School Feeding As Income Generating Activity: Assessment of Opportunities and Challenges of In School Feeding Programs in Yeka Sub-City, Addis Ababa
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Date
2022-12
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
This study makes an assessment of the opportunities and challenges caterer mothers employed in school feeding programs (SFP) face while working as caterers in SFPsin YekaSub city, Addis Ababa. The study assessed the practice of the SFPs in terms of the opportunities it offers to the caterer women with regards to job creation and income generation, challenges they face as well as their coping mechanisms as to overcome these challenges. This is a qualitative study in which descriptive research design was employed. The study participants were selected through purposive sampling method. The data was gathered using in depth interviews, key informant interviews, focus group discussions and observation using observation checklist. The study results indicate that SFP has created employment and viable income generating opportunity with significant economic as well as social benefits for the caterers. However, the study also revealed that factors such as inadequate price setting per meal, lack of adequate start- up capital, market price fluctuations and hyper inflation, disruptions of utility provisions such as electric power and water, the seasonal nature of the program which leaves the caterers out of work during winter school closures, as challenges worth mentioning. The coping mechanisms adapted by the caterer mothers to overcome the socio-economic challenges include employing the traditional saving mechanism (Equb) to cope up with financial hurdles, peer support mechanisms for women with younger children, capitalizing on the traditional social gatherings such as coffee ceremony, weddings, funerals, forming informal associations (Mahbers). Based on the findings, this research provides recommendations highlighting what more can be accomplished in terms of creating a favorable working condition and sustainable income to enhance the socio economic status of the caterer women. Devising and facilitating additional Income Generating Opportunities to fill in financial gaps during school closures, relevant capacity development trainings to the women, standard micro financing schemes, pragmatic price setting and budgeting are recommendations worth mentioning in this study
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Keywords
School Feeding Programs, Caterer Women, Income Generating Activities, Economic Empowerment, challenges, opportunities