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The role of non-governmental organizations in addressing street children in Egypt
Both governmental and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have initiated programs to support street children. Despite the fact that the number of NGOs working with this group of children is not large; estimated between 25-35 NGOs, they have existed in Egypt for more than twenty five years and have...
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| Format: | Thesis |
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AUC Knowledge Fountain
2015
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| Summary: | Both governmental and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have initiated programs to support street children. Despite the fact that the number of NGOs working with this group of children is not large; estimated between 25-35 NGOs, they have existed in Egypt for more than twenty five years and have developed many interventions for street children. There is very limited literature that documents this role so far. This study addresses this gap in literature through studying the role of NGOs in Egypt in developing effective interventions for street children. It discusses the current practices of the NGOs, the obstacles they face in their work and their views on how they can have a more tangible impact on these children’s lives. Data was gathered using qualitative research methodology; mainly in-depth interviews from a sample of local and international NGOs’ practitioners as well as key governmental officials/staff. The findings of the study show that local NGOs provide a sequential set of services for street children, starting with family support programs and ending with shelters while international NGOs focus more on capacity development, funding and outreach programs. NGOs are facing many obstacles in their work including: the difficulty to maintain financial sustainability, the limited competence of the NGO staff, their low salaries, the lack of sufficient focus on a preventive policy approaches to having street children, the limited support from the private sector, as well as the limited social awareness about the problem and social stigma associated with street children. NGO practitioners have some recommendations to enhance their interventions such as having improvements in the operations of the NGOs themselves, more coordination among the stakeholders involved in working with street children, more funding provision to NGOs and fighting social stigma. Other recommendations pertain to having an agreement among practitioners about the concept of reception center and more participation of children in devising programs. |
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