Journals Information
International Journal of Social Work and Human Services Practice(CEASE PUBLICATION) Vol. 6(2), pp. 30 - 45
DOI: 10.13189/ijrh.2018.060202
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Self-help Groups as a Means for Development and Welfare: Their Characteristics, Membership and Performance in Kenya
Preston O., Chitere *
Department of Sociology and Social Work, University of Nairobi, Kenya
ABSTRACT
In Kenya, self-help groups are the main means used by change agencies to work with members of communities on development and welfare matters. However, only a few studies of self-help groups have been completed in the country. This study was based on the self-help approach, the life cycle of self-help groups and the social capital conceptual perspectives. Data presented in this article were collected from 23 self-help groups and their 15 members from nine districts (now, counties) of the country. It was found, among other things, that leaders of the groups were aware of various problems of their communities as well as registration requirements for their groups. Most of the groups had been formed by local leaders with development and welfare concerns as their objectives. About 70 per cent of the groups had performed better compared to the remaining ones. However, among the characteristics of the groups studied, only their formalization in terms of better observance of corporate governance practices and number of activities they carried out explained their better performance compared to the others. Whereas the groups had 15 or more members at the time of registration with the Department of Gender and Social Development, the membership of about a third of them had declined below the required 15 members after their registration. Most of the members were youthful, married and with dependents. All of the members sampled reported making monetary and other contributions, and more than half reported benefitting from their groups. We examined a few groups in detail as case studies and obtained more insights from them on their formation, membership, objectives, activities, performance, achievements and challenges. It was concluded that self-help groups were positively contributing in meeting the development and welfare needs of their members and that there was potential for their efforts to be strengthened.
KEYWORDS
Self-help Groups, Community, Development, Welfare, Members, Leaders, Activities, Performance, Achievements
Cite This Paper in IEEE or APA Citation Styles
(a). IEEE Format:
[1] Preston O., Chitere , "Self-help Groups as a Means for Development and Welfare: Their Characteristics, Membership and Performance in Kenya," International Journal of Social Work and Human Services Practice(CEASE PUBLICATION), Vol. 6, No. 2, pp. 30 - 45, 2018. DOI: 10.13189/ijrh.2018.060202.
(b). APA Format:
Preston O., Chitere (2018). Self-help Groups as a Means for Development and Welfare: Their Characteristics, Membership and Performance in Kenya. International Journal of Social Work and Human Services Practice(CEASE PUBLICATION), 6(2), 30 - 45. DOI: 10.13189/ijrh.2018.060202.