Abstract

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.

Department

Public Policy & Administration Department

Degree Name

MA in Public Administration

Graduation Date

2-1-2015

Submission Date

January 2016

First Advisor

Barsoum, Ghada

Committee Member 1

Ali, Hamid

Committee Member 2

Abdelhalim, Khaled

Extent

91 p.

Document Type

Master's Thesis

Rights

The author retains all rights with regard to copyright. The author certifies that written permission from the owner(s) of third-party copyrighted matter included in the thesis, dissertation, paper, or record of study has been obtained. The author further certifies that IRB approval has been obtained for this thesis, or that IRB approval is not necessary for this thesis. Insofar as this thesis, dissertation, paper, or record of study is an educational record as defined in the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20 USC 1232g), the author has granted consent to disclosure of it to anyone who requests a copy.

Institutional Review Board (IRB) Approval

Approval has been obtained for this item

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