Assessment of Psychosocial Services Rendered by NGO’s to Orphan and Vulnerable Children in Bishoftu Town

Abstract

In Bishoftu town administration even though complete assessment is not made for the identification of OVCSs in the jurisdiction, there are about 5256 males, 5588 females and a total of 10844 registered Orphan and Vulnerable Children’s (OVCs). OVC situation in the city is linked to poverty, illness, conflict, abuse, HIV/AIDS, death of parents and lack of support and guidance. Bishoftu being the bases of military institutions for the long period of time has worsened the situation. The objectives of this study are examining the components of psychosocial supports provided, assessing contribution of NGOS support, the gaps and challenges encountered, the lessons learned and identify best practices that can be drawn for scale up and analyzed concerned bodies and community’s legal response to meet the needs of OVC support. The study used evaluative research design to investigate the research problem. In conducting the study the required data were collected through questionnaires, interviews, focus group discussion and field observations. The population of the study was 10844 OVCs and the sample size was 173. Both primary and secondary data were collected from nine kebeles of Bishoftu town. The findings of the study confirmed that all of the respondents were aware of the types of supports rendered, revealed how some NGOs assess emotional and social needs before providing psychosocial services. Concerning better parenting the respondents said NGOs visited their home and provided guidance for a better parenting to their families. The respondents believed the benefit of psychosocial support is average. The study revealed that there are challenges that the respondents encountered in getting the support. Even though, the legal and policy framework created by the government enhanced the involvement of the government institutions and different community structures in the provision of care and support services respondents do not know how to get legal protection services. Thus, the study recommends enhancing linkage between NGOs for increasing implementation capacity among each other, NGOs engagement in economic strengthening of care givers through income generating activities, Community committees should be vigilant to safe guard the benefits of OVCs. It is essential for public institutions of Bishoftu town to improve the capacity of implementers on understanding of psychosocial support monitoring and evaluation so that the support program could be efficient and effective