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

1. Respondent Sex
Ward
Sex Nambu Tangazo Mayanga Nanguruwe Total
N 14 12 11 11 48
Male % 48 41 38 39 42
N 15 17 18 17 67
Female % 52 59 62 61 58
N 29 29 29 28 115
Overall % 100 100 100 100 100
2. Age Groups
Ward
Age Groups Nambu Tangazo Mayanga Nanguruwe Total
N 0 3 2 1 6
18 - 25 % 0 10 7 4 5
N 10 5 9 10 34
26 - 35 % 35 17 31 36 30
N 10 10 6 8 34
36 - 45 % 35 35 21 29 30
N 7 6 7 7 27
46 - 60 % 24 21 24 25 24
N 2 5 5 2 14
Above 60 % 7 17 17 7 12
N 29 29 29 28 115
Overall % 100 100 100 100 100
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

Chart 1 Respondent Sex

70 62 61
59
60
52
48
50
41 39
38
Percent

40

30

20

10

0
Nambu Tangazo Mayanga Nanguruwe
Ward

Male Female

Figure 4.1.2: Age of Respondents

Chart 2 Respondent Age Groups

Above 60 18 - 25
12% 5%

26 - 35
46 - 60 30%
23%

36 - 45
30%

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

Chart 3 Respondent Education

100
90
80
70
60
Percent

50
40
30
20
10
0
Ward

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
Ward
Education Nambu Tangazo Mayanga Nanguruwe Total
No Education N 23 26 28 17 94
% 79 90 97 61 82
N 6 2 1 8 17
Primary % 21 7 3 29 15
N 0 1 0 3 4
Secondary % 0 3 0 11 4
N 29 29 29 28 115
Overall % 100 100 100 100 100
2. Marital Status
Ward
Status Nambu Tangazo Mayanga Nanguruwe Total
Single N 1 3 2 0 6
% 3 10 7 0 5
N 17 11 16 17 61
Married % 59 38 55 61 53
N 6 9 5 10 30
Divorced % 21 31 17 36 26
N 5 6 6 1 18
Widowed % 17 21 21 4 16
N 29 29 29 28 115
Overall % 100 100 100 100 100

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

Number of People in a Household
Ward
Number
Nambu Tangazo Mayanga Nanguruwe Total
N 16 21 17 9 63
3-5
% 55 72 59 32 55
N 13 8 12 18 51
6 - 10
% 45 28 41 64 44
N 0 0 0 1 1
Above 4
% 0 0 0 4 1
N 29 29 29 28 115
Overall
% 100 100 100 100 100

Figure 4.2.1: Household Family Size

Chart 4 Household Family Size

80

70

60

50
percen

40

30

20

10

0
Ward

'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

Ward
Occupation Statistics Nambu Tangazo Mayanga Nanguruwe Total
N 16 15 23 24 78
Faming % 55 52 79 86 68
N 1 1 - - 2
Fishing % 3 3 - - 2
N - 4 - - 4
Livestock Keeping % - 14 - - 4
N - 1 1 - 2
Business % - 3 3 - 2
N - - 1 - 1
Wage Employment % - - 3 - 1
N 7 4 - - 11
Faming & Fishing % 24 14 - - 10
N 3 - - - 3
Farming & Livestock % 10 - - - 3
N 2 3 4 4 13
Farming & Business % 7 10 14 14 11
N - 1 - - 1
Fishing & Livestock % - 3 - - 1
N 29 29 29 28 115
Overall % 100 100 100 100
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

Ward
Income Statistics Total
N 26 21 23 28 98
Below 200,000/=
% 90 75 79 100 86
N 3 6 1 - 10
200,000-300,000
% 10 21 3 - 9
N - 1 3 - 4
300,000-400,000
% - 4 10 - 4
N - - 2 - 2
400,000 and above
% - - 7 - 2
N 29 28 29 28 114
Overall
% 100 100 100 100 100

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

Number of respondents

7
6-10 years
6
11-15 years
5
16-18 years
4 Boys

3 Girls

2

1

0

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.

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

8
No Education
7
Drop out
6

5
Boys
4
Girls
3
Completed primary
2 education

1

0

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.

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

Number of
respondents
10 On the Street

8

6 Boys

4 Girls
Churches and
mosques Ghetto At home
2

0

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.

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 Percentage
0-2 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

10
5-6 years
9
8
7
7 years or more
6
5
4
3-4 years
3
1-2 years
2
1
0

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.

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
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


10
General poverty
9
8
7
6
Orphan hood
5 Separation
of parents
4
3
Abuse at home
2
1
0

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.

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

14

12

10
Lack of food
8

Lack of shelter
6

Abuse and harassment
4

2 Lack of health services

0

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.

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 food
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

14

12

Doing petty
10 business (buy)

8
Work in exchange
for food
6
Eating
Leftovers
4

2 Begging

0

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.

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


washing
10 dishes

8

6 Washing and
guarding cars selling collecting and washing
4 water selling metal and cutting
scraps fish
2

0

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.

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


Go to hospital
14 buy medicine

12
10
8 Go to traditional
6 healers

4
Sleep off the illness
2
0

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

KEY:

NO

YES

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
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 services


Progrmme

Progrmme

Progrmme

Progrmme
Stakeholder
Participatioon Effect Effect Effect Effect

1. Committee not 1. Improvement 1. lack of 1. lack of
Trained Staff at
3 responsible 3 on malaria 2,3 children 3 children
all levels
follow-up follow-up
1. Community not 1. Lack of 1. Lack of 1. Parents
Effectively and
aware cooperation responsibility discouraged
efficiently
3 2. Children not 3 leading to poor 3 3
2. Ill treat others on services
functioning
visited project
committees
performance
1. Children 1. Children get 1. Improve on 1. Children
problem on education services in problem on
Effective and
3 malaria solved 3 support 2 education 3 malaria solved
efficient care
2. No health
insurance
1. Lack of service 1. Lack of service 1. The children 1. The children
Availability of
on education on education are too many are too many
adequate 3 3 2,3 2,3
and health care and health care against limited against limited
resources
services services
1. Services is 1. Services is 1. Services is 1. Services is
Building capacity
provided only provided only provided only provided only
of NGOs 2,3 2 2 2,3
in some parts in some parts in some parts in some parts
partners
the ward the ward the ward the ward
Using schools as 1. Discrimination 1. Discrimination 1. Discrimination
platforms for at school at school at school
2 2 2,3 3
intergrated 2. Children get 2. Childre
services education dislike schools
Mobilising 1. Community 1. Community 1. Community 1. Children do
communities to not yet not yet not yet not get services
reach large 3 mobilized 2,3 mobilized 3 mobilized 3 because
number of community not
children mobilized
1. Community 1. The govt 1. No support
Working with
is aware and educate the from the limited
departments of 3 3 3 3
giving aids to children resources
social welfare
some children

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.

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