Abstract:

Considering the diversity and complexity of problems of societies, governments inevitably sought help from NGOs in order to resolve part of these problems including the lack of empowerment of street children in the society. Considering the status of children as the future-makers of the society the present research tries to investigate and compare the performance of NGOs in empowering street children.

Statistical population of the present research includes two active NGOs working in the area of street children (Naser Khosro Child House and Shoosh Child House). The survey method, with the aid of statistical tests like Levene and Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used to study the relationship between performance of NGOs and empowering street children. In the present study, resource and empowerment theories including Alsop, Hinson, Nayla Kabir, Freidman, Rocha and Roland were used.

According to the results of analysis the data obtained from 211 questionnaires filled by street children of 9-19 years old, the performance of two NGOs, Naser Khosro Child House and Shoosh Child House, in four aspects of support, health, education and occupation services (independent variables) on the empowerment of street children (mental and socials aspects of empowerment) were investigated. The results show that there is a correlation between the amount of support, health, education and occupation services and the empowerment of street children. Comparing these two NGOs, the theory of difference between them in providing support services and its effect on empowerment of street children was rejected but it was verified that there is a difference in providing health, education and occupation services between them.

Keywords:

Empowerment, street children, performance assessment, social worker’s role, Non Governmental Organizations.