Empowering Community Health Volunteers in Rural Kenya: Case Study of Orongo Widows and Orphans Program

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the popularity of Group Income Generating Activities (IGAs) as a way of reducing socio-economic challenges for the typical community health volunteer in Kisumu East District. Kenya. The methodology was descriptive research; a case study of Orongo Widows and Orphans Project International. Kenya. Volunteers were mainly middle aged widows or married women living below the poverty line and doubling up as the main breadwinners for their families. Their biggest challenges were work demands and high expectations while group income generation was found to be highly popular. Volunteers felt that IGAs would both improve teamwork amongst them and enhance their performance. They felt that Group IGAs should be initiated for them either by government agencies or the not-for-profit sector. It is the recommendation of this study that further research is needed to determine the most appropriate ways of establishing these group income generating activities.

Key Words: Volunteerism. Empowerment. Motivation