Evaluating the Zoe Empowers Model of Empowering Child and Youth Headed Households in Kenya: Establishing Impact of the Interventions

Improving the lives of orphaned and vulnerable children living in extreme poverty is a priority of both Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs) and governmental agencies but presents many challenges. The study sought to determine the impact of interventions by Zoe Empowers on empowering child or/and youth headed households using a cross-sectional research design.. This study evaluated the effectiveness of Zoe Empowers’ three-year, holistic program based on empowerment. We specifically looked at households that were accepted into the program due to their vulnerability status, have completed the program, and no longer receive interventions. All study participants have been out of the program for a minimum of nine months and a maximum of three years and ten months. A sample of 385 graduates was randomly selected and interviewed, with information gathered on food security and nutrition, housing, community reintegration, health and hygiene, child rights, education and vocational training, business development, household savings and assets, and spiritual health. The study was anchored on the empowerment theory in social work. We found out that program graduates performed well in all sectors, did not show slippage from their conditions at graduation, and excelled compared to the general population of their counties regarding household assets. The study recommends for improved documentation of the model for replication, robust case management process for tracking, monitoring and learning, extended tracking of graduates and enhanced publicity of the program.