Social capital of NGO food support providers for the homeless in Kuala Lumpur

The aim of this paper is to provide a descriptive analysis of the role of NonGovernmental Organizations that provide food to the homeless in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Using in-depth interview and participant observation as the method of data gathering, this study focuses on the social capital aspect amongst the NGOs specifically in identifying whether bonding or bridging is represented in social capital. By identifying the presence of Social capital, these two assumptions would be addressed: (1) there are certain days when homeless may receive no food, and (2) there are certain days when homeless may receive an oversupply of food. This study then seeks to explore the role of NGOs and the relationships existing among these organizations for the development of the homeless community. Moreover, three concepts were highlighted throughout the process namely trust, network and collaboration as yardsticks in identifying the organizations existing social capital. Seven NGOs serve as the subject of this study. All the transcriptions were analyzed qualitatively using Nvivo. Results of the study showed that trust exists among NGOs and this trust rests both in their organization as well in other organizations. NGOs also work more individually rather than working collaboratively with other NGOs working with the homeless but it has to be highlighted that NGOs work together in a certain extent though collaboration is not a usual action. Nevertheless, they have strong networks ranging from small to big corporations found within and outside these NGOs. It is therefore concluded that in the context of this study, NGO food support providers to homeless in Kuala Lumpur operate in between bonding and bridging types of social capital. This “Bonding-Bridging SC” suggests the feature of moralistic trust whereby trust is based on their faith that goodwill rests on other NGOs which is essential for civic engagement. With this kind of existing social capital amongst the NGOs, food provision to the homeless people in Kuala Lumpur is manageable as food and other services are monitored and NGOs are aware to each other NGO‟s programs. In the issue of homeless community development, these NGOs could further extend their collaboration for a wider and greater impact especially that issue on homelessness in KL continues to escalate.

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