The Effectiveness of Ropes Youth Development Program: A Study of Two Selected Churches in Nairobi

Abstract

The following study examines the effectiveness of Rites of Passage Experiences (ROPES) youth development program: A study of two selected churches in Nairobi. The ROPES program is a Positive Youth Development (PYD) program that provides a positive process of transition through experiential learning. Geographic mobility and urbanization have tended to erode the stability and interdependence of communities and weaken the natural support systems (relations, friends, schools, churches) on which families traditionally were able to rely (Mussen, Conger, & Kagan, 1980). This breakdown in the fabric of society created the need for the ROPES program. Little research has been done on the effectiveness of the ROPES youth development program on the adolescent’s development. This research used descriptive and exploratory research designs in order to establish the effectiveness of the program. The researcher examined the following areas of the adolescent’s development; development of a Christ centered life, a sense of self-worth and self-identity, an outward focus to and appreciation of one’s community, and the ability to submit to authority. The study sample included 69 adolescents, eight caregivers and four facilitators from two selected churches, that is, Nairobi Baptist Church and Karen Community Church. The researcher collected information from the respondents using questionnaires and in-depth interviews and the information is presented in percentages. The key findings of this study is that the ROPES program plays an important role in the adolescent’s development of a Christ-centered life, a sense of self-worth and self-identity, an outward focus to their community and submission to authority.