Effects Of Poverty On The Growth And Development Of Children In Kenya Service Slums Eldoret.

ABSTRACT

This report titled Effects of Poverty on the Growth and Development of Children is based on

the reality of an impending calamity that ought to be dealt with urgency. Through historical

data it has been realized that poverty is a key factor in the deprivation of child growth to

attain optimum cognitive ability and increases the chance of psychological complications in

future. It dampens the chances of a developing child to attain his capacity compared to his

counter parts that live in a more conducive growing environment. This report is based on the

research undertaken in the Kenya service slum of Eldoret and its close surroundings. This

area characterized by shanties and poor environmental protection as seen by its' poor

drainage system causing water stagnation ultimately awful stenches and pollution.

Through methods of data collection, that is sampling randomly teachers and parents who live

in this surrounding's w·ere interviewed and served with questionnaires. It is the primary

source of raw data in the research. Secondary data was obtained from already published

reports to emphasize on weighty issues of concern such as effects of poverty on physical

development, cognitive development, school performance and Infant Mortality Rate. This

report validates the argument that poverty is a real factor impeding child development using

real primary data obtai.11ed.

Through descriptive means the data obtained during the research is presented in this report.

This report has taken a statistical approach such as bar graphs and pie charts to show

magnitudes and line graphs to show trends. This information represented has also been

discussed at length and critically analysed after which recommendations have been put

forward by the researcher at the end of this report. These recommendations are aimed at reducing the impact of poverty if they are fully implemented.