IMPACT OF COMMUNITY BASED APPROACH IN THE REHABILITAITON OF ORPHANS IN DEKINA LOCAL GOVERNMENT, KOGI STATE

Community based approach is crucial for effective and sustainable rehabilitation of orphans. This makes it imperative for the study to examine the Impact of Community based Approach in the Rehabilitation of Orphans in Dekina Local Government, Kogi State. The study utilized four research questions, objectives and hypothesis. The study used primary data collected with the aid of questionnaire, oral/in-depth interview and focus group discussion. The data were analyzed using descriptive simple percentage and chi-square statistic test of hypothesis. The result based on the descriptive simple and chi-square statistic test of hypothesis revealed that community based approach has positive impact in the rehabilitation of orphans in Dekina Local Government. The study concluded that community based approach has positive impact in the rehabilitation of orphans through education, primary health care, establishment of orphanage homes and creation of job opportunities. The study therefore recommended that Community Stakeholders should come together to mobilize funds and resources either for setting up business, or getting employment for all orphans integrated into society to ensure that their living conditions do not deteriorate. It is defying all logic for taking care of them when young and just dumps them when they become adults. The orphans’ problem would persist, creating more problems for Dekina Local Government such as increase in crime as improperly rehabilitated orphans would go into the streets begging, mugging people, rape or even murder and engage in other vises such as prostitution for the girl child, increase the spread of HIV/AIDS, unwanted pregnancies and all sorts of immoral activities