THE ROLE OF NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS (NGOS) TOWARD COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT A CASE STUDY OF MERCY CORPS’ GIRLS IMPROVING RESILIENCE THROUGH LIVELIHOODS AND HEALTH (GIRL-H) PROGRAMME IN UNGOGGO LGA, KANO STATE
Abstract
This study examines the role of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in promoting community development, with a specific focus on Mercy Corps' Girls Improving Resilience through Livelihoods and Health (GIRL-H) program in Ungoggo Local Government Area (LGA), Kano State, Nigeria. Against the backdrop of persistent socio-economic challenges such as poverty, gender inequality, and limited access to education and healthcare in developing countries, NGOs like Mercy Corps have emerged as key partners in grassroots development. The research aims to assess the program's activities, impacts, challenges, and strategies for improvement, addressing gaps in understanding the effectiveness of NGO-led interventions.
Adopting a descriptive survey research design, data were collected from 20 respondents—including adolescent girls, Mercy Corps staff, community leaders, and parents—using questionnaires and interviews. Quantitative data were analyzed via descriptive statistics and inferential tests (e.g., Chi-square), while qualitative data employed thematic analysis.
Key findings reveal that the GIRL-H program significantly enhances livelihood training, health education, and economic resilience among adolescent girls, leading to improved socio-economic status, reduced early marriage, and community development. However, challenges such as inadequate funding, cultural barriers, and limited community participation hinder full effectiveness. Respondents unanimously supported expanding the program, increasing funding, and strengthening sensitization efforts.
The study concludes that NGOs play a complementary role to government efforts in fostering sustainable development, emphasizing the need for collaborative strategies to overcome obstacles. Recommendations include scaling up interventions, enhancing funding, and promoting cultural sensitivity. Theoretically, the findings align with participatory and empowerment theories, while practically, they inform policymakers and NGOs on optimizing community-based programs. Limitations include a small sample size and reliance on perceptual data, suggesting avenues for future longitudinal research.
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