Examining the impact of child care homes on community reintegration of former street children in Uganda; case study: Dwelling places

Abstract

This study focused on examining the impact of childcare homes on community reintegration of former street children and the challenges faced in regard to the same. This research adopted a case study design that is descriptive and utilized both qualitative and quantitative research approaches. Convenient and purposive sampling were applied in data collection with the use of questionnaire, observation checklists, and Interview Guides. The sample size was 86 although 66 respondents were interviewed due to challenges finding such a scattered population of beneficiaries. A questionnaire was the main tool for data collection. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 17.0. Findings indicated that civil society organizations have assumed the role of state in combating the street children problem. The study found out that activities that were considered for this study have a bearing on the success of reintegration of children in the community. The findings deduced that there is a high linear impact (r = 0.825, P-value = 0.000) of activities in child care homes on community reintegration of former street children based on 0.05 statistical level of significance. Many shortcomings and challenges were found to limit the childcare homes’ efforts to accomplish their mission of reintegration of children in the community, preventing the migration of children into the streets, improve the wellbeing of children already living on the streets and re address the imbalances in the social, economic and political power that lead children to the streets. It is essential to examine what can be done to protect children from going to streets. This paper recommended to government strengthening the implementation of the child protection policies and laws at all levels in order to ensure the safety and security of street children in their environments. Government was also advised to support the established rehabilitation centers. Parents should take their role of caring and providing for their children seriously and stop domestic violence. Workers at the -rehabilitation centers were advised to pay more attention to counseling since this was found to transform the children more. The spiritual leaders, they were encouraged to give special attention to homes to rehabilitate street children. This would draw them closer to God. For police officers, they were advised to learn that forceful driving away of children from the streets could not transform children into development children of Uganda. Lastly, government ought to facilitate construction of regional children remand homes to avoid minor law breakers on street from being detained with adults in prisons where they learn more bad behaviors plus being assaulted.