The Role of Life Skill Education on the Development of Vulnerable Adolescents: The Case of World Wide Orphans Foundation in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Abstract

Life skill education is considered a vital component for the proper growth and development of adolescents as they transition through their formative period to reach adulthood. It can be provided in schools, youth clubs, sport clubs, religious centers, and any other adolescent congregation by governmental and non-governmental actors. This study explores in particular the life skill trainings provided by one non-governmental organisation, World Wide Orphans (WWO), especially for vulnerable adolescents, with the aim of exploring the role of the trainings in advancing the cognitive, emotional, and social development of the beneficiaries as well as to understand more about the training provision. The research used a matrix of interview, observation, and focus group discussion tools to investigate the research problem. The results indicate that the adolescents have acquired valuable cognitive skills such as problem solving, decision making, and critical and creative thinking through team work exercises; social skills such as communication skills, empathy, and interpersonal relationship skills through interactive forums; and emotional skills such as coping with emotions and stress as well as self- awareness through group counseling interventions. The research also indicated that the beneficiaries of the programme are less outward looking in terms of social interactions in the wider society due to the exclusive focus of the programme on vulnerable adolescents which shelters them from the larger community. Furthermore the research indicated that the programme needs to do more in expanding the reach of the programme and work with government and non-governmental organisations to promote life skill education throughout the country.