Lives Of Beneficiaries Research Articles

Manageability of youth media volunteering: characteristics of activity and organizational conditions

The article is devoted to the study of the experience of young Russians in media volunteering, with the objective of identifying the potential of this type of prosocial activity and determining the conditions for its expansion among youth. The analysis of scientific literature and the results of a sociological survey of youth in the Sverdlovsk region aged 14 to 35 years enabled us to identify the factors and characteristics that facilitate the activation of the subjectivity of the youth in media volunteer initiatives. It was found that in order to increase the manageability of digital volunteering among youth, potential media volunteers must understand the value of their activities in the media. It is necessary to expand interaction not only between the organizers of volunteer activities and volunteers, but also between volunteers and beneficiaries. This condition is also connected with the need to broadcast in the public space both the initiatives themselves and the qualitative changes in the lives of beneficiaries that have occurred thanks to the help of media volunteers. The next important element is the choice of communication channel with potential volunteers. Social networks and online platforms are the most convenient and easy to use for both the organizers and the volunteers themselves. It has been demonstrated that if modern youth possess fundamental digital literacy skills, the primary motivation for participation in media volunteer initiatives among young Ural residents is the prospect of acquiring new knowledge and skills for their professional development. The study indicated that for the effective management of this type of volunteering, a supportive digital environment, which is currently being established in our country through the implementation of federal digital platforms, is crucial. Young Russians are well acquainted with both the "Dobro.RF" online platform and the online portal "We decide to". The results obtained can be used by organizers of social projects in the non-profit sector to improve the efficiency of recruiting young volunteers and expand their functionality.

Financial Empowerment and Entrepreneurial Venture Creation among NGOs’ Beneficiaries in Kwara State, Nigeria: An Empirical Investigation

NGOs place much emphasis on the provision of diverse relevant training, counselling, mentoring, and financial empowerment in cash and equipment grants, loans and subsidies that made little or no impact on the lives of beneficiaries and the economy. Hence, this study examined the impact of financial empowerment and entrepreneurial venture creation among NGO beneficiaries in Kwara State, Nigeria. The study was posited on the empowerment theory. A survey was carried out employing the simple random sampling technique to select 358 respondents from a total of 5,354 sampling frame of NGOs' beneficiaries in Kwara State. Data analysis was performed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The results indicated that financial empowerment contributes significantly to entrepreneurial venture creation among the NGOs' beneficiaries. It was further revealed that cash loans and subsidies offered by NGOs have a positive impact on entrepreneurial venture creation, while grants have an inverse impact on entrepreneurial venture creation. The study, therefore, suggests among other things that the management of NGOs should scrutinize business plans properly before giving loans, grants, and subsidies to the beneficiaries so that only viable and innovative ideas will be funded. Also, they should offer training and enlightenment to beneficiaries to ensure the presence of unique and innovative activities and solutions pointing at entrepreneurial ventures creation.

DESCRIPTION OF THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF POOR HOUSEHOLDS BENEFICLARIES FAMILY HOPE PROGRAM IN MEURAXA SUBDISTRICT, BANDA ACEH

Background: The lack of PKH Beneficiary Families (KPM) who participated in the health examination of pregnant women and toddlers as well as the lack of optimal implementation of education, and still low healthy lifestyle among the community tha causes vulnerable to various diseases, the ability of the community to carrying out daily activities, as well as the ease of access to information, etc. are some factors that affect the level of quality of life of PKH beneficiaries. This study aims to determine factors related to the quality of life of poor families of PKH beneficiaries. Methods: This research is a descriptive study with a cross-sectional design. The sample in the study was 73 respondents in KPM PKH in Meuraxa Subdistrict, Banda Aceh. Analyze data using univariate and Likert scales. Result: Research shows that respondents were predominantly primary education (72.6%), unemployed (58.9%), moderate income (52.1%), number of extended family members (68.5%), long receiving PKH benefits for 3 years (41.1%), ownership of small family assets (60.3%), and respondents with poor quality of life (58.9%). The domain image of physical health quality almost half had a good quality of life (47.6%), psychological domain mostly had a good quality of life (54.1%), the domain of social relations had half good quality of life (50.1%), and the environmental domains almost half have a good quality of life (46.2%). Recommendation: The government needs to intensify the family planning program, so that every household beneficiary of PKH can plan their household better, as well as conduct training and capital loan for small businesses in housewives that can later help the family economy so as to improve the quality of life of the beneficiaries poor of PKH.

Sztuka i socjologia na przykładzie filmów Małgorzaty Szumowskiej

Celem tekstu jest wskazanie związków filmu z socjologią na przykładzie filmów Małgorzaty Szumowskiej. Innym ważnym kontekstem jest połączenie podejścia empowerment (umocnienie) – jego zastosowania w pracy społecznej w kontekście terapii sztuką – z rozwiązywaniem problemów społecznych i podnoszeniem jakości życia beneficjentów tej pomocy. Zainicjowane rozważania mają wskazać użyteczność filmoterapii, zwłaszcza dla praktyki społecznej i edukacyjnej. Metodologia to badania porównawcze i zdobycze pedagogiki emancypacyjnej.

Spór o medyczną klauzulę sumienia a konstytucyjne zasady równości i bezstronności światopoglądowej władz publicznych

W artykule przeanalizowano problem sprzeciwu sumienia z perspektywy konstytucyjnej zasady równości (art. 32 Konstytucji RP) oraz bezstronności światopoglądowej władz publicznych (art. 25 ust. 2). Zasady te zakazują prawodawcy i władzom publicznym wprowadzania nieuzasadnionych nierówności w stosunkach prawnych w sferze publicznej, szczególnie w zakresie podstawowych praw i wolności. Zakazują także arbitralnego opowiadania się po jednej ze stron sporów światopoglądowych, aby uprzywilejowując jedną ze stron nie ograniczać nieproporcjonalnie fundamentalnych praw innych stron. W obszarze świadczeń zdrowotnych konieczność ochrony zdrowia lub życia pacjentów uzasadnia ich uprzywilejowanie w dostępie do świadczeń zdrowotnych oraz nałożenie odpowiednich obowiązków i ograniczeń prawnych w zakresie wolności sumienia na osoby wykonujące zawody medyczne. Jednak większość przypadków manifestowania sprzeciwu sumienia w praktyce medycznej nie dotyczy sytuacji zagrożenia zdrowia lub życia świadczeniobiorców. Co więcej, wynika z woli respektowania zasady poszanowania życia każdej istoty ludzkiej ze strony obdżektora. Spory wokół kwestii ochrony życia poczętego, do których często nawiązuje się w kontekście dyskusji wokół klauzuli sumienia, mają bez wątpienia podłoże światopoglądowe. Jednak nawet zakładając niemożność ich rozstrzygnięcia, nie ma podstaw, aby władze publiczne, w sytuacjach, w których nie występuje konieczność ochrony życia i zdrowia ludzkiego, opowiadały się po stronie poglądu akceptującego naruszanie ludzkiego życia ograniczając jednocześnie wolność postępowania w zgodzie z sumieniem osób przyjmujących pogląd przeciwny. Zatem w przypadkach wykraczających poza konieczność ochrony zdrowia i życia prawodawca nie powinien arbitralnie ograniczać wolności sumienia świadczeniodawców. W przeciwnym przypadku narusza zasadę równości wobec prawa w zakresie podstawowych praw i wolności oraz tworzy ramy prawne dla dyskryminacji niektórych świadczeniodawców ze względu na ich zawód, funkcję lub światopogląd. Niezgodne z zasadą równości byłoby także różnicowanie uprawnień w zakresie sprzeciwu sumienia pomiędzy różnymi grupami osób zaangażowanych w opiekę nad pacjentem.

O PROGRAMA BOLSA FAMÍLIA EM CIDADES PEQUENAS DO NORDESTE DO BRASIL: O CASO DE ALCÂNTARAS E FRECHEIRINHA/CE

O presente trabalho é um estudo sobre os impactos do Programa Bolsa Família (PBF) em duas cidades pequenas da Região Metropolitana de Sobral: Alcântaras e Frecheirinha. Para a realização desta pesquisa, realizamos trabalhos de campo e aplicação de questionários. São duas cidades com predomínio de atividades econômicas distintas. No entanto observamos que o PBF representa uma importante fonte de rendimento as famílias das duas cidades, que é utilizado na aquisição de bens e serviços, aumentando também o seu poder de compra, que por sua vez estimula a produção dos setores de atividades. Essa rotatividade tem impulsionado a economia gerando emprego e renda no comércio local e nas cidades vizinhas, impactando na vida de beneficiários e não beneficiários.
 
 Palavras-chave: Cidades pequenas. Programa Bolsa Família. Beneficiários.

Impact of Microcredit on Women Empowerment Indicators: An empirical reserach in the state of Uttarakhand

Women Empowerment has been on national agenda of every government. In developing nation women comprises fifty percent of the population so empowering them is crucial for development and nation building. Various Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) extends microcredit/loan via group model (Self Help Groups and Joint Liability Groups) to the marginalised segment particularly women groups and minorities primarily residing in rural areas with an aim to empower them and foster their socio-economic development. Previous studies have shown that microcredit has positive impact, but providing credit alone does not guarantee empowerment of the member beneficiaries. From past studies it can be concluded that empowerment demand an integrated approach from all the participating bodies/institutions involved, only then can be the objective of socio-economic development be accomplished. Since today very limited literature is available on microcredit and its impact. The current research examines the impact of microcredit on women empowerment indicators (decision making, awareness and psychological factors) of member beneficiaries in Haridwar district of Uttarakand. Women are organized into groups (Joint Liability Groups) and provided microcredit /loan. Non Probability sampling (Convenience Sampling) technique is adopted in sample selection where access to microcredit serves as independent variable and women empowerment indicators serves as dependent variables. The study consists of sample size of 362 member beneficiaries. Hypothesis testing is applied to find the significant association between the dependent and independent variables. Inferential statistics i.e Chi sq test is used to find the association/relationship between access to microcredit and empowerment indicators. Results indicate that there is no association between access to microcredit and women empowerment indicators. The results indicate that microcredit vial JLGs makes no impact on the empowerment indicators, making no improvement in the lives of its beneficiaries. There is need of regular and continuous impact assessment by credit institutions, participation from states and local bodies, must be analysis of socio-cultural factors and formation of women self administered system are some of the recommendations of the study. The results can be used by various stakeholders in designing better approach and as it provides them information on the areas which needs improvement so that microcredit can bring positive difference in the lives of beneficiaries. Also, it opens doors for further research in order to explore the socio-cultural factors which influence women empowerment.

Back to Basics

Nonprofits are under increased accountability pressures to demonstrate their effectiveness. Output measurement (how much is produced) is disregarded as simplistic. Emphasis is made instead on measuring outcomes (changes in the lives of beneficiaries) or impacts (effects developed relative to the mission of the nonprofit, or the overall public good), and a growing portion of organizations state that they measure these effects. However, we question the assumption that outputs such as the number of beneficiaries served are being adequately measured. We first review existing research gaps on results measurement practices and discuss the main types of obstacles to the quality and utility of evaluation data. In this context, we argue for the need to reground nonprofit evaluation in the profound knowledge available about beneficiary populations. We discuss the potential and limitations of reach, a basic output indicator that is defined as the number of individuals directly affected by a nonprofit, and explore the organizational drivers of reach measurement. Evidence from 2,229 nonprofits shows they still lack adequate data on the beneficiaries they serve, face relevant conceptual and practical hurdles when trying to identify them, and are significantly influenced by organizational factors in their capacity to track them. Our research not only shows that nonprofits fail to adequately measure outputs, but also that measuring the number of beneficiaries served and how they are served is not as straightforward as outcome and impact advocates suggest. Practitioners and funders are reminded of the need to place beneficiaries at the core of their evaluation efforts.

Social Services Impact on Community Development in the Philippines: Case of Kapit-Bisig Sa Kahirapan Project in Camarines Sur

NOTE: THIS ARTICLE WAS PUBLISHED WITH THE INFORMING SCIENCE INSTITUTE. Aim/Purpose................................................................................................................................................................................................ The general purpose of this study is to examine the impact of the KALAHI-CIDSS project on community development in the East Coastal Area of Lagonoy, Camarines Sur, Philippines after its implementation. Background................................................................................................................................................................................................ Examining the impact of the KALAHI-CIDSS project on community development helps to determine the program’s priority issues that the government should be able to address. Methodology................................................................................................................................................................................................ This study used a purely qualitative method in gathering data following the case study design, and employed three different data gathering techniques. This method was used to develop in-depth analysis and provide appropriate baseline information on the impact of the KALAHI-CIDSS project on community development. Contribution................................................................................................................................................................................................ The results of this endeavor will generate useful information for concerned Philippine government agencies to improve their programs or projects to-ward societal development. The formulation of possible relevant policies or additional activities under this project will deliver essential development to the lives of beneficiaries in terms of combating poverty and ensuring safety and protection during the onslaught of natural catastrophes. Findings...................................................................................................................................................................................................... The KALAHI-CIDSS project, while not free from flaws, has gained a lot of recognition as an effective poverty reduction program because of the job opportunities it generated in the poor communities, particularly in the East Coastal Area of Lagonoy. Significantly, it helped the community stakeholders to establish shared trust, mutual understanding, and cooperation among them. Its implementation promotes gender equality and stake-holder empowerment, upholding accountability and transparency in the community. Recommendations for Practitioners.......................................................................................................................................................... The construction of infrastructures (e.g. seawalls) kept residents safe and protected from natural hazards. However, since poverty is a multi-dimensional issue, the government should not concentrate predominantly on the economic aspect of the lives of the Filipinos. Instead, they need to establish collaborative efforts with various government agencies to combat the prevalent problems in the country. Recommendation for Researchers............................................................................................................................................................ There is still room to examine different aspects of this program such as different measurement and analysis to figure out how influential this program is. Impact on Society........................................................................................................................................................................................ The significant positive feedback from the stakeholders may be used as baseline data to continually implement the project to those communities that need to be safe, protected and developed, as well as to reduce the poverty incidence. However, the implementing agency must consider the weaknesses found in this study as a guide for improved project implementation. Future Research.............................................................................................................................................................................................. The information generated in this study has the potential to be helpful to the scientific community focusing on the impact of KALAHI-CIDSS on community development. However, this does not provide enough concrete and empirical measurements that could actually provide scientific information regarding the impact of the project. Thus, conducting further investigation about the impact of KALAHI-CIDSS on community development by employing quantitative methods will be the future focus of the author. Utilizing a quantitative approach will provide the comprehensive and objective type of processes, tests, and results needed in order to be able to generalize the project’s impact on KALAHI-CIDSS beneficiaries all over the Philippines.

“Life and Debt”: Assessing the Impacts of Participatory Housing Reconstruction in Post-Conflict Sri Lanka

The Owner Driven Housing Assistance (ODHA) scheme is a donor and government supported initiative to help construct housing for internally displaced persons (IDPs) returning to their original areas of residence after the end of the Sri Lankan Civil War in 2009. While ODHA is a commendable initiative for rebuilding the lives of those displaced by war, available evidence indicates an increase in household debt among the beneficiaries of such housing schemes and their vulnerability to livelihood insecurities after resettlement. Based on an analysis of the socio-economic status of ODHA beneficiaries in the northern Sri Lankan districts of Mullaitivu, Kilinochchi and Jaffna, this paper concludes that the financing modality of the housing programme has had a catalytic effect on indebtedness among beneficiaries. An inadequate understanding of the social, economic and cultural contexts that define the lives of beneficiaries on the part of donors and implementers appears to be contributing to unintended and negative repercussions of housing assistance. This paper illustrates how post-war participatory development projects such as the ODHA scheme can further exacerbate the vulnerability of war-affected populations, unless donors and policy makers have a holistic understanding of the varying contexts that define the experiences of those receiving development assistance.

The Impact of Self Help Group Approach in the Lives of Beneficiaries at Household Level: The Case of Children’s Home Society and Family Services, Hosanna Family Empowerment Program

The study was conducted to find out the impacts of Self Help Groups (SHGs) Approach in the lives of beneficiaries at household level: in case of Hosanna Family Empowerment Program which is part of the development projects of Children’s Home Societies and Family Services (CHSFS). Children’s Home Society and Family Services (CHSFS) is one of the international not-for profit organizations in Ethiopia which are promoting SHG approach as a model for transformational development. Self-Help Group is an informal association of people in a village, hamlet or urban neighborhood with the principal objective of empowering destitute women economically, socially, politically, institutionally and spiritually. The researcher focused on analyzing the significant impacts of SHGs compared to other developmental endeavors undertaken by the organization under the study with the following specific objectives in mind: To investigate if the economic aspects of the beneficiaries at household level demonstrated improvement. To assess if SHG approach has brought the desired results on the lives of the beneficiaries in the social, political and leadership aspects of their lives. To recommend if SHG could be adopted as a development model for mitigating poverty at the national level. The researcher used questionnaire for educated respondents and scheduled interview for illiterate respondents. In order to enhance the validity of the research, both qualitative and quantitative methods were applied in the research. The analysis of the findings of the research reveals that involvement in SHGs has significant economic and social contributions on the lives of poor women.

Analysis of Cagayan de Oro City Social Welfare Development Microfinancing Program and its Impact on the Lives of Beneficiaries

This descriptive study explored the micro-financing program of the City Social Welfare and Development Office of Cagayan de Oro City. The study pursued the following objectives: 1) to measure the level of adequacy and effectiveness of the implementations of microfinance program, 2) to determine its impact on the lives of the beneficiaries, and 3) to determine the significant relationship between the implementation of the program and its impact on the quality of life of the beneficiaries. The respondents were the 164 beneficiaries of six villages in the city. Standardized questionnaire, supplemented with FGD’s, was the main tool in data gathering. Results show that the beneficiaries’ quality of social, economic, political, and spiritual life significantly improved due to the adequacy and effectiveness of the implementation of the microfinancing program of the City Social Welfare and Development Office of the City. Data gathered were processed using the weighted mean and Pearson Product Moment Correlation. In conclusion, small loans used for backyard business generate income, thereby having the potential to reduce poverty; financial gain improves health and self-confidence; and microfinancing helps individual cope with unemployment.  Keywords - Finance, microfinancing program, social welfare development, descriptive design, Philippines. Â

Opportunities for the Poor, Co‐responsibilities for Women: Female Capabilities and Vulnerability in Human Development Policy and Practice

This paper looks at a particular type of anti‐poverty aid and its implications for gender inequality. The development model underpinning the Mexican Oportunidades Programme, a ‘flagship’ in Latin America, focuses on the reduction of inter‐generational poverty through transfers conditioned on ‘co‐responsibilities’ fulfilled especially by mothers and aimed at strengthening the human capital of household members. Through a consultant‐insider narrative on the tension between this policy model and the actual lives of beneficiaries, the paper scrutinizes the delivery of the Programme in the light of the capabilities approach. Some case studies are then examined within this framework, assessing the position of women in each case by reviewing the state of their capabilities and resources. This exercise reveals social relationships obscured by the Programme’s representations and assumptions of gender roles within families, pointing to a significant failure to address women’s own needs by development schemes aimed at poverty rather than at inequality.

Evaluating the availability of British social 'venture' capital on the impact of social entrepreneurship

The social entrepreneurship sector in Britain sits between government, banks and venture capital on the one hand; and charity or welfare and venture philanthropy on the other. Representative peak bodies in the sector are responsive to one another but are also independent organisations. This paper evaluates the potential of a cluster of peak bodies able to provide support and infrastructure as social venture enablers. A six-factor grid for venture capital success or failure has been adapted to analyse case study data. An outstanding outcome is the quality of the enablement expressed (a) in the empowerment of local ventures; and (b) in the lives of beneficiaries.

Consumer-Directed Home and Community Services Programs in Eight States

This study assesses consumer-directed home and community services for older persons by examining public programs that serve this population in eight states. These programs give beneficiaries, rather than agencies, the power to hire, train, supervise, and fire workers. Most stakeholders interviewed, in addition to the quantitative research, indicate that many older beneficiaries want to and can manage their services, although significant issues arise for persons with cognitive impairments. Research results suggest better, or, at least, no worse, quality of life for beneficiaries when they direct their services, although quality of services remains a contentious issue. For workers, consumer-directed care has some disadvantages, including fewer fringe benefits. With exceptions, state agencies have not provided extensive consumer or worker support or aggressively regulated quality of care.