MVC have been MVC for 5 years or

more. These findings show that majority of MVC are experienced with life in the

streets and are thus probably able to cope better compared to those who have been

living in the streets for a few number of years.

Separation of parents

Abuse at home

Orphan hood

General poverty

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

4.3.5 Reasons for being MVC

Having collected demographics information about MVC, the researcher analysed the

feedback from service providers on the reasons for being MVC. The findings of the

survey were presented as shown in the table and figure below;

Table 4.3.5: Reasons for becoming MVC

Number of respondents Percentage

Poverty 9 45%Orphanhood 5 25%Abuse at home 2 10%Separation of parents 4 20%Total 20 100%

Figure 4.3.5: Reasons for becoming MVC

The findings above show that 45% of respondents became MVC due to poverty

followed by 25% of respondents who became MVC die to orphanhood (loss of one

parents or both parents), 20% of respondents who became MVC due to separation of

parents and 10% of respondents became MVC due to abuse from parents, family

members of neighbours. On the issue of poverty, the researcher found out that most

respondents become MVC because their parents could no longer provide them with

basic needs namely; food, clothing and shelter. This is congruent with previous

findings on the level of household incomes in the study area.


Lack of health services

Lack of shelter

Lack of food

Abuse and harassment

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

N u m b er

of

re s p o n d e nt

s

4.3.6 Problems faced by MVC

The researcher asked respondents to mention the problems faced by MVC before they

were identified and put under the care of service providers. The objective was to

findout whether services offered by service providers took in to consideration the

problems faced by MVC before they were identified.

Table 4.3.6: Problems faced by MVC


Abuse and harassment 4 20%

Lack of food 8 40%

Lack of shelter 6 30%

Lack of heath service 2 10%

Total 20 100%

Figure 4.3.6: Problems faced by MVC

This study revealed a number of problems faced by these children, the main problem

being lack of food (40%), followed by lack of shelter (30%), abuse and harassment

especially from the police (20%) and lack of access to treatment when they get sick.

Begging

Work in exchange for food

Doing petty business (buy)

Eating Leftovers

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

N u m b er

of

re s p o n d e nt

s

4.3.7 Coping mechanisms used by MVC on lack of food

To establish the coping mechanism used by MVC to cope with the problem of lack of

food, the researcher asked respondents to mention how MVC used to cope with tlack

of food before they were identified. The feedback from respondents was presented as

shown in the table and figure below;

Table 4.3.7: Coping mechanisms used by MVC on lack of foodNumber of respondents Percentage

Eating leftovers 4 20%Do petty business 9 45%They work in exchange for food 6 30%Beg 1 5%Total 20 100%

Figure 4.3.7: Coping mechanisms used by MVC on lack of food

The findings of the study showed that 45% of respondents said that MVCs coped with

lack of food by doing petty business, 30% of respondents said that MVC coped with

lack of food by working in exchange for food, 20% of respondents said that MVC

coped with lack of food by eating leftovers while 5% of respondents said that MVC

cope with the problem of lack of food by begging.

washing and cutting

fish

collecting and selling metal

scraps

selling water

Washing and guarding cars

washing dishes

0

2

4

6

8

10N u m b er

of

re s p o n d e nt

s

4.3.8 Means of earning income used by MVC

To establish the way MVC used to earn income before they were identified, the

researcher analysed the feedback from respondents and the feedback from

respondents was documented as shown in the table and figure below;

Table 4.3.8: Means of earning income used by MVC


Washing dishes, cleaning 9 45%

Washing cars 4 20%

Selling of sweets and groundnuts 3 15%

Collecting/selling metal scrap 2 10%

Washing and cutting fish 2 10%

Total 20 100%

Figure 4.3.8: Means of earning income used by MVC

The findings of the study showed that 45% of respondents wash dishes/cleaning in

hotels, 20% of respondents wash and guard cars, 15% of respondents sell sweets, 10%

of respondents collect and sell sweets while 10% of respondents wash and cut fish.

Go to traditionalhealers

Go to hospital buy medicine

Sleep off the illness

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

N u m b er

of

re s p o n d e nt

s

4.3.9 Mechanism used by MVC to cope with lack of health care

To establish the coping mechanism used by MVC to cope with the problem of lack of

health services before they were identified, the researcher asked respondents to

mention how MVC used to cope with lack of health care before they were idenified.

The feedback from respondents was presented as shown in the table and figure below;

Table 4.3.9: Mechanism used by MVC to cope with lack of health care


Sleep off the illness 2 10%

Go to hospital or buy medicine 13 65%

Go to traditional healers 5 25%

Total 20 100%

Figure 4.3.9: Mechanism used by MVC to cope with lack of health care

The findings reveal that out of 20 respondents, only 65% of respondents said that

MVC used to cope with lack of access to health services by going to hospital to ask

for free medical treatment or buy medicine from pharmacies if they have money. 25%

of respondents said that MVC cope by going to traditional healers while 10% of

respondents said that they cope with lack of access by sleeping off the illness. These

findings show that MVC are very vulnerable to health problems and that is their most

pressing need.

The researcher also observed that some preventable health problems occur to MVC

because they have no access to proper diagnosis and treatment or even hygiene and

sanitation. They rarely have access to facilities they need for their daily hygiene and

sanitation, such as toilets, and clean, safe water supply. Many MVC have suffered

chronic diseases, including typhoid, tuberculosis and malaria.

The researcher also found out that health problems faced by MVC are caused by the

fact that MVC are often barefooted; fighting with each other and beatings from police

and other people exposed them to many risks. Eating leftovers that were dirty, left

uncovered and exposed to flies, and led to various infections and diseases. Lack of

proper shelter and clothing exposed them to skin infections.

The researcher also found that, before they were identified, 55% of MVC observed

during the study used sleep on the street, shop verandas, road ditches and food selling

places, 15% of MVC used to sleep in mosques and churches, Ghetto and at home.

These findings suggest that lack of shelter is among the most pressing needs of MVC

which must be addressed by service providers.

4.3.11 Ability of MVC to cope with living conditions before they were identified

To establish whether MVC were able to cope with living conditions before they were

identified by service providers, the researcher analysed the feedback from respondents

on the matter and it was documented as shown in the table and figure below;;

Table 4.3.11: Ability of MVC to cope with living conditions

Yes No

No. of respondents 4 16

Percentage 20% 80%

Figure 4.3.11: Ability of MVC to cope with living conditions

The results show that 80% of respondents said that MVC were not able to cope with

living conditions before they were identified, while 20% of respondents said that 20%

of respondents were not able to cope with living conditions. These findings show how

vulnerable MVC are and that they need help. Hence the need for service providers as

it is the objective of this study.

4.4 MVC PROGRAMMES IN THE STUDY AREA

This section focuses on the awareness of households about MVC programmes as well

as types of MVC programmes available in the study area. Results from the study

show that 75% the respondents involved in the study were aware about the

availability of MVC programmes. In view about types of MVC programme provider

mentioned, results show Local Government as the main programme provider.

The types of services provided by the Local Government incloude school expenses on

school uniforms, school fees, food and mosquito nets. Looking at individual wards,

Nambu ward mentioned EDUCAID and KIMWAM as additional programme

KEY:

NO

YES

providers. As far as Tangazo ward is concerned, the ward mentioned TASAF and

AMREF as additional programmes providers.

The other two wards Mayanga and Nanguruwe mentioned FAWOPA and MSOAPO

respectively as additional programmes provider. The study went further to consider

elements of comprehensive care by MVC programmes. In considering individual

wards, results show that the ward received primary health care and HIV prevention,

care and treatment as well as educational and vocational training.

In view about health care, in Nambu ward, local government was the main

programme provider and the servive is provided to both children, caregiver and

perents. In the same ward, with regard to education, NGOs and local government are

the main programme providers and the children are beneficiaries of such services.

Both children, caregiver and parents are the beneficiaries of primary health care.

In education, the children become the beneficiaries of such service and local

government was mentioned to be the programme provider. In view about

Nanguruwe, only the children are beneficiaries of the primary health care and

education. While NGOs support primary health care, NGOs and local govenment

support education and vocational training.

4.5 EFFECTS OF PARTICIPATION IN PROVISION OF MVC SERVICES

This section deliberates on the effects of stakeholders participation in provision of

MVC services to the people in the study area. The enlights on stakeholder

participation in trained staff at all levels, effectively and efficiently functioning

committees which are responsible for MVC at all levels, effective and efficient care,

support and protection response system at all levels.

Availability of adequate resources for responding to needed care, support and

protection from MVC, building capacity of NGOs partners to improve and expand

high quality comprehensive care, using schools as platforms for intergrated service

provision, mobilizing communities to reach large population of number of children

and households in rural areas with comprehensive essential services and working with

depertments of social welfare and local MVC to develop care of desperately needed

skilled village based social workers. The results are shown in the table below;

Table 4.5: The effects of stakeholders participation in provision of MVC servicesP

rogr

mm

e

Effect

Pro

grm

me

Effect

Pro

grm

me

Effect

Pro

grm

me

Effect

1. Committee not 1. Improvement 1. lack of 1. lack of responsible on malaria children children

follow-up follow-up1. Community not 1. Lack of 1. Lack of 1. Parents aware cooperation responsibility discouraged2. Children not leading to poor 2. Ill treat others on services visited project

performance1. Children 1. Children get 1. Improve on 1. Children problem on education services in problem on malaria solved support education malaria solved

2. No health insurance

1. Lack of service 1. Lack of service 1. The children 1. The children on education on education are too many are too many and health care and health care against limited against limited

services services1. Services is 1. Services is 1. Services is 1. Services is provided only provided only provided only provided only in some parts in some parts in some parts in some parts the ward the ward the ward the ward1. Discrimination 1. Discrimination 1. Discrimination at school at school at school

2. Children get 2. Childre education dislike schools

1. Community 1. Community 1. Community 1. Children do not yet not yet not yet not get services mobilized mobilized mobilized because

community not mobilized

1. Community 1. The govt 1. No support is aware and educate the from the limited giving aids to children resources some children

3

3

3 3 3 3

2

2,3

2,3

3

2

2,3

2

2,3

2,3

3

3

3

3 3

3

3

3

2,3

3

2

Working with departments of social welfare

Availability of adequate resources

3

3

3

2,3

2

3

Building capacity of NGOs partners

Using schools as platforms for intergrated services

Mobilising communities to reach large number of children

Stakeholder Participatioon

Trained Staff at all levels

Effectively and efficiently functioning committees

Effective and efficient care


The results shown in the table below show that the participation of stakeholders in

provision of services has resulted in improvements in provision of halth care services,

education services and shelter to MVC. However, the study also found that there

efforts are hindered by numerous factors such as; lack of awareness and cooperation

among community members, competence among service providers, lack of

avaliability of resources compared to the large number of MVC who need the services

and discouragement among community members onaccessing the services.

CHAPTER FIVE

5.0 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

This chapter presents he conclusion reached by the study and recommendations made

to improve the current situation;

5.1 CONCLUSION

From findings of the study, the researcher found that the provision of services to

MVC has helped to improve the welfare of MVC through provision of basic services

such as health care, education, food, clothing and shelter. The study found out that

children who were once living on the streets without food or health care can now get

those services.

Also, the study concludes that, despite of the benefits brought by the provision of

services to MVC, the efforts are hindered by various factors such as; lack of

awareness and cooperation among community members, competence among service

providers, lack of avaliability of resources compared to the large number of MVC

who need the services and discouragement among community members onaccessing

the services.

5.2 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ACTION

Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are suggested in

order to solve the factors hindering provision of services to MVC;

Public education through the media, such as radio and/or television, should be

intensified to change people’s attitudes toward participation in provision of

services to MVC. MVC should be perceived as equal members of the

community and efforts should be done to help them.

Where services for MVC are provided, they should be governed by the

principle of collective responsibility, which encourages close participation of

members of the community. Community members should be trained in order

to mitigate and offset the existing challenges.

The government, and the community at large need to recognize that children

and youth are full of imagination, desires, and hopes, and that they must be

involved in decisions that affect their lives. We must find out more about their

problems and prospects and how we can best help them.