An Analysis of the Contributions of Compassion International on Poverty Reduction in Uganda: A Case of Ntungamo District

This study analyzed the contributions of Compassion International (CI) in the fight against poverty in Uganda with a case study of the CDCs in Ntungamo as a district. Specifically, the study explored the Compassion development aspects employed in reducing poverty, form of child plus family participation, the benefits obtained by poor children and their families from the services offered by Compassion, and the working relationship between CI and Local Government. The study employed both cross-sectional and descriptive research designs. The study explored a great collection and analysis of both quantitative and qualitative data. The study population constituted 1558 households that were beneficiaries of six CDCs in Ntungamo district. Simple random sampling was used to select 300 participants while purposive sampling was used to select 18 key informants. A Close and open-ended structured Questionnaire, face-to-face interview, Focused Group Discussion and observation were used to collect primary data. The study adopted descriptive statistics, content and narrative analysis to examine the development aspects, and the form of child and family participation in compassion activities, benefits obtained by poor children and their families from services offered by compassion and the working relationship between CDCs and Local Government in reducing poverty. The results showed that social-emotional development is the most effective approach used. There was a significant child and family participation nonetheless, child and family -sponsor relationship and communication were controlled which denied them more opportunities. Providing education to children was the most benefit received poor children but ineffective to poverty reduction. Income generations which is one of the major benefits was not realized in beneficiary’s households thus the sustainability of dependency syndrome. The study concluded that the working relation Compassion International and stakeholders was poor. It was therefore, recommended that compassion international should provide full education sponsorship and greatly empower beneficiaries through income generation initiatives and encourage the government to actively participate in her programs for successful outcomes.