THE CHILD REINTEGRATION PROCESS AND FAMILY WELLBEING: A CASE STUDY OF AGAPE WORLD MINISTRIES, KAMPALA- UGANDA

Abstract

This study examined the child reintegration process done in child care institutions and how it affects the social, economic and mental wellbeing of the reintegrated child and the family receiving the child. A case study was done in Agape World Ministries (AWM) that runs a childcare institution in Najjanakumbi Kampala city. The study used a descriptive design and a mixed method approach in data collection. The population comprised of key respondents the reintegrated children and parents/guardians that were randomly selected and childcare institution workers, government and school officials that were purposively selected. The instruments used for data collection included questionnaire, a semi structured interview guide and focus group discussions. The sample size included 50 reintegrated children, 26 parent/guardians, three childcare institution staff, two probation officers, one Ministry of Gender official and two school administrators. The quantitative data was analysed with descriptive statistics and the qualitative was transcribed, categorized into themes and content analysed. The study revealed that 85% of the key respondents agreed that Agape World Ministries practised the internationally recognized process of child reintegration and it had both positive and negative effects on the wellbeing of the family characterized by joy, relief, satisfaction, livelihood opportunities but also apprehension, economic hardships, shame and ridicule. The study concluded that the recommended reintegration process alone may not ensure family wellbeing. It recommends that individual child and family characteristics be put in consideration together with building strong collaborations with multiple stakeholders that can build and support the economic and social structures of families and communities