Date
12-4-2025
Department
School of Education
Degree
Doctor of Philosophy in Education (PhD)
Chair
Christine Saba
Keywords
Causal agency theory, special education, disability, NGO, informal settlement, Kenya, self-determination, education, international special education, non-governmental organization, Africa, special education policy
Disciplines
Special Education and Teaching
Recommended Citation
Silvas, Amy M., "Exploring the Influence of a Faith-Based NGO on the Causal Agency of Children with Disabilities Living in Informal Settlements Outside Nairobi: A Case Study" (2025). Doctoral Dissertations and Projects. 7764.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/7764
Abstract
The purpose of this case study was to explore the influence of a faith-based non-governmental organization’s (NGO’s) special needs supports on the causal agency of children with disabilities living in an urban settlement outside Nairobi, Kenya. The theory guiding this study was Shogren et al.’s causal agency theory as it looks at the fundamentals of self-determination in interaction with the demands and support available within a specific context. The central research question was: How does interaction with a faith-based NGO’s special education supports influence the ability of children with disabilities and living in an urban informal settlement to be active causal agents in their own lives? This was a case study design. Participants included staff members of the NGO and parents of students who had received special education services from the NGO. The settings were locations where the NGO provided special education supports for students living in a slum outside Nairobi, Kenya. There were three sources of data collection: interviews, field observations, and focus groups. Analysis was based on theoretical propositions and included a multi-step process of coding. Evidence was then triangulated to locate meaningful patterns. Themes that emerged from data analysis indicated the organization used a comprehensive approach, sought transformation through relationships, held conformity as a social value, and experienced remaining challenges. All stakeholders reported the organization had a positive influence on skills related to causal agency. Recommendations included suggestions for government investment, teacher training, and continued research in non-Western contexts.
