Evaluation of livelihood programs in HIV rural families by three NGOS

Abstract

The three (3) NGOs identified for the purpose of this study contribute to improvement of livelihoods of HIV rural families in Mugoye Sub County. The study was set to evaluate livelihood programs in HIV Rural families by three NGOs in Mugoye Sub County ,Kalangala district with specific objectives of ascertaining if the IGA-livelihood programmes fulfilled the dimensions of economic development, establishing the perceived success by the beneficiaries, find out the challenges and the gaps associated with the different income generating programs. The study adopted a qualitative study design in which six (6) focused group discussions were held with the HIV Positive persons who were benefiting from the income generating/livelihood programs and interviews were held with the key focal persons from the organizations. The study findings showed that income generating activity programs in HIV Rural families by three (3) NGOs fulfilled the quantitative dimension of economic development through the increase in business activity start up and increased savings among others and the qualitative dimension through training the different groups. It was also found that individuals had benefited from the income generating programs in terms of receiving loans, increasing ability to educate their children, and increasing savings among others. The study however found the challenges faced as being in large groups, taking longtime and characterized by no rules and regulations compliance while the gaps of the programs as lacking of HIV nutrition support component, failing to promote diversification. Putting into considerations the views of the beneficiaries interviewed, it was therefore concluded that to some extent the income generating activity/livelihood programs in HIV Rural families by three (3) NGOs has improved on the economic development of these families with benefits ranging from receiving of loans to starting business and beneficiaries getting training among others. However, the support given inform of IGA is not holistic. It was also concluded that the beneficiaries being in large groups and characterized by no rules and regulations compliance among others were the challenges while lack of HIV nutrition support component besides promotion of laziness as the gaps in the income