Assessing the outcomes of NGOs’ activities interventions in the reintegration of formerly abducted child mothers in Gulu district: case study Bar-Dege and Koro sub-counties, Gulu district

Abstract

The study intended to determine the outcomes of NGOs’ interventions in the reintegration of formerly abducted child mothers in Gulu District. The problem was that formerly abducted child mothers have not reintegrated well with the communities despite the NGOs interventions to support their reintegration. The study was guided by the three objectives; to examine different activities implemented by NGOs to ensure the reintegration of formerly abducted child mothers, to assess the challenges in the reintegration of formerly abducted child mothers and to identify the gaps in the NGOs interventions in the reintegration processes of the formerly abducted child mothers resettled in the communities. In this regard, data for this study was collected on the independent variable of NGOs interventions and the dependent variable of reintegration of the formerly abducted child mothers. The study was descriptive and analytical in nature employing qualitative research methods for data collection. A case study research design was used to gather information on the topic. The researcher employed interview guides (Key Informants Question Guide) and Focus Group Discussion for in-depth information gathering. The researcher discovered on the basis of an extensive literature review and the in-depth research undertaken that NGOs’ interventions had substantial effect on the reintegration of formerly abducted child mothers. Study findings indicated that physical rehabilitation targeted those who got disabling injuries and physical deformities inform of broken limbs, torn muscles and crippled ones during the conflict. NGOs activities interventions had significant change in the lives of beneficiaries since they were able to work again which made them self-reliant and productive economically. The study established that livelihoods support provided in terms of production inputs, the Village Savings and Loan’s Association (VSLA) and the skills trainings, were an economic empowering tool for the for the formerly abducted child mothers livelihoods and a precursor to community reintegration. Vocational skills training was part of the intervention provided to formerly abducted child mothers and most of them were trained in different vocational trades which included tailoring, saloon making and catering. They were given start-up capital to finance their work and businesses. The findings indicated that reconciliation amongst people within groups and communities is fostering reintegration of formerly abducted child mothers in the communities. Although finger pointing on ex-abducted child mothers was still practiced, but the rate at which it was done was no longer significant enough to affect their association with the rest of the community. The study findings found gaps like weak monitoring of the activities, weak documentation, inadequate resources/ finance to cater for the emerging needs of the formerly abducted child mothers, limited coordination among NGOs and between other duty bearers. The study also found out that there are areas of interventions that need to be prioritized. These includes: the impact of HIV/AIDS on the formerly abducted child others, the land conflicts, the issue of children born in captivity and the protection of property rights of the formerly abducted child mothers. The researcher recommended to NGOs to; continue to support the formerly abducted child mothers; improve on the coordination between NGOs and local governments; and improve on monitoring and documentation of the programs. The study suggested further researches to be carried out on: impact of HIV/AIDS on the lives of formerly abducted child mothers, the land conflicts, children born in captivity and property rights for the formerly abducted child mothers.