Assessing the Impacts and Challenges of Deployed Community Development Workers: The Case of Bishoftu Community Development Workers Training College Graduates

Introduction

The concern of community development has indeed been characterized by a diversity of approaches, paradigms, and programs over the past several decades [1, 2]. Some of the key trends and actors in this field include: The rise of participatory and bottom-up approaches: Starting in the 1970s, there was a shift away from top-down, expert-driven development models towards more participatory approaches that emphasized the active involvement of local communities in identifying and addressing their own need [3, 4].

The focus on capacity-building and empowerment: Community development initiatives increasingly emphasized the importance of building the capacities and agency of local communities, rather than simply delivering services or resources [5, 6]. The role of Community Development Workers (CDWs): The Community Development Workers program, as discussed by Burkey [5], has been an important strategy for fostering development in many developing countries. CDWs often act as intermediaries between communities and external development actors, facilitating the identification of local needs and the implementation of community-led initiatives.

The evolution of development paradigms: Over time, the predominant development paradigms have shifted from modernization theory, to dependency theory, to more holistic and sustainable models of development, such as the human development approach [7]. These trends and actors have had significant policy and action implications for future development interventions, particularly in terms of: Emphasizing the importance of local participation and ownership in development processes [3, 4], Recognizing the need for capacity-building and empowerment of marginalized communities [5, 6], Valuing the role of intermediaries, such as CDWs, in facilitating community engagement and development [5]. Adopting more holistic and sustainable development approaches that focus on human well-being and environmental considerations [7].

Since the early 1990s, Ethiopia has undergone a significant shift in its development policy approach, moving towards a greater emphasis on macroeconomic growth, employment, and redistribution. This shift is reflected in the implementation of the Macro-Economic Growth, Employment and Redistribution (GEAR) policy framework [8].

The GEAR policy specifically targets economic growth and job creation as key priorities [8, 9]. This has led to a greater emphasis on fiscal discipline and more rigorous cost recovery measures in the provision of social services and economic infrastructure, in an effort to ensure financial sustainability [8, 10].

However, the GEAR strategy has also called for a strengthening of redistributive efforts and improved service delivery [11, 12]. This has included reprioritizing spending to historically disadvantaged communities and focusing welfare spending on assistance to the poor and marginalized social groups [11, 13]. The rationale behind this approach is to strike a balance between promoting macroeconomic growth and ensuring that the benefits of such growth are equitably distributed across the population [8, 12]. This is seen as a critical component of Ethiopia’s overall development strategy, aimed at reducing poverty and improving the living standards of its citizens [9, 14].

The shift towards the GEAR policy framework in Ethiopia has involved a complex interplay between macroeconomic objectives, fiscal discipline, and targeted efforts to address socioeconomic inequalities and improve service delivery to the most vulnerable communities [10, 13].

The success of any development process is intrinsically linked to the social, economic, and political environment within which it operates [15]. In the case of Ethiopia’s Community Development Work (CDW) program, this contextual environment has played a crucial role in shaping its evolution and impact. The CDW program was first introduced in Ethiopia in 1962 during the reign of Emperor Haile Selassie I, with the establishment of short-term training centers and even a diploma-level program at Hawassa [16]. However, the program was later terminated with the advent of the Dergue regime. It was not until the mid-1990s, under the Developmental Social Welfare Policy (DSWP), that the CDW program was relaunched in Bishoftu Town by the Oromia Labor and Social Affairs Bureau [16].

The revived CDW program has been managed by the Oromia Labor and Social Affairs Agency (OLSAA), now the executive Department of Labor and Social Affairs, which is legally mandated to promote the social welfare and development of vulnerable community members [16, 17]. One of the key strengths of the CDW program has been its adoption of participatory approaches, which empower “social facilitators” to listen to the problems and aspirations of communities and build on their existing capacities [18]. This approach aligns with the Ethiopian government’s policy of decentralized service delivery and local government accountability, which offers a favorable environment for the CDW program [16].

However, studies have also identified challenges and gaps in the integration of national and regional social development and welfare programs with the day-to-day work of the CDWs [16]. Additionally, while the training materials and objectives of the DSWP are generally consistent, the overall impact of the graduated CDWs has not been studied in detail [17].

The rationale for conducting an impact analysis of the CDW program is to assess its contributions and challenges in meeting the needs of the right-holders through the implementation of social protection policy (Firdissa, 2003) [17]. This analysis will help identify the factors that nurture or hinder the development of the CDW program, and inform actions to remove or mitigate these constraints [15].

Method of Data Analysis

The quantitative data was analyzed by using simple descriptive and inferential statistics and the qualitative data was analyzed thematically by following the steps of data analysis developed by Cresswell.

Data Presentation and Analysis

This part presents analysis of the collected data. The quantitative part is analyzed by using descriptive and inferential statistics.

Demographic Information of the Respondents

The demographic information of the sample units is summarized using simple cross tabulation method as follows:

The above table indicates that with regard to sex majority (57) of the respondents are females. Whereas, the remaining (39) of the total respondents are males. In terms of age the majority are between 25-34 years old. This implies that many of the community development workers on job are female youths capable of bringing change in their community and have passion to provide humanitarian services for vulnerable groups.

Central and South eastern and western cluster had the highest number of deployed CSWs (40 and 18 respectively) while Northern and Southern cluster has relatively lower number of CSWs. The table also shows that Central and South Eastern and Eastern cluster has also remarkable number of CSWs who have achieved degree level (7 and 3 CSWs respectively). This indicates that majority of the deployed CSWs have achieved Level -IV (60 CSW).

Government organization accommodates the majority of study units (68 CSWs). While 28 CSWs are employed by Non- governmental Organizations. This implies that CSWs are trained by government; they have been employed by non-government organizations.

The Extent to which Cdws are Implementing the Training Provided by BCDTC

This part of the study focused on assessing to what extent the community development workers are implementing the competencies they trained in the college. The collected data was analyzed by using tables, and histogram.

The table shows that the majority of the deployed CSWs 48(50%) ‘Sometimes’ engages in identifying, mobilizing, linking and supporting vulnerable groups. While 30(31.2 %) ‘Often’ take part in the work, and the remaining 18(18.8 %) of them ‘always’ participate in the activity. This implies that most of CDWs are engaging in identifying, mobilizing, linking and supporting vulnerable groups.

In addition the finding of qualitative data also portrayed that CSWs are actively engage in linking the needy groups with the resources and services available in the community. A CSW from Dodota woreda explains their duty as follows: My role also involves acting as a link between the community and professionals within education, health services and the police. I keep community members informed of what support these services provide, while also raising awareness of issues among professionals who serve them.

In support of this finding, team leader and key individuals selected from the community in Chiro town said:

Community Development Workers are the civil servants who facilitate contact between government departments and communities. Communities have access to relevant information pertaining to service delivery and other government programmes. Communities are able to identify and prioritize their needs easily because of their existence.

The above table describes that, from the total respondents, 36 (37.5 %) and 54 (56.3 %) of them coordinate volunteer activities ‘always’ and ‘often’ respectively. The remaining 6 (6.2 %), respondents ‘sometimes’ play the responsibilities of coordinating volunteer activities some. The above figure revealed that, the deployed CDWs/SW at woreda level take coordinating and enhancing volunteer activities in the community as good mechanisms to mobilize available local potentials to provide services for the identified needy groups from the community. The data also shows as a culture of voluntarism are showing progress in the community.

Community service workers are inspiring volunteers in engaging community activities. For instance, they are helping marginalized groups in constructing houses, collecting resources (books, educational materials, cloth, soap etc). We have observed that while volunteers are constructing outdated house of destitute old woman in Itaya town (Arsi Zone) during the survey period (photo showing this is attached under appendices). This implies how community service workers are effectively coordinating the newly proclamation of “free citizen’s service”. In interview with the beneficiary described as follows:

Thanks to these children my home was improved. I have spent long period of time in home that leak. When the rain rains I spent all night without sleeping caring equipments from one place to another. But, now thanks to these children (community service workers) I am sleeping a good sleep. They have renovated my home by organizing local youths and mobilizing resources from the community. God bless them…..God bless them…..

In explaining the source of budget for the construction, the community service workers responded that they have mobilized the necessary resources for the construction of the house from the community. Besides, the labor cost was not paid because construction undertaken by voluntary youths. In support the above argument the data collected from Bishoftu city also portrays that the community service workers are playing a remarkable role in helping the poorest of the poor. One of the respondents from Kudada kebele stated:

We have supported one family having six children on street to get home and educational opportunity for their children by working actively with different government and non –government organization. In collaboration with the kebele and municipality administration, we have facilitated for the family to get 200 meter square of land and one non- government organization has built home for the family.

In approval to this, we have gone to the family to whom home was constructed and when we interview the family, they described their condition before and after the support in the as follows:

We were living in rent house. We cannot afford to pay the rent as living cost is increasing. The house owners told us to left their home. Even though, we have searched to rent a house everyone refuse us. Thus, we are forced to live on the street with our six children. We continued this life for three years. Life on the street was tough especially when rain falls there is no any place to sleep. All of our children were not attending school. But, now thanks to these workers our life is dramatically changed. We are changed from homeless to house owner. Our children are attending school. Our life is improved. They (CSWs) are messengers from God!

Furthermore, one of the community development workers working in Bishoftu city, Calalaqa kebele stated:

We have organized 62 volunteers in the kebele and the basic roles of the volunteers is identification of Vulnerable

groups in the community and determining support they need in collaboration with concerned stakeholders . Each of the volunteer will have 10 families and 20 children under his supervision.

The above table shows that 78(81.3 %) of the respondents engaged ‘often’ in assessing and mapping services in the community. The rest 18 (18.8 %) of the total respondents’ state that they ‘sometimes’ engaged in assessing and mapping services in the community. This indicates that, the majority of CDWs practically participate in assessing and mapping services in the community.

As it is depicted in the above table, 60(62.4%) of the total respondents ‘often’ engaged in awareness creation on GBV and domestic violence in community, while 18 (18.8 %) of them ‘always’ deal with the issues. The rest 18 (18.8) of the total respondents ‘sometimes’ engaged in implementing the activities of awareness creation on GBV and domestic violence. This implies that, CDWs are understood and engaged in awareness creation for the community regarding the effect of Gender Based Violence and ways to reduce it. Besides, the data collected through interview revealed that the CSWs are actively engaging in provision of training and awareness creation for the community on impacts of GBV, ways to reduce GBV,

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Graph 2.1: Distribution of respondents in respect to supporting persons with disabilities. Figure 1=Always, 2= Often, 3= Some times, 4= rarely, 5= Never Supporting person with disabilities is one of the main roles of CSWs. In confirming with this functional statement, the above graph illustrates that, about 59 (58.3%) said that they ‘’often support person with disabilities in their day to day activities. While, 33.3% of the total respondents agreed as CDWs/SWs engaged ‘always’ in supporting person with disabilities. This shows the majority takes the issues of person with disabilities as their core mandate. The rest 7.3 % responded that they ‘sometimes’ engage in serving person with disabilities.

In line with the above finding, CSWs are working in raising awareness of the community towards people with disability and other marginalized groups in the community. One study participant explained that:

I am actively supporting person with disability. Due to my activities the attitude of the community regarding person with disability and elders without care is changed. Besides, the vulnerable groups have changed (CDW interviewee in Qarsa Woreda Jimma Zone; August, 2019).

The above table depicts that 42 (43.8 %) of the respondents ‘often’ provide information for community about sexual and reproduction health. In similar manner 42 (43.8 %) ‘Sometimes ‘provide information on the issue. The rest 12 (12.4 %) of the total respondents said that they rarely provide information for the community on sexual and reproductive health. From this we can infer that, trained and deployed CSWs are contributing their share in raising awareness of the community concerning sexual and reproductive health.

The interview finding also revealed that CSWs actively participate in helping HIV vulnerable groups to be tested and to know their status, focusing on commercial sex workers and their children and linking those who are living with the virus to access different available services.

As stated on the above table, half of the respondents 48(50 %) of them have been ‘always ‘working in reducing youth unemployment. The second majority of respondents 42 (43.8 %) of them play ‘often’ this duty. The remaining 6.2 % responded that they ‘sometimes’ deal with it. The above result portrayed that, issues of reducing youth unemployment also taken as other major activities in their intervention areas to solve the social problems.

The data gathered through interview also confirmed that community development workers are playing the role of supporting youths to utilize their potential and to be productive citizens. One of the participants from Arsi Negele stated that: I support members of the community in a variety of ways. I encourage community members especially youths to access services, particularly education and training, which can aid them in gaining employment, learning new skills and gaining confidence.

Add to this CSWs are providing life skill training to children, youth and to some extent to destitute family in coordination with Oromia Development Association in Bishoftu city and Dukem town

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The above graph indicates that, 31.3 % of the respondents engaged ‘always’ in rehabilitating street people and homelessness. Similar to the above result, (31.3 %) of respondents ‘often’ engaged in activities of rehabilitating street people and homelessness. Those selected ‘sometimes’ also 31.3 % of the total respondents. Only 6.1 % of them responded that they ‘rarely’ engaged in rehabilitating street people and homeless. Thus, we can understand that, rehabilitating street people and homeless is a major focus area of community service workers. This confirms that CSWs are supposed to work in the changing life of vulnerable social group.

The above table revealed that, 48 (50%) of respondents said that they ‘often’ work in providing psycho-social support for vulnerable groups. The response shows that, 24 (25%) of respondents are ‘always’ providing this service for vulnerable groups. The remaining 12 (12.5 %) of the respondents equally participate ‘sometimes’ in the duty. In sum, the result shows that, provision of psycho-social support for vulnerable groups considered as a good way to rehabilitate vulnerable groups and make them start a new way of life.

The interview conducted with key informants also revealed that the CDWs are providing guidance for vulnerable groups including families in crisis and people facing discrimination and stigmatization because of health related problems.

The data in the above table indicates that 12.5 % of the respondents responded they ‘always’ work with community based organizations. While, the majority of respondents (62.5%), ‘often’ work with community based organizations. The remaining 18.8 % and 6.2 % of the respondents said that they ‘sometimes’ and ‘rarely’ implement this activity respectively. In strengthening this finding, CSWs are working in organizing community structures towards living the standards of community. Our finding comes up with the following specific activities:

Coordinating safety net programs: in some woredas (Fantale, Ciro, Dodeta, Gamachis, Arsi Negele) the CSWs are involved in coordination of safety net programs. The basic roles they are playing in relation to safety net are selection of the clients; participate and develop support plan; social service linkage; complain handling; facilitate resource mobilization and preparation of necessary documents.

Organize saving Associations: organizing the needy group in associations and providing technical support is another duty they are playing. According to the interview with key informant in Kudada kebele of Bishoftu city, there are nine groups of saving association having one hundred seventy three members.

Support CCC in documentation, reporting, local resource mobilization, service coordination and the use and Case management: The participants from different areas stated that one of the primary roles of the community service workers is facilitating establishment and functioning of community care coalition in each kebele. Since CCCs are considered as important means to meet the needs of the vulnerable groups and to bring change in the community, the CSWs are mainly focusing on helping the CCCs to be functional.

Preparation of Reports: Preparation of monthly and quarterly reports and submitting it to her/his supervisor, as needed is another role of the CSWs working in their respective woreda. Provide maximum support to economic strengthening groups to become viable economic projects.

Moreover, they also play the role of organizing and facilitating different capacity building trainings for community leaders, Idir, target OVCs and their families, Commercial Sex Workers, Community Committees etc as per the Program plan. The key informants from the community stated that they get important support from the CSWs. One interviewee from Fantale woreda stated: They enable the community by establishing different social structures to scrap the problem of the community by themselves. …They establish idir in our kebele which is not known in the culture and history of the Karrayu tribe.

Concerning supporting people in emergency situation, 24 (25 %) of the respondents said that they ‘always’ engage in this role. In the other case, 42 (43.7 %) of them responded that they ‘often’ work in supporting people in emergency. Those of CDWs/SWs responded ‘sometimes’ and ‘rarely’ to peoples in emergency situations are 16(16.7 %) and 14 (14.6%) respectively. The above result indicated that, supporting people in emergency case is the other concentration areas in which community development workers are dealing with as their fundamental responsibilities. The study shows trained and deployed CSWs are acting accordingly.

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The above table indicates that, half of the respondents; that are 50 % of the respondents said that they ‘always’ deal with issues of working with older peoples. While 31.2 % of the respondents said that they often work in serving older peoples. The remaining 18.8 % of them responded ‘sometimes’ engage in helping older people. The result of the study exposed that, elders are among the vulnerable groups that need attention and CDWs/SWs understand as working with older peoples is the core areas in which community development workers are showing vivid progress.

We can understand from the above table that, the majority 66 (68.8 %) of respondents said that they ‘always’ work in collecting, organizing and documenting basic data on several social issues. This is a majority. The other 30(31.3 %) of them responded as ‘often’ engaged in this activity. All the above result portrayed that, the trained and deployed CSWs at lower woreda structures highly engaging in collecting and organizing all round basic data from lower kebele level. In a similar way the study shows that, they are documenting up to date data on all existing social issues as well as existing resources to facilitate further intervention by all concerned and interested stakeholders.

In support of the above finding, the data gathered through interview and observation also indicated that one of the basic roles the community development workers are playing in their respective woredas is collecting, and organizing basic data. One of the key informants stated that: Before we are employed in this organization there was no organized data of vulnerable groups in the woreda but now there is organized data. So, any one we need to support and empower the vulnerable groups can easily access the necessary information. (Interviewee from Hetosa woreda) In line with these findings, in Bishoftu city we have got a well-organized data of the vulnerable groups. For instance, “in Kudada Kebele of Bishoftu city, they have identified and organized one thousand three hundred and nineteen target children; and seven hundred families.”

The above table indicates the level at which community development workers undertaking simple research and project works. Accordingly, out of total respondents, 18.8 %, 25% and 37.4 % of them responded as implementing research and project works ‘often’, ‘sometimes’ and ‘rarely’ respectively. The last 18.8 % of them responded as ‘never’ implementing this activity. The result shows, as some of the community development workers are engaging in simple research and project works to raise resources available. The result calls for further improvement needed in this area.

Analysis of the Changes Achieved Because of Deployment of Cdws/SW

This part of the study focused on assessing the changes achieved because of deployment of CDWs/SW implementing the competencies they trained in the college. The collected data was analyzed by using tables, and histogram.

The table above revealed that, from the total 36 (37.5 %) ‘Strongly agrees’ as the living situation of vulnerable groups is improved due to community development workers interventions. Majority of respondents; that is 54 (56.3 %) of them responded as ‘agreed’ on the improved living situations of vulnerable groups. Only the remaining 6(6.3 %) of them are ‘neutral’ in their responses. The result of the study revealed that, the intervention by CDWs/SWs brings visible changes on the lives of vulnerable groups.

The statistics on the above table shows that 36 (37.5 %) of community development works/ social workers/ ‘strongly agreed’ as resources in the community are better mobilized to solve the existing social problems. The majority of respondents; that is 60 (62.5 %) of them on the other case responded by choosing ‘agree’ on searching and mobilizing the existing local resources. The above data indicated that, deployed community development workers are implementing the principles of resource and strength based intervention to solve problems in the community rather than depending on external resources.

The figure on the above table illustrates that, due to the activities implemented by community development workers in introducing volunteerism in the community, vulnerable groups are benefited. The improvement on the life of vulnerable groups responded ‘strongly agree’ by 48(50 %) of the respondents. The responses of the remaining 48 (50 %) of the respondents also fall under the category of ‘agree’ as the above table shows. The above result shows, CDWs/ SWs are taking voluntarism as a good strategy to deal with problems of needy groups and they are successful.

The improvement recorded in reducing GBV and Domestic violence is also great as the table above states. From the total respondents, 24(25 %) and 48 (50 %) of the respondents said that they ‘strongly agree’ and ‘agree’ respectively. The remaining 24(25 %) of the respondents prefer ‘neutrality’ on the success in reducing GBV and domestic violence through community awareness creations. The result shows that, community development workers understand domestic and GBV is one of the problems that affect women and children that need community development workers interventions. We can also understand from the above result that, CDWs/ SWs are considering GBV and domestic violence as a source for social problems and they are struggling to reduce it.

As indicated on the above table, community development workers are acknowledging diversity and enhancing inclusiveness in their services to bring the needed impacts. From the total respondents 48 (50%) of them ‘strongly agreed’ as they acknowledged diversity and inclusiveness in service delivery. In similar situations, the left 48(50 %) of the respondents ‘agreed’ on the impact brought in the community by acknowledging diversity and enhancing inclusiveness. The result shows that, CDWs/SWs are respecting the principles of acknowledging diversity and enhancing inclusiveness in all service delivery system.

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The response of community development workers indicates as they bring changes on the life of person with disabilities. From the total respondents, 43.8 % of them ‘strongly agreed’ on the necessary services provided for person with disabilities. The remaining majority of respondents; that is 56.3 % of them ‘agreed’ on the serviced delivered for person with disabilities to improve their life situations. The result portrayed that, CDWs/SWs are successful in implementing the activities that bring change on the lives of person with disabilities.

The above table also shows as there are successes in linking job seekers with the existing job opportunities. From the total respondents, 36(37.5 %) of them said as ‘strongly agreed’ in linking youth with job opportunities. In the other case, 60 (62.5 %) of them said ‘agreed’ in job creation for the youth. This result indicates as there are changes brought in linking job seekers with the available job opportunities after the intervention made by community development workers in collaboration with other concerned stakeholder sectors.

The table shows that, 48 (50 %) of the respondents are e ‘strongly agreed’ as they are supporting street persons and rehabilitated homelessness. The second response is those said ‘neutral’; that is 24(25 %) of them. Those selected ‘agree’ are 12 (12.5) % and the remaining 12 (12.5 %) of them ‘disagreed’ on the impact they bring on street persons and homelessness. This result implies as there is great attention given for this activities to bring change on the life of homeless peoples.

In accessing psycho-social support for vulnerable groups, 36(50 %) and 36(37.5%) of the total respondents said ‘agree’ and ‘strongly agree’ respectively. The remaining 12 (12.5 %) of the respondents responded ‘neutral’ on the psycho- social services provided for these vulnerable groups.

This data implies as there are great changes in accessing vulnerable groups to psycho- Social services to rehabilitate them by deployed community development workers/ social workers.

(37.5 %) of them said rarely undertaking simple research and project works. In opposite way, 18 (18.8 %) of them responded as ‘never’ engaging in such activity.

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Figure 1: 1=strongly agree, 2= Agree, 3= Neutral, 4=Disagree, 5=strongly disagree Graph 3.2: Basic data is better organized and accessed According to the above table, the other area changed due to community development/SW interventions are in organizing basic data and accessing to all stakeholders. Half of the respondents; that are 50 % of them said ‘strongly agreed’ on how far basic data organized and accessed by all interested groups. In similar case 37.5 % of the respondents said as ‘agreed’ on the organization of relevant data. Those selected ‘neutral’ are the remaining 12.5 % of the respondents. This data shows that, the great concern given by community development workers given for organizing all round data on all social issues as well as providing for other bodies need to use it.

Table 24: Older people are organized and accessed necessary services. The above table shows that issues of older people are concern areas for community development workers. From the total respondents, 54 (56.3 %) of them ‘strongly agree’ as older people are organized and accessed to necessary services after CDW/ SW interventions. Those responded ‘agree’ also cover 42 (43.8 %) of the total. This indicates as there are changes in the area of caring for older peoples and community development workers are successful in implementing activities that being changes on the lives of elderly peoples.

This table shows changes in supporting peoples in emergency situations. Among the total respondents, 24 (25 %) responded as ‘strongly agreed’ as the peoples in emergency situations are supported. In the other case, 54 (56.3 %) said as agreed on the extent to which peoples in emergency time supported. The remaining 12 (12.5 %) and 6 (6.3 %) responded ‘neutral’ and ‘disagree’ on the impacts in supporting people during emergency situations by community development workers.

Generally, the study result indicates that, there is a change in the lives of the community resulted from the intervention of CDW/SW in the community. Some of the impact they have brought in the community include:

The mandate of Labor and Social affairs office is known by many stakeholders and government structures where community service workers are working. They are succeeded in facilitating the resource mobilization process by organizing volunteers and working in collaboration with CBOs and FBOs.

Different associations like association of people with disabilities, elders association, HIV associations, saving associations, including community care coalitions are established in many woredas to kebele level. In Addition to this, vulnerable peoples especially people with disability have get access to engage in other livelihood activities rather than begging and staying at home.

community, especially on vulnerable groups. The following are some changes observed because of works performed by the CSWs/CDWs:

CSW have made significant progress with improving awareness with communities but have struggled to influence strategic change. ‘[The] strategic element of the role was lost in the process of delivery. They appeared to be set to deliver a bottom up approach with no clear path for top down delivery which institutions needs in order to effect changes in service delivery.

In summary, even if there are several activities left unimplemented due to several internal and external constraints, the result of the assessment indicate there are successful interventions in reduction of GBV, assessment of different social problems and potentials in the community and collection and documenting basic data.

Analysis of correlations between the interventions and changes brought by the works of CSWs.

CSWs were requested to think specifically about the combination of the theoretical and practical training, and how this was applied in the workplace. The impact analysis concerns what changes have been seen because of the works of CSWs in community. In order to spot what practical changes was seen; we have used correlation.

As it is indicated from the correlation table the consistence between identifying, mobilizing, link and support vulnerable groups and the change in living situation of the group is statistically significant(P= 0.78). This implies that there is strong relationship between the activities performed and the changes brought.

collect, organize and document basic data Basic data is better organized and accessed

This table demonstrates the relation between basic data collection and making it accessible is statistically significant (P=.75). This basic data includes number of PWD, older persons without support, destitute families, and other vulnerable groups. This implies that CSWs are collecting, organizing and documenting data and thus basic data are easily accessible to anybody who wants the data.

The two consecutive tables below(tables 4.3 and 4.4) specify due to the fact that basic data is better organized and accessed; PWD got necessary services (P=0.58) and Older people are organized and accessed necessary services(P=0.85). Whilst basic data collection and making it accessible is crucial, the CSWs’ role is broad and critical, particularly as it relates to ensuring that the ability of communities to access services is enhanced. The correlation tables indicates that CSWs are: Ensuring that poor people are accessing the vital information they need , Providing information about government services, Providing information to the most disadvantaged and vulnerable so that they rapidly access services designed for their benefit,

In the table above the relationship between the two variables is statistically significant (P=0.87). The table indicates that there is relationship between the theoretical or classroom trainings and practical works.

This table indicates there is statistically significant relations between community based organization and CCCs, FBOs, CBOs, CSOs, NGOs, and GOs coordination’s (P=.85). In other words it indicates CSWs have developed skills in identifying and analyzing the issues and problems that confront the communities and mobilize the community based organizations in order to solve the problems of communities. In other words CSWs have developed understanding of the connections between local community structures and problems both at the micro and macro-level and linking them with community based organizations.

This relational table indicates the positive relations between the variables; work in reducing youth unemployment and job seekers are linked to job opportunities (P=0.72).This reminds that the training approach in the college makes them to thoroughly understand the ever changing dynamics within a community, and respond in a manner that takes development forward. It indicates that CSWs have able to harness different approaches in such a way that all parties within a community may have a sense of having a stake in and fully get in into the whole development process. It is, therefore, possible to ensure that the type and training process makes them an all-round worker and an activist who is able to nurture and consolidate all views in a holistic approach.

In general, all scores were significantly positive, and there were no significant variances in terms of understanding and implementing the theory and practice. The assumption is if the trainees were well understand the concepts and processes of community service work in the beginning, they will be effective in their later roles. This is just shown in the analysis tables above that almost all of the deployed CSWs are implementing all the theoretical competences and therefore, they easily simulate what they have trained in the college and the workplace.

Challenges Facing Cdws /Csws

The finding reveals that community development workers face many challenges in undertaking their role. Some of the challenges are discussed as follows:

Conclusion and Recommendation

Many of the community development workers graduated from the college are employed by Non-Governmental organizations in addition to government organizations. From this we can conclude that CSWs can be employed by non-governmental organizations add to that of government responsibilities.The assessment result on extent to which CDWs/SW are implementing the training provided by BCDTC shows better/progressive/ performance. Almost all of the trained and deployed CDW/SWs are implementing the same roles and responsibilities to bring changes in the community. This indicates the relevance of occupational standard and competencies on which the students are trained for their roles and responsibilities they are assigned to implement.

There are great connections, especially on the linkages between the competency trained and their current work related with vulnerable groups (people with disability, children, Women, and elderly), mobilize resource in the community, ways to encourage and facilitate volunteerism, skills to work with others in cooperation, and how to conduct assessments in the community. This revealed the relevance of training delivered (competencies CDW/SW trained) in the college and their role.

There is a remarkable change in the lives of vulnerable groups after intervention of CDW/SW in the community. For instance commitment and readiness to help vulnerable groups through volunteerism; psycho social support; working with community based organization and mobilization and linking of the need groups with the resources was improved; the vulnerable groups have got better access to houses and different material. Awareness of the community regarding sexual and reproductive health, person with disability, commercial sex workers was enhanced. Generally, the correlation analysis revealed there is significant relationship between the roles CSWs are undertaking and the changes observed in the community.

While undertaking their role community development workers are facing many challenges. Some of the challenges are lack of standard, transportation facility, and structures at kebele level; insufficient budget; limited opportunity to improve their level of education; gap between available groups and available support; and weak coordination among stakeholders. This shows interventions are needed to tackle the challenges and to better serve the community or to reach unreached areas.

To overcome the challenges the community development workers are using different coping strategies. Some of the coping strategies are working on awareness creation; using available opportunities, and developing collaborative relationship with different sector. This efforts made by CDW/ SWs indicates it is possible to eradicate any challenges exist in this area through continuous and structured interventions.

Recommendations

Base on the result of the study, the following recommendations are forwarded for different concerned bodies to serve their community with full potentials and to reach the unreached areas: