THE ROLE OF NGOS IN IMPROVING THE LIVELIHOOD OF THE OLDER

PERSONS IN LAROO DIVISION, GULU MUNICIPALITY, GULU DISTRICT

BY

LINDA AKONYO

13/U/1653/GAE/PS

A RESEARCH PROPOSAL SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF

THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE AWARD OF THE DEGREE OF

BACHELOR OF ARTS EDUCATION OF GULU UNIVERSITY.

AUGUST, 2016

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 DECLARATION
I, Akony Linda, hereby declare that this research report entitled, “The role of NGOs in
improving the livelihood of the older persons in Laroo division, Gulu municipality, Gulu
district” is my own work and it has never been submitted for any degree or diploma award to
any institution.

Sign………………………… Date……………………………

Akong Linda

13/U/1653/GAE/PS

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 APPROVAL
This is to satisfy that this research report is being submitted for examination with my
approval as a University supervisor.

Signed………………………………… Date…………………………………………

Mr. Victor Oculi

(Supervisor)

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 DEDICATION
I dedicate this piece of work to my beloved father Mr. Thomas Nyeko and mother Ms.
Everline Akot Nyeko, who did not only bring me into this world but laid a good foundation
for my education, and also imparted in me the spirit of discipline, hard work, determination,
love and care for others through their inspirational and motivational words of courage to
continue with the struggle even in hard conditions. My lovely Uncle Mr. Jerome Anywar;
brothers, Patrick, Calvin & Dan, sisters, Mary & Crady; Friends, Phili Ochola, Immaculate
and all BAE III 2013-2016 members. May God bless you in abundance.

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 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

First and foremost, I would like in a special way to express my gratitude to God Almighty for
his love and care that he granted me during this struggle in Gulu University for the past three
years, especially for guiding me, my supervisor and all my lecturers whom through their
support in any way made me write and produce this report which was not an easy path,
therefore I pray for your continuous blessing with wisdom to allow us accomplish more task
on this earth successfully in a way that we may always pleasure you, oh God.
Secondly, I would like to thank my supervisor Mr. Victor Oculi for sacrificing fully his time,
energy, guidance, to ensure that I accomplish this work in time and in an acceptable quality.
In the same vein, am thanking all my lecturers who nurtured and made me, who I am now.
May Almighty God bless you in abundance to nurture the next coming generations.

I would like to wholly express my heartfelt gratitude to my beloved brother Mr. Jerome
Anywar for showing me direction, guiding me through advice, loving and trusting. To my
beloved grandmother Ms. Elizabeth Odong; Brothers, Nyeko Patrick, Odong Calvin, Dan,
and my sisters Abalo Crady, Amal Mary, and my beloved husband Mr. Philip Ochola and all
coursemates.

May Almighty God reward you with blessing of wisdom abundantly.

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Table of Contents
Title page....................................................................................................................................i
Table of Contents.......................................................................................................................ii
LIST OF ABBREVIATION.....................................................................................................iii
CHAPTER ONE........................................................................................................................1
INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY.................................................1
1.0 Introduction 1
1.1 Background of the study 1
1.2 Statement of the problem 2
1.3 General objectives of the study 3
1.4 Specific objectives 3
1.5 Research Questions 4
1.6.0 Scope of the study 4
1.6.1 Geographical scope....................................................................................................4
1.6.2 Content Scope............................................................................................................4
1.6.3 Time scope.................................................................................................................4
1.7 Significance of the study 4
1.8 Definition of key terms 5
CHAPTER TWO.......................................................................................................................6
LITERATURE REVIEW...........................................................................................................6
1.0 Introduction 6
2.1 The situation of older persons 6
2.2 The roles of NGOs in improving the livelihood of Older Persons 9
2.3 The strategies in place to reduce the vulnerability level of older persons 18
2.4 Gaps in the literature 21
CHAPTER THREE..................................................................................................................22
METHODOLOGY...................................................................................................................22
3.0 Introduction 22
3.1 Research design22
3.2. Study Area 22
3.3 Study population 22
3.3.1 Sample size..............................................................................................................22

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 3.3.2 Sampling techniques................................................................................................23
3.4 Sources of the data 23
3.4.1 Primary source.........................................................................................................23
3.4.2 Secondary source.....................................................................................................23
3.5 Data collection instruments 23
3.5.1 Questionnaires.........................................................................................................23
3.5.2 Interview technique..................................................................................................24
3.6 Ethical consideration 24
3.7 Data processing, analysis and presentation 24
3.8 Limitations of the study 24
3.9 Delimitation 25
TIME FRAME/SCHEDULE...................................................................................................27
BUDGET ESTIMATES...........................................................................................................28
APPENDICES..........................................................................................................................29
APPENDIX I: QUESTIONNAIRE FOR OLDER PERSONS 29
APPENDIX II: QUESTIONNAIRE FOR NGOs 32
APPENDIX III: INTERVIEW GUIDE FOR CIVIL SERVANTS 35
APPENDIX IV: INTERVIEW GUIDE FOR LC’S 36

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iv
List of Table

iii
List of figures

iv
 LIST OF ABBREVIATION
FAO Food and Agriculture Organization

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ILO International Labour Organization

MDGs Millennium Development Goals

OCMGs Older Citizen Monitoring Groups

OPAs Older Persons Associations

SAGE Social Action Grants Expansion

OECD Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development

OHCHR Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights

SAGE World Health Organization Study on Global Ageing and Adult Health

UNAIDS Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS

UNICEF United Nations Children’s Fund

UNDESA United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs

UNDP United Nations Development Programme

UNFPA United Nations Population Fund

UN Habitat United Nations Human Settlements Programme

UNHCR Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

UN Women United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women

WFP World Food Programme

WHO World Health Organization

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 Abstract

The study was focused on assessing the roles of NGOs in improving the livelihoods of Older
Persons in Laroo division, Gulu municipality, Gulu district and the main questions in this
study were; What is the vulnerability level of Older Persons in Laroo division?, What are the
roles of NGOs in improving the livelihoods of Older Persons in Laroo division?, and What
are the possible strategies for addressing the vulnerability level of Older Persons in Laroo
division Gulu municipality, Gulu district?
In attempt to answer these questions, the researcher based on 65 respondents, used
administered questionnaires and Key informant interviews and observation method of data
collection as well as descriptive survey, qualitative and quantitative researcher designs.
The data from the field were analyzed using Microsoft Excel application in terms of tables,
diagrams and intensive interpretations for easy and quicker understanding by the reader as a
lot of huge data were condensed.
The study found out that the vulnerability level of older persons in Laroo division is high
because of various factors like high poverty, high consumption of alcohol and cigarette by
older persons themselves, among others that have subjected older person to high famine,
diseases incidences, and high suffering among other poor living conditions.

The study hence revealed that NGOs have been working hard to improve on the livelihood of
the older persons in the division through many activities and services such as sensitizing local
people, safe and clean drinking water, basic necessities like food, medication, drilling of safe
and cleaning drinking water, creating cooperative of older persons, among others that have
empowered that few beneficiaries thus improved on their standard of living through health
improvement. It then suggested mobilizing older person in to groups would help them acquire
financial support from different organization, providing monetary support, sensitizing the
community on dangers of alcoholism, providing direct basic necessity to older persons as the
main strategies of addressing the high vulnerability level of older persons in the division.

The study recommended that older persons are important to the enhancement of high societal
socio-economic development therefore citizens, NGOs and central government should put
full commitments in formulating, implementing and sustaining the various programmes that
would help maintain the good health of these older persons so that they continue to serve
their various societies. And that older persons should live by example in the society.

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 CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

1.0 Introduction
This chapter consists of background, problem statement, objectives of the study, research
questions, scope of the study, and significance. To get more understanding to finding out the
contribution of NGOs on improving the livelihood of the older persons in Laroo division.

1.1 Background of the study

According to National Older persons Policy, 2009, Older Persons are defined as persons aged
60 years and above. In Uganda older persons contribute immensely to the creation of wealth,
support and care for children including HIV/AIDS orphans, creation of social cohesion and
conflict resolution in their communities and the nation as a whole. Older persons make
valuable contributions to society as guardians of traditions and cultural values which are
passed on from generation to generation. In cognisance of the valuable contributions older
persons make, the Government is committed to enhancing their potentials by establishing a
framework to address their needs and rights.

According to the 1991 Uganda Population and Housing Census, the population of older
persons was 686,260 (4.1%) of the total population of 16,671,705. This population increased
to 1,101,039 (4.6%) as per the Uganda Population and Housing Census results of 2002. The
Uganda National Household Survey (UNHS) Report 2005/06 estimated the population of
older persons at 1,196,439 of which 634,156 were females while 562,283 were male. The
Uganda National Household Survey (UNHS) Report 2009/2010 indicates that the population
of older persons in Uganda was 1,304,464.The males were 600,653 and the females were
703,811. This indicates that in 14 years the population of older persons had nearly doubled in
absolute terms and such an increase has profound consequences at individual, community and
national level.

Currently, the formal social security system under the Uganda National Pensions Scheme and
the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) covers only 7.1% of the workforce in Uganda. The
few beneficiaries of pensions face multiple difficulties in processing their retirement benefits
such as centralisation of the system, distance from upcountry and inordinate delays in
disbursement of their payments. Ninety three (93%) of the older persons under the informal
sector do not access any form of social pension.

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The study of the Health Needs of Older Persons by the MGLSD in 2002 indicates that older
persons are the worst hit by food insecurity and poor nutrition. They mainly feed on
carbohydrates and take only one meal a day. Inadequate food intake and poor diet pre-
disposes older persons to malnutrition, ill health, emaciation and chronic energy deficiency.
Nutrition research and interventions tend to focus on the needs of under-fives, lactating
mothers and other younger population groups. This focus has resulted in a failure to
acknowledge the food and nutritional needs of older persons. The nutrition assessments and
training curriculum exclude older persons.

The Study on Social Protection in Uganda (2002) by Ministry of Gender Labour and Social
Development (MGLSD) asserts that ill-health is a major source of worry and stress among
older persons. Common health problems of the older persons include hypertension, stroke,
diabetes, heart diseases, trachoma and blindness that often lead to complications and
permanent incapacitation. Poor health reduces the capacity of older persons to generate
income, curtails their productivity and compels them to depend on other people. Older
persons can hardly afford the costs of travelling to the health facilities at the sub-district or in
urban centres where they could access the comprehensive Uganda National Minimum Health
Care Package (UNMHCP) provided by the Health Sector. Even where the older persons can
access the UNMHCP, the package does not include drugs that treat diseases unique to older
persons. Their health problems are compounded by lack of money for seeking treatment or
buying drugs from private medical facilities or pharmacies. This is further exacerbated by
lack of geriatricians.

1.2 Statement of the problem

The majority of older persons live in rural areas where poverty is rife, economic opportunities
are limited. They work in the agricultural sector, which is characterised by fluctuations in
produce prices, irregular income and low returns to labour. About 85% of the active older
persons are engaged in crop farming with no social security, rendering them totally
vulnerable. Older persons are often denied credit by financial institutions due to the
misconception that they are risky borrowers. The UNHS 2005/06 report indicates that 2.1
million (13.7%) of the children who would ordinarily have been raised by their parents are
under the care of older persons.

The situation of older persons in northern Uganda is characterized by the majority of older
persons live in rural areas, most of them left the IDP camp sites though a few have still

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remained, Their return was slow because of their inability to build homes for themselves and
non prioritization (neglect) of their needs by their next of kin. At home, most of them remain
very poor because they cannot till land and are unable to regain what they lost during the war.
As a result, they are faced with food insecurity and poor nutrition, poor feeding exposes them
to ill health including chronic energy deficiency, failing eye site and weak bones.

A high percentage live in poorly constructed temporary grass thatched huts with no proper
sanitation and latrines – which poses a big challenge especially during rainy seasons. In water
stressed locations in the region, older persons who cannot move long distances to safe water
sources drink contaminated water leading to ill health – and yet there are few health facilities
within walking distance for their sake.

HelpAge International through its partners HealthAlert Uganda, Caritas Gulu Archdiocese
and TPO has been implementing social protection programme to enhance the livelihood of
older persons in northern Uganda particularly in the districts of Gulu, Nwoya and Amuru and
Karamoja region in the district of Kotido and Napak. HelpAge International with its partners
has been implementing projects on livelihood, health and HIV/AIDS, networking and
advocacy for friendly services delivery for Older Persons such as Social Action Grants
Expansion(SAGE) whereby older persons receive every month 25, 000= to buy their basic
needs. With the contribution of HelpAge International and its partners on improving the
livelihood of older persons, there is still not enough therefore there is need to investigate the
roles of NGOs in improving the livelihoods on Older Persons in Laroo division, Gulu
municipality, Gulu district.

1.3 General objectives of the study

To examine the roles of NGOs in improving the livelihoods of Older Persons in Laroo
division, Gulu municipality, Gulu district.

1.4 Specific objectives

a. To examine the vulnerability level of Older Persons in Laroo division, Gulu
municipality, Gulu district.
b. To assess the roles of NGOs in improving the livelihoods of Older Persons in Laroo
division, Gulu municipality, Gulu district.
c. To establish the strategies in place to reduce the vulnerability level of Older Persons
in Laroo division, Gulu municipality, Gulu district.

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1.5 Research Questions
a. What is the vulnerability level of Older Persons in Laroo division Gulu municipality,
Gulu district?
b. What are the roles of NGOs in improving the livelihoods of Older Persons in Laroo
division Gulu municipality, Gulu district?
c. What are the possible strategies for addressing the vulnerability level of Older Persons
in Laroo division Gulu municipality, Gulu district?

1.6.0 Scope of the study

1.6.1 Geographical scope

The study aimed at examining the roles of NGOs in improving the livelihood of Older
Persons in Laroo division, Gulu municipality Gulu district. The study will be in parishes of
Iriaga, Queens, Pece prison and Agwee.

1.6.2 Content Scope

The study handled the roles of NGOs in improving the livelihood of Older Persons in Laroo
division Gulu municipality.

1.6.3 Time scope

The study covered the period between 2010-2016 so that data collection can be
comprehensively to help inform the researcher on detail information on the roles of NGOs on
improving the livelihoods of Older Persons for good data analysis.

1.7 Significance of the study

The report of the study will be used by NGOs in formulating policies that will help cater for
the needs of Older Persons vulnerability.

The findings of the study will help inform policy makers in policy design to address the
challenges facing Older Persons.

Academically, this study will contribute to the existing body of knowledge, useful to present
and future scholars, researchers and students interested on Older.

The study will enable the researcher meet the requirements for the award of the Degree of
Arts Education of Gulu University.

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1.8 Definition of key terms
Older Persons; According to the National Older Persons Policy an older person is a person
age 60 years and above.

Social Action Grants Expansion it is money (25,000=) given to Older Persons by the
government to fulfil their economic needs.

Social protection; these are measures to mitigate on the vulnerability levels of a particular
group of people.

HelpAge International is an international Non-Governmental Organization working for and

with Older Persons in 72 countries around the world with its main office in the United
Kingdom to make Older Persons live a dignified life.

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 CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW

1.0 Introduction
The chapter captured the theoretical review of relevant literatures on the roles of NGOs in
improving the livelihood of the older persons in Laroo division Gulu municipality, Gulu
district. The review of the literature was based on the research objectives to examine the
vulnerability level of Older Persons, assess the roles of NGOs in improving the livelihoods of
Older Persons and establish the strategies in place to reduce the vulnerability level of Older
Persons in Laroo division, Gulu municipality, Gulu district

2.1 The situation of older persons

The number of older persons aged 60 years and above are living on less than one US Dollars
a day are as 18 million in Africa, 18 million in Sub Saharan Africa, 55 million in Asia and 7
million in Latin America & Caribbean and this led to the intervention by different NGOs and
stakeholders for intervention through social protection of older persons especially by
HelpAge International, world Bank, WHO and UN in general and various governments.

The difference between current life expectancies and longevity is currently about five to
seven years in most industrialized countries, but as life tables become more rectangular, this
difference will diminish. In developing countries, however, the difference can still be
considerable. In Ethiopia, for example, the female life expectancy was estimated by the
World Health Organization (WHO) at 56 years in 2009, but according to the same life table,
the modal age at death was as high as 75 years.

The difference in life expectancy at birth between the regions with the highest and lowest life
expectancy, is 31 years. There also are big variations in life expectancy at age 60 between
developed and developing regions. At age 60, a woman in Western Africa can expect to live
for another 16 years. On the other hand, a 60-year-old woman in Northern America can
expect to live another 25 years. The life expectancy at the age of 60 years from 2010-2015 in
developed countries for men is at 21 years and female is 25 years old while for developing
countries is men at 18 years old and women at 20 years old.

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Gender differences

Women tend to live longer than men, with the result that there are more older women
worldwide than older men. In 2012, for every 100 women aged 60, there were 84 men. The
proportion of women rises further with age. For every 100 women aged 80 or over
worldwide, there are only 61 men. The so-called “feminization of ageing”, particularly the
relatively large proportion of the “oldest old” who are women, has important implications for
policy. Women and men differ on several issues that are relevant for ageing policies. They
have different health and morbidity patterns and women usually have lower income but larger
and better family support networks (UNDESA, Population Division, 2012).

Men and women experience old age differently. Older women tend to have stronger social
networks than men and there is evidence that mothers are more likely than fathers to receive
material and emotional support from their adult children. Older women are also more likely
than older men to be caregivers of children or sick relatives, particularly in families affected
by migration or illness. Men’s greater economic role means that loss of earning power can
have negative consequences for their roles in society after they have retired. Traditional roles
in the household can result in older men becoming more isolated once they retire from their
jobs.

Both older men and older women may face age discrimination. However, older women also
face the cumulative effects of gender discrimination throughout their lives, including less
access to education and health services, lower earning capacity and limited access to rights to
land ownership, contributing to their vulnerability in older age. A combination of age and sex
discrimination also puts older women at increased risk of violence and abuse. Despite
significant progress in the development of international legal norms, standards and policies,
data on elder abuse of women are very limited. In general, a lack of key indicators and data
disaggregated by age and sex is a barrier to improving programmes and designing laws and
policies that respond effectively to the different situations of older women and men. Older
women are more likely to be widowed than older men and less likely to remarry.

Currently, in many countries, older women have lower levels of education than older men
because as girls they were denied the opportunity to go to school or dropped out before
completing their education. In developing countries, an average of 58 per cent of women
aged 65 or over are illiterate, compared with 34 per cent of men in the same age group.16
Lower educational levels, particularly in older women, seriously limit the ability of older

8
persons to obtain information, access services or take part in social, economic or political
activities.

For example, one study in Latin America and the Caribbean found that low literacy was
associated with low levels of participation in cancer screening. Given the fact that the level of
education of the current generation is higher than the previous ones, future generations of
older persons are expected to be increasingly better educated, a very positive trend that will
counterbalance the challenges created by a rapid increase in the aged populations. However,
most developing countries, today and in the near future, will have to deal with a high
proportion of illiterate older persons, particularly women. Improving literacy in the current
generation of older women is an essential policy component, not only for their own well-
being but also to enable them to better support the education of younger generations.

The loss of a spouse can also make women more vulnerable. Older women are more likely to
be widowed than older men and are less likely to remarry than men who are widowed. As the
status of women in many societies is linked to the status of their husbands, widows and
unmarried older women can become particularly vulnerable to poverty and social exclusion.
While the emphasis in incorporating gender concerns into policies and programmes related to
ageing is typically on the vulnerabilities of older women, a more balanced perspective that
recognizes gender as a potential marker of vulnerability for various aspects of well-being is
needed to address both male and female disadvantages.

The challenges of the ageing population

The ageing population has significant social and economic implications at the individual,
family, and societal levels. It also has important consequences and opportunities for a
country’s development. Although the percentage of older persons is currently much higher in
developed countries, the pace of population ageing is much more rapid in developing
countries and their transition from a young to an old age structure will occur over a shorter
period. Not only do developing countries have less time to adjust to a growing population of
older persons, they are at much lower levels of economic development and will experience
greater challenges in meeting the needs of the increasing numbers of older people.

Financial security is one of the major concerns as people age. It is an issue for both older
persons and a growing challenge for families and societies. Ageing population is raising
concerns about the ability of countries to provide adequate social protection and social

9
security for the growing numbers of older persons. In many countries, the expectation is that
the family will take care of its economically dependent older members. While some families
support their older relatives, others are not in a financial position to do so in a way that does
not affect their own economic situation. Older persons who do not have family to support
them are especially vulnerable. Informal support systems for older persons are increasingly
coming under stress, as a consequence, among others, of lower fertility, out-migration of the
young, and women working outside the home. There is an increasing consensus that countries
must develop social protection systems that cover at least the basic needs of all older persons.
Ensuring a secure income in old age is seen as a major challenge for governments facing
fiscal problems and competing priorities.

Some countries are increasingly worried whether they will be able to pay for pensions and
whether they will ultimately be able to prevent a rise of poverty in old age, particularly in
countries where the majority of older persons are employed in the informal sector.

While many developed countries and some emerging economies are challenged with an
ageing workforce and ensuring the sustainability of pension systems, most developing
countries have to establish their systems now when the challenge is less acute and when the
fiscal space available for social policies is increasing as a consequence of the “demographic
dividend”.

2.2 The roles of NGOs in improving the livelihood of Older Persons

The Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing aims for people everywhere to be able to
age with security and dignity. Many developing countries are challenged by a double cost
burden: the costs related to infectious diseases may still be high while population ageing and
the rising number of non-communicable diseases are putting additional pressure on resource-
strained health-care systems.

Poor conditions earlier in life place older people at risk of serious health problems and
adversely affect their health and vitality. The understanding that the living environment,
working conditions, nutrition and lifestyle choices in younger years influence our health in
older age should be a key ingredient for policies and programmes with an intergenerational
focus. As populations become aged, it is critical that health systems and the training of health
professionals at all levels are adjusted to meet the requirements of older people, and that
ageing is recognized within diagnostic, curative and rehabilitative care programmes within
the formal health system, especially at primary and community level.

10
Ensuring enabling and supportive environments as people grow older is a significant
challenge, so that older persons can age actively and participate in the political, social,
economic and cultural life of society. This means that living arrangements, including housing
and transportation are age-friendly, to ensure older persons can “age in place” and remain
independent for as long as possible. Older persons, who find themselves in conflict situations,
natural disasters – including those resulting from climate change – and other humanitarian
emergencies, are particularly vulnerable. When younger generations migrate to cities or
abroad, older persons are often left behind without traditional family support. Older people
are often the victims of neglect, violence and abuse because of increasing dependence.

The Second World Assembly for the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing, held in
Madrid, Spain in 2002 produced a bold, rights-based and policy relevant Political Declaration
and Plan of Action on Ageing to manage the challenges of population ageing in the 21st
century. Both were adopted later in the same year by consensus by the General Assembly of
the United Nations. The Political Declaration and Plan of Action address major issues that are
most pertinent to the well-being of older people around the globe and suggest concrete policy
actions in the three priority areas of older persons and development, advancing health and
well-being into old age, and ensuring enabling and supportive environments.

The Madrid Plan was preceded by two international documents on ageing: the Vienna
International Plan of Action on Ageing and the United Nations Principles for Older Persons.
The first international instrument on ageing, the Vienna Plan, was adopted by the first World
Assembly on Ageing in 1982, convened in recognition of “the need to call worldwide
attention to the serious problems besetting a growing portion of the populations of the
world”. The focus of the Vienna Plan was on developed countries where the implications of
population ageing were already recognized and well established.

In 1991, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the United Nations Principles for
Older Persons and encouraged governments to incorporate them into their national
programmes whenever possible. The 18 United Nations Principles, which seek to ensure that
priority attention will be given to the situation of older persons, address the following five
areas: independence, participation, care, self-fulfilment and dignity of older persons. These
two documents were reaffirmed at the Second World Assembly on Ageing at which
governments also recognized that population ageing is increasingly an issue in developing
countries.

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By adopting the Madrid Plan, governments agreed for the first time on the need to link ageing
with human rights. This happened at a time when the human rights approach to development
was gaining increasing importance on the international stage as, for example, during the
International Conference on Population and Development held in Cairo in 1994 and the
Fourth World Conference on Women held in Beijing in 1995.

The Political Declaration affirms the commitment to the promotion and protection of all
human rights and fundamental freedoms, including the right to development. There is a shift
away from viewing older persons as welfare beneficiaries to active participants in the
development process, whose rights must be respected, protected and guaranteed. The Madrid
Plan includes a specific recommendation to include older persons to be “full participants in
the development process and also share in its benefits”. The Plan covers 18 areas of concern
to older people and makes 239 recommendations for action. Its overall objective is to enable
a “society for all ages” with a broad aim “to ensure that people everywhere are able to age
with security and dignity and to continue to participate in their societies as citizens with full
rights”.

The bottom-up review and appraisal promotes the inclusion of views from groups that may
have been previously excluded from traditional sources of information. It has several key
components: awareness raising and advocacy; assessment of needs and setting of targets;
gathering of information; distillation of local findings into policy-relevant formats; and
adjustment of policies and programmes in accordance with the conclusions and
recommendations of the review and appraisal. A minimum set of indicators that all countries
could use in their reporting of progress for future review and appraisal cycles of the Madrid
Plan was agreed during an expert meeting convened by the United Nations Population Fund,
in cooperation with the United Nations Programme on Ageing and the World Health
Organization, and with the participation of the International Labour Organization (ILO), the
United Nations Population Division, the Regional Commissions and regional experts

Vital roles of older persons in a society

A society for all ages encompasses the goal of providing older persons with the opportunity
to continue contributing to society.” (Madrid Plan, para. 19). The Madrid Plan points out that
older persons across the world make a vast contribution to society. It explicitly calls for the
recognition of their contribution and for the inclusion of older persons in decision-making
processes at all levels. Older persons contribute both financially and in many ways that are

12
not measured in economic terms – as mediators, educators, workers, volunteers, homemakers
and caregivers, as sources of knowledge and historical memory, and as guardians of culture.
Increasingly, older generations are becoming active in political processes, forming their own
organizations and campaigning for change. Older persons in rural areas often have expert
knowledge of farming practices, including ways of coping with environmental shocks and
food shortages, which may be crucial for the survival of rural communities in times of crisis.

Social and cultural contributions (Caregiving and volunteering)

It is in the area of childcare that older people, especially older women, make a particularly
vital contribution. Families all over the world rely on grandparents to care for children so that
parents can work, or to take on sole care of children whose parents have died. Older men and
women involved in consultations for this report felt that caregiving was one of their main
contributions. For example, a study of Bolivian migrants who moved to Spain found that 69
per cent left their children at home, usually with grandparents. In rural China, grandparents
care for 38 per cent of children aged fewer than five whose parents have gone to work in
cities. In one town in Colombia, around a third of internally displaced older persons are
responsible for caring for grandchildren (UNICEF, 2012).

Economic contributions (Giving more than receiving)

In economic terms, contrary to popular belief, substantial numbers of older people contribute
to their families by supporting younger generations financially and to local and national
economies by paying taxes. The National Transfer Accounts project aims to measure at the
aggregate level the reallocations of economic resources from one age group to another. The
results of the National Transfer Accounts project show that net familial transfers are often
negative as older people give more to younger family members than they receive. In Brazil,
Mexico, the United States, and Uruguay, for example, the amount that older persons give is
substantially higher than what they receive. In high-income countries and much of Latin
America, net public transfers to the older population are strongly positive, but another study
based on an analysis of the National Transfer Accounts in India shows that net public
transfers to older persons are strongly negative and the taxes paid by the older population
substantially exceed the benefits they receive. In Thailand and the Philippines, older persons
are also contributing more through taxes than they receive in the form of benefits from the
state (UNICEF, 2014).

13
Political contributions (Voting and decision-making)

Population ageing means that in societies with democratic electoral systems, older
generations constitute an increasing proportion of voters. This is the case even in developing
countries with still “young” populations, because a relatively high proportion of the young
population is not old enough to vote. For example, in Egypt, in 2010, people aged 60 and
over made up 8 per cent of the total population but accounted for 13.6 per cent of the
electorate. In some of the world’s “oldest” countries, the proportion of older voters is
increasing dramatically. In Japan, for example, 34 per cent of the total population will be
aged 60 in 2020, making up more than 40 per cent of the electorate.20 According to the
United States Census Bureau, over 70 per cent of eligible voters between the ages of 65 and
74 voted in the 2008 elections. By comparison, just over 50 per cent of Americans aged 25 to
45 voted.

Government responses

Civic and cultural programmes help to combat social isolation and support empowerment. In
the People’s Republic of China, older persons are active through the Chinese Older Persons’
Chorus Festival and national associations of senior citizens. In 2009, China also organized
the First National Sports Meeting for the Elderly, and in 2008, three ministries sponsored
Olympic Games for older persons. In Hungary, since 2006 the Award for the Elderly has
honoured older persons for exceptional achievements. Other examples include the South
Africa Older People’s Forum in 2009/10 and the Golden Games Programme organized in
2006 by the South African Government.

Many of these activities support the participation of older persons in various ways, short-term
as well as long-term. Often they contribute to older persons’ wellbeing and health, for
example, by encouraging them to be physically active and also by facilitating social
interaction at various events. The annual International Day of Older Persons is celebrated by
many countries and embraces older persons’ participation and visibility. In addition to these
one-off or annual programmes, some governments provide for the establishment of senior
citizens’ centres or clubs. Japan, for example, provides government subsidies for senior
citizens’ clubs. Some countries organize national meetings of such groups, mostly in
collaboration with civil society organizations.

14
Age Demands Action campaign Since 2007, older persons around the world have been taking
part in the Age Demands Action campaign, coordinated by HelpAge International, to call for
changes from their governments to end discrimination in older age. Demands focus on the
right to a secure income, the right to health, the right to be protected from neglect or violence,
the right to access work and decent working conditions and the right to a livelihood. In 2011,
more than 60,000 older people in 59 countries took part in Age Demands Action. In many
cases, campaigners are supported by civil society organizations. More than 150 organizations
were involved in 2011, of which 52 were part of the HelpAge International network.

According to Health Poverty Action (2012), “The campaign contributed to tangible

improvements, ranging from discounted fares on major train and bus routes in Pakistan, to a
new senior citizens’ allowance for people over 80 in Sri Lanka and an increased cash transfer
with expanded coverage benefiting more older Kenyans. Other success stories include a new
national ageing policy in Fiji, health insurance identity cards for older people living in
internally displaced persons’ camps in Darfur, Sudan, and a new social pension in the
Philippines.

Social transfers “Sustainability in the provision of adequate income security is of great

importance.” (Madrid Plan, para. 50)

Social security benefits, all of them comprising social transfers either in kind or in cash, are
the main policy instruments to prevent and eradicate poverty, to reduce income disparities to
acceptable levels, and to enhance human capital and productivity. Social security which is a
fundamental human right as defined by the ILO has two major dimensions: income security
and availability of medical health care. The term “social protection” is often used
interchangeably with social security. Both cover all measures providing benefits to secure
protection from a lack of work-related income – caused, for example, by age, lack of access
or affordable access to health care or insufficient family support – and from general poverty
and social exclusion.

Social protection has gained prominence in development debates compared with a decade ago
when it remained relatively marginal. This has been driven in part by the positive experiences
of countries that have extended social protection, showing it to be both effective and
affordable. Meanwhile, current trends of persistent inequality and exclusion, heightened
economic and political volatility, together with increased environmental risk and degradation,
have increased the economic, social and political relevance of social protection. Increasingly,

15
social protection is seen as key to achieving equity by redistribution in the context of these
global trends. Particularly significant has been the increasing endorsement of a “social
protection floor”. The concept of a social protection floor was developed by the ILO as a set
of social policies that guarantee income security and access to basic services across the life
course.

Globally, however, only one third of countries (covering 28 per cent of the global population)
have comprehensive social protection schemes covering all branches of social security.52
Further, most of these schemes only cover those in formal employment as wage or salary
workers, who constitute less than half of the economically active population worldwide.53
The ILO thus estimates that only about 20 per cent of the global working-age population has
effective access to comprehensive social protection, including pensions.

Extending pension coverage through non-contributory schemes

Despite continuing low coverage of social security, some notable progress has been made in
the last decade in extending pension coverage, especially in developing countries. In
particular, a number of countries have put in place social (non-contributory) pensions, often
in recognition of persistent low coverage of their pension systems and pervasive poverty in
old age.

Social pensions make a big difference to the well-being of older people, particularly the
poorest, even where benefits are relatively modest. A universal pension in the Yucatan,
Mexico, with a value equal to only 5 per cent of average income was found to increase visits
to the doctor by 22 per cent. But the benefits extend much further than to older people alone.
UNICEF’s recent Social Protection Strategic Framework highlights the importance of the
social and familial relationships across different age groups and shows how needs are met
today by sharing and pooling resources across these age groups. In the case of children, the
critical roles played by caregivers, including women and older people, in different contexts in
children’s well-being, are part of investing in their future adult productivity and well-being in
older age. This means that pensions can constitute a form of child-sensitive social protection
that breaks the intergenerational cycle of poverty.

South Africa’s Old Age Pension covers around 2.4 million people, 80 per cent of the older
population.79 Programme results have shown that a pension received by an older woman

16
improved nutritional outcomes for girls living in the same household.80 In Lesotho, where at
least 60 per cent of the households receiving the pension include children orphaned by HIV
and AIDS, preliminary studies show that children in pension-receiving households are
perceived by respondents as being better fed and having higher school attendance levels.

In Uganda, HelpAge International northern Uganda programme with its partners has been
raising the voices of older persons through organizing dialogue meeting with local, political
and government leaders, training older persons on lobbying and networking for social
services, rights and entitlements, training of doctors and health workers to promote friendly
health services, supporting older persons with Income Generating Activities(IGAs) through
Older Persons Associations(OPAs) and Older Citizen Monitoring Groups(OCMGs).
Financing and organizing International Older Persons Day which is on the 1 st of October
every year, Age Demand Action Campaign, sponsoring health camps for older persons in
northern Uganda, Western Uganda and Central Uganda respectively.

Older persons who took part in HelpAge programme agreed that opportunities for
participating in family, community and social activities had increased for them. In particular,
they pointed out that older people’s associations were an important mechanism for
participating in society. Leaders of older people’s associations regularly consulted members,
creating a channel of communication between older persons and government. Governments
were increasingly consulting older people’s associations on issues affecting older age groups,
they said. The participants acknowledged the importance of voting in elections and,
especially in those countries where older persons constitute an increasing proportion of the
electorate, they were aware of their increasing political power.

Older People’s Associations (OPAs) are innovative community-based organisations of older

people, aimed at improving the living conditions for older people and for developing their
communities. OPAs utilise the unique resources and skills older people have, to provide
effective social support, to facilitate activities and deliver services. The success of the OPAs
can be attributed to: Their members, older people, are widely respected and have a wealth of
community knowledge and experience. Older people tend to remain in their communities,
providing continuity to the OPA and its activities, thus contributing to the sustainability of
the organisation. The wider community members have a vested interest in the success of
the OPA – the OPA benefits the community as a whole and people see themselves as future
members of the associations.

17
 “Older people can work and produce and contribute to their families. Sometimes

all they need is a little support to be able to work” says Sultan Singh, OPA

leader, Rajasthan, India

How do Older Persons Associations enhance local development?

OPAs work closely with local authorities and with a wide range of community members,
enabling them to make a positive contribution in the following areas:

Building livelihood security

Older people tend to be affected by poverty more than other age groups. Despite their own
poverty and vulnerability, older people play an important role in alleviating family and
community poverty. OPAs have helped older people to access micro-credit, livelihood grant
schemes, and job training leading to income generating activities, thus helping them earn
enough money to support themselves and their families.

Improving healthcare

“Ageing is a development issue. Healthy older persons are a resource for their families, their
communities and the economy’. According to Brasilia Declaration on Healthy Ageing, World
Health Organization (1996), Lack of access to basic medical care is a fundamental problem
faced by many older people. As people become older there is a need for good nutrition,
exercise and mental stimulation to delay the onset and lessen the impact of chronic diseases.

OPAs throughout the region have been instrumental in: organising medical check-ups,
promoting healthy living strategies and providing health education for older people linking
with local health centres to take better care of older people such as conducting home visits,
shortening waiting time in clinics providing training on home and community care to take
care of lonely older people and those with mobility issues; reducing isolation and loneliness
providing education to local residents on HIV and AIDS, on how to protect themselves and
how to care for their sick children

“I believe the health habits of older people have changed as a result of this

project, with a reduction in smoking and drinking. This has been possible

through the health assessments and education sessions; and, another big change

18
 is that older people are less timid about consulting the village health practitioners

and doctors.” (Zhang Yu, Director of the Health Bureau, Baoxing County,

Sichuan Province, China)

Increased knowledge and confidence amongst members encourage older people to mentor
others and transfer knowledge and skills that can assist younger people in such areas as
agriculture, health, and water and sanitation. This in turn, raises the positive profile of older
people within communities and strengthens intergenerational bonds.

“I haven’t missed a meeting since this club was established two years ago.

We keep coming back not only because of the clubs vocational training

lessons, but also the joyful atmosphere. Together, we escape from the sad

stories of real life to engage in doing new things. It’s like kindergarten

for us”.(Nguyen Thi Mua, 64, Member of Tinh Tuy OPA, Vietnam)

Participation of older women in India Older women find in the OPAs a channel to participate
in an unhibited manner. In the region of Rajasthan, India, there is a history of child marriage,
purdah, feudalism and female infanticide, resulting in oppressive social conditions for
women. Women continue to live in some of the most oppressive social conditions in rural
India, indeed rural Asia.

Older Citizens Monitoring Group (OCMG) – Bangladesh In two areas of Bangladesh OPAs
have been involved in Older Citizen’s Monitoring (OCMG) to monitor the government
delivery of policy commitments and to sensitise implementers and policy makers to influence
and improve the implementation of policy for the well-being of vulnerable older people.

2.3 The strategies in place to reduce the vulnerability level of older persons
Formation of Older Persons associations and groups

In developing countries, too, more older people are forming their own associations with
formal membership. The associations help members to access microcredit, business loans and
job training. They organize health checks, link to local health services and provide training in
community-based home care. They also reduce isolation and create social support
networks.25 In Latin America and the Caribbean, a number of older persons’ movements

19
helped to win the passage of legislation in their favour, including in Guatemala, Honduras,
Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico and Venezuela.

In the past 10 years, more older people’s associations have taken up older citizens’
monitoring to hold their governments to account for the commitments they had made in
adopting the Madrid Plan.26 Groups of older people, with support from an NGO, learn about
their human rights and entitlements, gather evidence of their access to entitlements and
services, and use it to lobby policymakers and service providers for improvements. By 2011,
1,250 older people’s associations were involved in older citizens’ monitoring programmes in
23 countries including Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania. Many link their activities to the global
Age Demands Action campaign to advocate for older people’s rights at local, national,
regional and international levels. In 2011, older people’s groups in 59 countries took part in
this campaign.

Supporting disaster response

Natural and man-made disasters, such as heat-waves, floods, droughts, and earthquakes are
causing increasing human suffering, great loss of life and financial loss each year. OPAs
supported by HelpAge International and partners employ disaster risk reduction (DRR)
activities such as disaster preparation, early warning systems, and relief and rehabilitation.

Older people are respected sources of knowledge in their communities, providing information
on traditional coping mechanisms and/or their experiences of previous disasters, which is
invaluable as part of preparedness planning.

“Before we just waited for death. Now we feel we can do something to help

vulnerable people.” OPA member, Bangladesh Indian Ocean tsunami

– Aceh, Indonesia

An estimated 14,000 people aged over 60 died when the tsunami hit Sri Lanka, India,
Thailand and Indonesia in 2004. 93,000 older people were displaced. Many older people lost
their relatives, homes and possessions. Others have become the main carers of grandchildren
orphaned by the disaster. HelpAge International and its partners provided food, drinking
water, shelter and medicines helping over 20,000 older people. OPAs were instrumental in
rehabilitation activities such as rebuilding livelihoods. Cash grants were distributed by self-

20
managed OPAs to over 2,000 of the poorest older people in Aceh, enabling them to regain a
steady income to provide for their families basic needs.

Experience shows that targeting older people as direct beneficiaries is a very effective way to
make older people’s needs and capacities more visible, promote intergenerational solidarity
and empower older people. ”Older people in Aceh, Indonesia 18 months after the tsunami,
HelpAge International, 2006 “The older people’s association has been a great help to me and
my family by providing a cash grant to help us establish a livelihood.” Hinhihmina, 84,
received a grant to open a local shop with her daughter in Matara, Sri Lanka

Emergency flood relief response – Rajasthan, India The drought-impacted state of Rajasthan
in India suffered severe floods in the monsoon months of 2006, affecting 5,809 villages in 10
districts of the state. Thousands of people lost their homes and all belongings; 75,000 animals
lost their lives and 75 per cent of the crops were washed away. In communities with a
Village Older People’s Associations (VOPAs), the VOPAs played an vital role in the relief
response. They took the initiative of organising four community kitchens utilising village
level funds, to provide food support for up to 2,250 people for four days.

Promoting participation in community life

OPAs across the region aim to promote mutual support among older people, reducing their
isolation and vulnerability by creating social support networks that can facilitate community
development activities. The OPA approach utilises the skills and experiences of older people
to enable them to help themselves and their communities through ‘area specific’ activities.

OPAs empower older people, particularly older women, who account for the majority of the
OPA members. Benefits include: mutual support and friendship with other members
improving emotional well-being sharing of burdens, and group resolution of problems that
face families and communities organisation of celebrations and religious ceremonies,
arranged locally, avoiding the need to travel long distances to attend support when members
are sick, experiencing financial hardship or during emergencies

Promoting participatory governance

OPAs across the region, play a vital role in raising awareness of the rights and entitlements of
older people and improving their access to existing services. Linking up with government
service providers enables OPA members to recognise that government departments are

21
resources for them to utilise. This builds confidence amongst older people and articulation in
expressing their specific needs

2.4 Gaps in the literature

The Madrid Plan, like the Millennium Declaration, recommends to “reduce the proportion of
persons living in extreme poverty by one half by 2015”. Nevertheless, the Millennium
Development Goals (MDGs) in their current form do not explicitly respond to the issues of
ageing populations. A review of MDG reports since 2005 undertaken by the United Nations
Development Programme (UNDP), revealed no mention of the situation of older people or
any intervention geared towards them. The Madrid Plan, however, acknowledges that older
persons have an important part to play in the achievement of the MDGs and should benefit
from interventions designed to achieve them.

Although some progress has been achieved in enabling older persons to actively participate in
society and in recognizing their contributions, there are still important challenges. In spite of
the growing recognition of the role of older persons in society, there is still a long way to go.
In many areas, older men and women are still seen as dependants, and as a burden to society.
Social participation is still low and mechanisms to enhance it are still not well developed.

In addition, it must be recognized that social participation is not possible for all older persons.
Increasing disability may minimize the possibilities of being socially active. The challenge
lies in how to ensure at least some level of interaction that avoids isolation and promotes
more communication with peers and families, even in the presence of disabilities.

22
 CHAPTER THREE

METHODOLOGY

3.0 Introduction
The methodology was used to collect and analyze data on the roles of NGOS in improving
the livelihood of the Older Persons in Laroo division, Gulu municipality, Gulu district is
presented in this chapter. This study presented the methodology that was used in the process
of carrying out the study. It further will be presented and discussed the research design,
geographical location of the study, sampling process and sampling size, sources of data,
methods of data collection, data analysis and ethical consideration.

3.1 Research design

According to Broon etal (2003), a research design provides the glue that will hold the
research project together. A design were used to structure the research and to show how all
the major parts of the project which includes the sample or programs and, methods of
assignment that work together try to address the central research question.

The descriptive survey research design was used for the study. The researcher used both
qualitative and quantitative research design. Qualitative research design permits the evaluator
to study selected issues, cases or events in depth and details. Quantitative research design
allows for large scale measurement of ideas, beliefs and attitudes.

3.2. Study Area

The study area was carried out in Laroo division in the parishes of Iriaga, Agwee, Pece prison
and Queens in Gulu Municipality, Gulu district.

3.3 Study population

The following categories of the population was employed in the study; Older Persons, NGOs
actors for social protection for Older Persons, Civil servants and LCs.

3.3.1 Sample size

The sample size consisted of 65 respondents including 40 Older Persons, political leaders and
10 NGOs activists for Older Persons, 05 Civil servants. The researcher used simple sampling
techniques for older persons.

23
Table 2: Showing the categories and number of the sampled population

S/N Categories of respondents No. of respondents Percentage (%)

01 Older Persons 40 66.7%
02 LCs 10 16.7%
03 NGOs Activists (staff) 10 8.3%
05 Civil servants 05 8.3%
Total 65 100%

(Source: primary data 2016)

3.3.2 Sampling techniques

The sampling techniques used by the researcher were; purposive sampling captures some key
informants. Simple random sampling was advantageous in that it is highly representative for
all subjects who participated whereas stratified sampling technique ensured that specific
groups are represented, even proportionally in the sample’s and purposive sampling was
ensure balance of group size when multiple groups were selected.

3.4 Sources of the data

3.4.1 Primary source

This was where the researcher got the first hand information from the field where the
research work was carried out which is also called raw data.

3.4.2 Secondary source

The relevant data about the study where was obtained from sources of data such as text
books, journals, publication, reports and internet.

3.5 Data collection instruments

3.5.1 Questionnaires
According to Neuman (1997), questionnaire is a written document in quantitative research
that sets of question directed at the respondents. And this was used by the interviewers to post
question to respondent and records the answer. The questionnaires were designed to answer
the question identified in the problem of the statement.

24
The advantage of this method as above by Respini (2000) is that the researcher will be able to
collect the data before the analysis and to convert into numerical values which are then
manipulated in order to discover patterns or relationship.

3.5.2 Interview technique

Interview technique is concerned with the situation where the respondent is required to
respond to the researcher after the questions are asked. In-depth Interviews was used to
collect data from key informants. Face to face interviews were conducted after securing
interviews with the key informants to create good report.

3.6 Ethical consideration

The researcher obtained a letter of introduction from the faculty of education and humanities
of Gulu University before going for data collection in the field.

Zhao & Alexander (2002) identified five ethical concerns that are considered when
conducting survey research. These guidelines will be followed by the researcher and will
allow voluntary participation, no harms to respondents, anonymity and confidentiality,
identifying purposes of the study, analysis and reporting. Each guideline was addressed
individually with explanations to help eliminate or control any ethical concerns.

3.7 Data processing, analysis and presentation

Data collected was carefully edited, sorted and coded to eliminate the inconsistencies and
errors that can be made during the data collection. After data processing, it was subjected to
descriptive analysis to create meaning of the collected data from the field and find out the
relationship that support or contradict original or new hypothesis by using Microsoft word,
excel programs. Information will be presented in form of percentages, frequencies and tables.

3.8 Limitations of the study

The research had limited time for the study since she has to attend classwork, coursework.

The research also faced the challenge of bad weather which is characterized by floods, heavy
down power which may affect data collection by the researcher.

Expectations from the respondents to be paid before or after the research session happened.

25
3.9 Delimitation
The researcher had to follow the research budget and do savings of money so that it does not
affect research work.

The researcher must be in position to prioritize activities and research work such that it does
not affect her end of semester performance.

The research questionnaire and interview guide will be set in simple language which is easy
to be understood by the respondents.

26
 CHAPTER FOUR

PRESENTATION OF FINDINGS, DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION

4.0. Introduction
This chapter is to make analysis of the findings that were got on The role of NGOs in
improving the livelihood of the older persons in Laroo Division, Gulu Municipality. The
study was guided by three objectives which include; examining the vulnerability level of
older persons in Laroo Division, assessing the roles of NGOs in improving the livelihoods of
Older Persons and establishing the strategies in place to reducing the vulnerability level of
Older Person in Laroo Division, Gulu Municipality. The findings were analyzed with the use
of tables, diagrams and intensive interpretations for easy and quicker understanding by the
reader as a lot of huge data were condensed as presented below starting with the bio data of
the respondents and the consequent objectives as indicated above.

4.1. Bio-data of the respondents.

The study involved both men and women of different age bracket, marital status, educational
levels, and occupation as presented below:

4.1.1. The gender of the respondents. The study involved both men and women as showed in
table 4.1 below:

Table 4.1: Showing the gender of the respondents.

Gender of respondents Frequency Percentage (%)

Male 44 68%

Female 21 32%

Total 65 100%

Source: Primary data, 2016.

As seen from the Table 4.1 above, majority of the respondents 44(68%) were males and the
least 21 (32%) were females and this was because men were readily available and responsible
for their household decision therefore they took lead in participating and giving these vital
information that were needed in this study.

27
4.1.2: The study involved respondents of different age bracket as presented in figure 4.2
below:

Figure 4.2: Presents the age bracket of the respondents that were involved in the study.

Source: primary data, 2016.

As indicated in the figure 4.1 above, majority 23 (35%) of the respondents were within 61-70
age bracket followed by those in age bracket 41-50 that were 13 (20%) of the respondents,
while 9 (13%) of the respondents belonged to 51-60 age group, 8 (12%) were in the age
bracket of 20-30, 6 (10%) of the respondents were in the age bracket of 31-40 and least of the
respondents 3 (5%) were in age bracket 71-80 and 81 and above respectively. The reasons as
to why age bracket 61-700 and 41-50 years dominated the respondents in the study was
because they were the main category who could give vital information that would revealed
the truth about the older person in the Division.

28
4.1. 3: The education level of the respondents.

The study also involved respondents of various education levels as showed in Table 4.2
below

Table 4.2: Showing the education levels of the respondents.

Education levels of respondents Frequency Percentage (%)

Primary 28 43%

Ordinary level 20 31%

Advanced level 8 12%

Diploma 5 8%

Degree 4 6%

Total 65 100%

Source: Primary data, 2016.

The study as indicated in table 4.2 above found that most of the respondents 28 (43%) had
attained primary education level followed by 20 (31%) who had ordinary level of education
certificate; 8 (12%) had also attained advanced education level, 5 (8%) had attained diploma
education, while least 4 (6%) had attained degree education level. The respondents in a
discussion argued that the high percentages of respondents with primary education level 28
(43%) and ordinary levers’ 20 (31%) were as a result of war that interrupted the studies of
most people in the last 20 years thus few people had access to education at that time.

29
4.1.4: The religious affiliation of respondents.

The researcher investigated to religious affiliation of the respondents to know more about the
religious affiliations of the people in as this would allow the researcher to know the religious
culture of the people in Laroo division and the result is as illustrated in the figure below.

Figure 4.2: Showing the religious affiliations of respondents who participated in the
study.

Source: Primary data, 2016.

The result in figure 4.2 above indicates that most of the respondents 31 (48%) who
participated in this study were Catholics, followed by many respondents 23(35%) who were
Protestants, 7 (11%) of the respondents were found to belong to other religious affiliations
such as Pentecostal Assembly of God (PAG), Seven days Adventists among others, 4 (6%)
were Muslims while no respondent in the study was found to belong to none of the religious
affiliation. This implies that residents of Laroo Division have faith in God though they belong
to different religious affiliation.

30
4.1.5: The occupations of the respondents.

The study lastly involved respondents of different occupations ranging from those who were
peasant farmer, civil servants, business; others which mainly included the retired professional
workers as illustrated in the figure 4.3, below:

Figure 4.3: Presenting the occupations of respondents.

Source: Primary data, 2016.

As illustrated in figure 4.3 above, majority of the respondents 34 (52%) were found o be
peasant farmers, 13 (20%) were engaged in civil service thus civil servants; 10 (16%) were
engaged in various businesses and 8 (12%) of the respondents revealed that they were retired
professional workers such as retired teachers, business men and women, agriculturalists, civil
servants among other occupation. This is a clear indication that the researcher avoided
biasness by involving all categories of people to participate and give their views on the roles
of NGOs in the improvement of the livelihood of the older persons in the division.

31
4.2: The vulnerability level of the older persons in Laroo Division.

The study looked at respondents’ opinions on the vulnerability level of the older persons in
Laroo division. In attempt to find out this the researcher first asked respondents whether they
had been working for government, company or any other organization and the results are as
presented in table 4.3 below

Table 4.3: Showing the respondents’ responses concerning whether they had been working for
government, company or any other organization.

Respondent worked for government, company or any other Frequency Percentage

organization

Yes 25 38%

No 40 62%

Total 65 100%

Source: Primary data, 2016.

As seen from above table, the study found out the majority of the respondents 40 (62%) had
not worked with either government, company or other organization while 25 (38%) had
worked with the above organizations. This indicates that a majority of the older persons in
Laroo division had not been working with government, company or any organization.

32
The study asked respondents whether they had been receiving pension, gratuity or NSSF or
any social protection services and the responses are as presented below.

Table 4.4: Showing respondents’ responses concerning receiving pension, gratuity or

NSSF or any social protection services.

Respondents’ responses concerning receiving pension, Frequency Percentage

gratuity or NSSF or any social protection services.

Yes 20 31%

No 45 69%

Total 65 100%

Source: Primary data, 2016.

As noted from table 4.4 above majority of the respondents 45 (69%) revealed that they had
never received any social protection service like pension, gratuity or NSSF benefit while least
20 (31%) agreed that they had been benefiting from the pension, gratuity and NSSF as their
retirement benefits.

33
The respondents were asked to reveal how the social protection services thus pension,
gratuity and NSSF have been helping them and the responses of the respondents are as
presented in the figure below.

Figure 4.4: Presenting the respondents’ responses on how the social protection services
thus pension, gratuity and NSSF have been helping them.

Source: Primary data, 2016.

As presented in the figure above, the study reveal that most of the older person 23 (35%)
argued that their pension, gratuity and NSSF benefit helped to improve on their household
income level which they claimed to have empowered them to take care of their families after
their retirement from their various work.

The study also reveals 14 (22%) of the respondents pointed out their pension, gratuity, NSSF
benefit helped them to improve on their and their family health condition and life expectancy
as the benefit enabled them to access health services more easily thus they were able to
prevent the many complications and diseases associated with older ages.

34
Many respondents 10 (15%) also revealed that the social protection service helped them to
improve on their ability to access basic needs like food, medication, among other for their
children, grandchildren thus improving the living standards of their household as they could
afford to offer balance diet to their family member even at their old ages; 5 (8%) of the
respondents pointed out that they were also able to educate their children and grandchildren
thus this has promoted human resource development.

Furthermore, some respondents 4 (6%) argued that the benefit helped them to improve on
their farming activities and capacity as this helped them to purchase agricultural input such as
seeds, oxen, and also carry out some of the farm activities like weeding, planting, harvesting
among other because they were able to hire young energetic men and women to farm for
them while least respondents 2 (3%) argued that the benefit from the social protection
services helped to build house for themselves. This therefore, implies that social protection
services has helped to improve on the lives of the older persons in different ways like
increasing the purchasing power, income level among others which has helped to increases
older persons’ life expectancy.

The study also looked at respondents’ views on the community perception of the older
persons in the division and the findings are as illustrated in the 4.5 below.

Table 4.5: Showing the respondents’ responses on the community perception of the older persons
in the division.

The respondents’ responses on the community perception of Frequency Percentage

the older persons

Positive 40 62%

Negative 25 38%

Total 65 100%

Source: Primary data, 2016.

As indicated in the above table, the study revealed to us that majority of the respondents 40
(62%) pointed at that the community perception on the older persons in Laroo division was
positive. They argued that this has been because of the older persons’ good relationship with
the community people, high leadership skills, voluntary guidance and counseling services

35
they normally offer to the community on important issues such as violence, peace and unity
among other that concern the community thus living by example which has promoted upright
and moral growth of some children in the division.

While least 25 (38%) of the respondents pointed out that the community perception of the
older persons was negative which has been because of their high consumption of alcohol and
cigarette, abusiveness, over dependence on community members, segregation, tribalism
among others which has promoted disunity in the division through land wrangles among
others.

The respondents were also asked of the vulnerability level of the older persons in Laroo
division and the result is as presented in the table below.

Table 4.6: Showing the respondents’ responses concerning the vulnerability level of
older people in Laroo Division.

The vulnerability level of older people in Laroo Division. Frequency Percentage

High 35 54%

Very high 20 31%

Low 10 15%

Total 65 100%

Source: Primary data, 2016.

The table above reveals to us that majority of the respondents 35 (54%) and 20 (31%)
indicated that the vulnerability level of older persons in the division was high and very high
respective. They argued this was true as characterized by the poor health condition of these
older people in the division, famine in the households, and high school dropout number of
children from their households among others since they have failed to provide enough fund to
facilitate the above mentioned responsibilities.

While least respondents 10 (115%) argued that the vulnerability level of older person in the
area was low because most of the older persons were still able to provide and take up their

36
various household responsibilities like paying school fees for their children and grandchildren
among other human basic needs.

The respondents were then asked of the factoring leading to the high vulnerability of the
older persons in Laroo Division, the results are as presented in the figure 4.5 below.

Figure 4.5: Presenting the factoring leading to the high vulnerability of the older
persons in Laroo Division.

Source: Primary data, 2016.

As indicated in the figure 4.5 above, the study revealed that most of the respondents 26 (40%)
that poverty was the greatest factor causing the high vulnerability of the older persons in the
area because this has limited older person ability to access better basic need services such as
food, medication among others which has made them weak and unable to take on their
various household responsibilities as some ends up suffering from chronic diseases such as
body paralysis, among others that are associated with old ages, while many respondents 21
(32%) argued that high incidence of diseases like malaria, high blood pressure, body
paralysis, to mention the few was the main factor leading to the high vulnerability of the
older person in the division.

The study revealed some respondents 9 (13%) pointed out that high consumption of alcohol
and cigarette by the older persons in the division as the factor leading to high vulnerability of

37
the older persons in the division. This claimed that this has caused older persons different
health complications such as lung cancer and other lung diseases, heart diseases among other
which weaker their body cells hence making them very vulnerable.

Some respondents also revealed that unfavorable has made the older persons in the society
more vulnerable as this has led to poor agriculture productivity thus lost in the food items
hence famine and poverty in the older persons’ households which further turn to weakening
of older peoples’ boding cells due to insufficient food intake while 3 (5%) of the respondents
argued that the selfishness of the care givers of the older persons was one of the factor of the
high vulnerability level of the older persons in the area as this caused starvation to death of
some weak older person.

Lastly, the study revealed that 1 (2%) of the respondents pointed out that over dependence
and discrimination in service delivery respectively has been the main factors behind the high
vulnerability level of older persons in Laroo division as these has limited older person ability
to access the basic services like health services, among others hence becoming weak and
unable to survive for long.

38
4.3: The roles of NGOs in the improvement of the livelihood of older persons

The study looked at respondents’ views concerning roles of NGOs in improving the
livelihood of the older persons in the division and in effort to know this the researcher seeked
respondents’ responses on whether they had accessed any service/good from any organization
in the last five years as illustrated in the table 4.7 below.

Table 4.7: Showing respondents’ responses on whether they had accessed any
service/good from any organization in the last five years.

Respondents’ responses on whether they had accessed any Frequency Percentage

service/good from any organization in the last five years.

Yes 30 46%

No 35 54%

Total 65 100%

Source: Primary data, 2016.

As indicated in the table 4.7 above, majority of the respondents 35 (54%) revealed that they
had no benefited from any organization while many respondents 30 (46%) pointed out that
they had at least benefited from some organizations through various projects such as water
drilling project by Child fund international which has made them gained access to safe
drinking water, monetary benefit for instance Brac has been giving the older persons group
loans which they argued has been empowering them to take up their family responsibilities
such as paying school fees, providing basic needs like food, medication among other thus
improving the living standards of their family. Other respondents pointed out that they
received household utensils like saucepans, iron sheets, animals like goats and service like
guidance and counseling which has made them socially strong.

Furthermore, the Local councilor three of Laroo division during the interview pointed out that
from the government , the older people in the area though not all have been getting 26,000
Uganda shillings monthly under the older person scheme/ grant while in 2014 under the
NAADs project some older persons also were given goats, hoes among other items. This
therefore means organizations in the area are committed in ensuring the safety life of the

39
older persons in the area through their various interventions as illustrated in the subsequent
discussion below.

The respondents were then asked of the roles NGOs have been playing in improving the older
person livelihood in the area, the responses are as presented in the figure 4.6 below.

Figure 4.6: Showing the respondents’ responses concerning the roles NGOs and how
these have been helping to improve the older person livelihood in the area.

Source: Primary data, 2016.

As indicated in the above figure 4.6, majority of the respondents 28 (43%) pointed out that
NGOs has been providing older persons with basic necessities such as food, health service for
instance OTP has been taking older person who had injuries as a result of war in Northern
Uganda to various medical hospital to access medical service which they argued has helped

40
the victim to improve on their health status and prolonged their life thus life expectancy since
they have regained their social status and hope to live a positive life like other people.

The study also revealed that 13 (20%) of the respondents argued that NGOs have organized
them in to co-operative groups of older persons which they claimed has helped them to get
financial assistance inform of loans for instance Brac, SAGE among others have been
providing them monetary assistance which has enabled them to access for them and their
families many important needs of good life like food, health, education of their children and
grand children to mention by the few which have improved on the living standard of the older
persons in the area. The respondents further argued that the cooperative groups have also led
to social reintegration of older person in the society thus peace and unity among people in the
society.

Furthermore 9 (14%) of the respondents pointed out the NGOs have been sensitizing the local
people on the importance of having older person amidst the society and on other development
issues that older person could set up when they are still alive and these is argued to have
changed people’s attitude and perception on the older people in the area, reduced on the
tribalism tendency that were developed by some members of the community on older
persons, among others thus promoted peace, unity, respect by young generation on the older
person in the area and togetherness in the community. They argued that this has also helped
in the conservation and continuative of their culture as older person have been in position to
show the young generation the true cultural activities and behaviours through stories and acts
for instance dance which has been an instrument for development of the culture.

Others 5 (8%) of the respondents pointed out that the NGOs provision of better and improved
seeds and animals breed to the older person have helped them to increase on their family
income thus accessing all their basic needs hence improvement in the living standards while 4
(6%) argued that NGOs for instance Child Fund International has drilled safe and clean
drinking water for the community which has helped prevent many diseases that would have
attacked and killed all the older persons in the area.

Lastly 3 (5%) of the respondents of the respondents pointed out that NGOs have been
counseling and guiding the older persons in the area and have also imparting life skills in
them through training which they argued have helped reduced the dependency tendency of
the older person on the community that had cropped in the area as they could use the life
skills to earn a living.

41
4.4: The strategies for addressing the vulnerability level of the older person in the area.

The respondents were also asked of the possible ways of addressing the high vulnerability
level of older persons in the area, the results are as in the table 4.8 below.

Table 4.8: Showing the possible ways of addressing the high vulnerability level of older persons in
the Laroo Division.

The possible ways of addressing the high vulnerability level Frequency Percentage
of older persons in the Laroo Division.

Direct basic necessity service delivery to older person in the 30 46%

area like food, shelter, medication among others

Giving enough monetary support to older persons 14 21%

Mobilizing older persons in groups 9 14%

Continuous monitoring and evaluation of older person 5 8%

programmes

Strong sensitization of the community especially the older 3 5%

person on effect of alcoholism

Promoting security 4 6%

Total 65 100%

Source: Primary data, 2016.

As indicated in the table 4.8 above, most the respondents 30 (46%) suggested that providing
direct basic necessities such as food, shelter medication among other to the older persons
would help improve the living standard that they can continue to provide for their family
members as this will curb down the illness associated with old ages thus giving them
opportunity to perform their family responsibilities.

The respondents, 14 (21%) also suggested that providing monetary support to older persons
would help improve the living standard of the older persons as this money would enable them

42
access and open beneficial initiatives that would help them accumulate their income hence
getting empowered to access their family basic needs.

The study revealed the 9 (14%) respondents suggested that mobilizing older persons in
groups would help older persons to access assistance from various organizations for instance
microfinance institution that would provide them with financial support in terms of loans
which can help finance them to conduct various beneficial activities like farming that would
help in reducing their poverty level.

Others respondents 5 (8%) pointed out that continuous monitoring and evaluation of older
person programmes of improving the livelihood as this would help reduce corruption
tendency and inequality tendency that many respondents have complained that has been
common in most of the groups and has brought a lot of disunity among the older persons. 4
(6%) argued that promoting security for the older person would help prolong the lives of the
older persons as this would set them free of the life stress and least 3 (5%) pointed out that
strong sensitization of the local people on the dangers of alcoholism as this is one of major
factor that has height the vulnerability level of most older people in the area so the
sensitization would helped reduce on the effects of alcoholism on older persons thus extend
their life expectancy and strength that they can still to provide for their families.

43
 CHAPTER FIVE

DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

5.0. Introduction.

This chapter presents the summary of the major findings of the study, conclusions and
recommendation in line with the specific objectives which included, examining the
vulnerability level of older persons in Laroo Division, assessing the roles of NGOs in
improving the livelihoods of Older Persons and establishing the strategies in place to
reducing the vulnerability level of Older Person in Laroo Division, Gulu Municipality. The
chapter concludes by giving areas for further studies.

5.1. Discussion

Based on the research topic which was the role of NGOs in improving the livelihood of the
older person in Laroo Division, Gulu Municipality and following the major findings of the
research objectives, the following discussions have been made by the researcher.

On line with the first objective, the study argued that the vulnerability level of older persons
in Laroo division was high as evidenced by majority of the respondents 35 (54%) and 20
(31%) pointing out in the study that the level was high and very high respectively because of
the high poverty, high famine, high disease and illness incidences among older persons in the
area. They identified that this high vulnerability of the older persons have been as a result of
many factors such as poverty, unfavorable climate, high consumption of alcohol and cigarette
by older persons themselves, over dependence, selfishness of the care givers discrimination in
service delivery among others that have impose older persons to famine, low income, thus
unable to provide for themselves all the basic needs.

In line with the second objective, the study revealed that NGOs have been providing
counseling and guiding to older persons in the division, sensitizing local people, safe and
clean drinking water, basic necessities like food, medication as evidence by high percentage
28 (43%) of respondents pointing out that this has been the most important role that NGOs
has played in the area in effort to improvement of the livelihood of older persons among other
which has helped in socially promoting peace, unity and togetherness among people in the
society, increased older persons’ household income level, thereby enabling them to access
various basic needs for themselves and their families.

44
Basing on the third objective, the study revealed that majority of the respondents 30 (46%)
suggested providing direct basic necessity to older persons as the main strategy of addressing
the high vulnerability level of older persons in the division as this would help enhance good
health.

Others suggested that mobilizing older person in to groups would help them acquire financial
support from different organization thus empower them to open beneficial initiatives that
would in turn enable them to make money thus enhancing a better standard of living;
promoting security, providing monetary support, sensitizing the community on dangers of
alcoholism as this would help them improve on their healthy, financial stability, and promote
good attitude of the community towards older persons in the area thus promotion of peace
and unity.

5.2. Conclusions
The study concluded that, the vulnerability level of older persons in Laroo division is high
because of various factors like high poverty, unfavorable climate, high consumption of
alcohol and cigarette by older persons themselves, over dependence, selfishness of the care
givers discrimination in service delivery among others that have subjected older person to
high famine, diseases incidences, high suffering among other poor living conditions.

Basing on the second objective, the study concluded that NGOs have been working hard to
improve on the livelihood of the older persons in the division through many activities and
services such as counselling and guiding to older persons in the division, sensitizing local
people, safe and clean drinking water, basic necessities like food, medication, drilling of safe
and cleaning drinking water, creating cooperative of older persons, among others that have
empowered that few beneficiaries thus improved on their standard of living through health
improvement.

In line with the third objective, the study concluded that mobilizing older person in to groups
would help them acquire financial support from different organization, promoting security,
providing monetary support, sensitizing the community on dangers of alcoholism, providing
direct basic necessity to older persons as the main strategy of addressing the high
vulnerability level of older persons in the division

5.4. Recommendations

45
Based on the findings drawn from the study, the research work presents the following
recommendations;

The study recommends that older persons are important to the enhancement of high societal
socio-economic development therefore citizens and central government should put full
commitments in formulating, implementing and sustaining the various programmes that
would help maintain the good health older person so that they continue to serve their various
society.

The study also recommends that older person should live by example in the society so that
they are also treated well by the community members in return. This would help them to
socially associate with other members of the society thus would be properly taken care of in
bad times.

The study further recommends that government should increases the money given to the
older person as the amount given has been complained not to be enough to cater for the older
persons’ needs in the whole month.

The study also recommends that organizations supporting the older person should deliver
their support directly to the beneficiaries as this would help stop corruption and biasness that
older persons have been complaining about in the society.

5.5. Areas for further Research

The next study should focus on the challenges faced by older person in the community.

The study should focus on investigating the relationship between government older persons’
grant and the empowerment of older persons in the society.

46
 REFERENCE

The National Council for Older Persons BILL, 2009

National Plan of Action for Older Persons 2011/12-2015/16

Ministry of Gender Labour and Social Development(2009); National Policy for older
persons

HelpAge International report on the situation of Older Persons in Northern Uganda.

HelpAge International East Asia/Pacifi c Regional Development Centre 6, Soi 17,

Nimmanhemin Road Suthep, Muang, Chiang Mai 50200 THAILAND

Bangladesh Resource Integration Centre (RIC) Cambodia Village Support Group (VSG),
Khmer Farmers Development (KFD),

China National Committee on Ageing (CNCA), Provincial Committee on Ageing in Sichuan,

Shaanxi, and Hunan India HelpAge India,

Nepal Participatory Action Network (NEPAN) Philippines Coalition of Services of the

Elderly (COSE) Republic of Korea HelpAge Korea Sri Lanka HelpAge Sri Lanka
Thailand

The Foundation for Older Persons’ Development (FOPDEV), Senior

Citizens Council of Thailand (SCCT)

Vietnam Women’s Union (VWU), Vietnam Association for the Elderly

(VAE), Reserach Center for Ageing Support (RECAS)

Health Poverty Action(2012), “Assessing the impact of HelpAge International’s

‘Age Demands Action’ Campaign”, evaluation report prepared for HelpAge International,
March 2012, www.agedemandsaction.org

UNFPA, New York, and HelpAge International, London(2012); Ageing in the Twenty-First
Century: A Celebration and A Challenge

47
TIME FRAME/SCHEDULE

Activities 2015 2016

Oct. Nov. Dec Jan Feb March April May

Topic identification

Approval of the topic

Proposal writing

Data collection

Data analysis

Report writing and

submission

48
BUDGET ESTIMATES

Item Rate Frequency Amount

Typing and editing 80,000=

Printing 100,000=

Scanning 500= 10= 5,000=

Binding 15,000=

Transport Lumpsum 200,000=

Airtime 10,000= 6 60,000=

Refreshment(water and food) for 10,000= 6 60,000=

Research Assistants

Total 520,000

49
 APPENDICES

APPENDIX I: QUESTIONNAIRE FOR OLDER PERSONS

Dear respondents,

I LINDA AKONYO, a third year student of Gulu University pursuing the degree of
Bachelor of Arts Education of Gulu University and a part of requirement is to have a research
study. I am conducting a research on the topic “the role of NGOS in improving the
livelihood of the older persons in Laroo division, Gulu municipality, Gulu district”. You
have been identified as a resourceful person to make the study successful. You are therefore
humbly requested to contribute by responding to the questions. Your information will be
handled with confidentiality and will be used for academic purposes only.

Thank you very much for the time given for the exercise.

1a) Gender:

Male Female

b). Age:

60-65 years 65-70year 70-75 years 80 years and above

c). Educational level:

Primary Ordinary level Advanced level Diploma Degree

d). Religious affiliation:

Catholic Protestant Muslim Others None

e). Occupation:

…………………………………………………………………………………………

Section B: Situation of Older Person

2. Have you been working for the government/company/organization?

Yes No

3. If yes are you receiving your pension/gratuity/NSSF?

50
 Yes No

4. How has the money helped you to improve your life?

…………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………

5 (a) What are the community perceptions of Older Persons in your area?

Positive Negative

(b) In respond to the above perception, what are the influencing factors?

…………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………

7. What are the factors leading to high vulnerability level of Older Persons in your area?

…………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………

Section C: Roles of NGOs in improving the livelihood of Older Persons

8. (a) For the last five years have you accessed any services/goods from any organization?

Yes No

(b) If yes, what services/goods have you received?

…………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………

10. What is NGOs commitment level on Older Person issues in your area?

Not committed

Committed

51
 Very committed

11. What are the roles of NGOs in improving the livelihoods of Older Persons in Laroo
division Gulu municipality, Gulu district?

…………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………….

12. How is the above roles improved on the livelihood of Older Persons in Laroo division
Gulu municipality, Gulu district?

…………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………….
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………

13. What are the possible strategies for addressing the vulnerability level of Older Persons in
Laroo division Gulu municipality, Gulu district?

......................................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................................

Thank you for your cooperation

52
APPENDIX II: QUESTIONNAIRE FOR NGOs
Dear Sir/Madam,

I LINDA AKONYO, a third year student of Gulu University pursuing the degree of
Bachelor of Arts Education of Gulu University and a part of requirement is to have a research
study. I am conducting a research on the topic “the role of NGOS in improving the
livelihood of the older persons in Laroo division, Gulu municipality, Gulu district”. You
have been identified as a resourceful person to make the study successful. You are therefore
humbly requested to contribute by responding to the questions. Your information will be
handled with confidentiality and will be used for academic purposes only.

Thank you very much for the time given for the exercise.

1a) Gender:

Male Female

b). Age:

c). Educational level:

Advanced level Diploma Degree Masters/PhD and others

d). Religious affiliation:

Catholic Protestant Muslim Others None

e). Occupation:

…………………………………………………………………………………………

f). Job Position…………………………………………………………………………

Section B: Situation of Older Person

2. According to you what do you are the living condition of older persons in Laroo divison,
Gulu municipality?

…………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………..

53
3. What is the vulnerability level of Older Persons in Laroo division Gulu municipality, Gulu
district?

High

Very high

Low

4. What are the factors leading to high vulnerability level of Older Persons in your area?

…………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………

5. How is your organization providing social protection services for older person?

…………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………

6. What are the impacts of social protection services for the older person rendered?

…………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………

Section C: Roles of NGOs in improving the livelihood of Older Persons

7. What are the roles of NGOs in improving the livelihoods of Older Persons in Laroo
division Gulu municipality, Gulu district?

…………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………….

8. How is the above roles improved on the livelihood of Older Persons in Laroo division
Gulu municipality, Gulu district?

54
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………….
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………

9. What are the possible strategies for addressing the vulnerability level of Older Persons in
Laroo division Gulu municipality, Gulu district?

......................................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................................

Thank you for your cooperation

55
APPENDIX III: INTERVIEW GUIDE FOR CIVIL SERVANTS
1. According to you what is the vulnerability level of Older Persons in Laroo division
Gulu municipality, Gulu district?
2. What is the comparison of the vulnerability level of Older Persons who are on
retirement package and those who are not?
3. What are the roles has the government done for improving the livelihoods of Older
Persons in Laroo division Gulu municipality, Gulu district?
4. As a civil servant, what policies are in place to address the vulnerability level of Older
Persons in your area?
5. What are the possible strategies for addressing the vulnerability level of Older Persons
in Laroo division Gulu municipality, Gulu district?
6. In general what recommendation can you give to improve the welfare of older person
in Laroo division

56
APPENDIX IV: INTERVIEW GUIDE FOR LC’S

1. According to you what is the vulnerability level of Older Persons in Laroo division
Gulu municipality, Gulu district?
2. How do you compare the vulnerability level of Older Persons who are on retirement
package and those who are not?
3. What are the roles of local government in improving the livelihoods of Older Persons
in Laroo division Gulu municipality, Gulu district?
4. In your area, are Older Persons issues/problems/challenges discussed in the council?
5. What are the possible strategies for addressing the vulnerability level of Older Persons
in Laroo division Gulu municipality, Gulu district?
6. In general what recommendation can you give to improve the welfare of older person
in Laroo division

57