Evaluation of Livelihood Programmes in HIV Rural Families by Three Non-Governmental Organisations: A Case Study of Mugoye Sub-County, Kalangala District.

Abstract

ETIANG MOSES (2014-M092-20013) Evaluation of Livelihood Programmes in HIV Rural Families by Three Non-Governmental Organisations: A Case Study of Mugoye Sub-County, Kalangala District. The three (3) Non-Governmental Organisations (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 programmes in HIV rural families by three NGOs in Mugoye sub-county, Kalangala district with specific objectives of ascertaining if the Income Generating Activity (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 programmes. The study adopted a qualitative study design in which six (6) focus group discussions were held with HIV positive persons who were benefiting from the income generating/livelihood programmes and interviews were held with the key focal persons from the organisations. The study findings showed that income generating activity programmes 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 programmes 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 a long-time and characterised by no rules and regulations compliance while the gaps of the programmes as lacking of HIV nutrition support component, failing to promote diversification. Putting into consideration the views of the beneficiaries interviewed, it was, therefore, concluded that to some extent the income generating activity/livelihood programmes 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 in form of IGA is not holistic. It was also concluded that the beneficiaries being in large groups and characterised 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 generating programmes. The study recommended among others that the management of non-governmental organisations should design literacy programmes that put more effort in ensuring the beneficiaries get educated with abilities to monitor the progress of their activities. Key Words: Livelihood Programmes, HIV Rural Families, Non-Governmental Organisations, Kalangala District.