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1
Redford, Sofia. "Framing the issues of orphans and vulnerable children /." Connect to online version, 2008. http://ada.mtholyoke.edu/setr/websrc/pdfs/www/2008/255.pdf.
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Claret, Laura. "The psychological well-being among institutionalized orphans and vulnerable children in Maputo." Thesis, Stockholm University, Department of Psychology, 2008. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:su:diva-8004.
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In sub-Saharan Africa, poverty and its consequences hit orphan and vulnerable children (OVC) the hardest. As the once protective safety net dissipates, many OVC are forced to live in overcrowded and understaffed orphanages. In the attempt to meet survival needs, psychological health is pushed into the background. The aim of this study is to increase the understanding of psychological well-being among institutionalized OVC in Maputo, Mozambique. Qualitative interviews (N=12) and field observations in orphanages (N=6) were analyzed through the hierarchy of needs model. Institutionalized OVC were found living under poor general care with few opportunities for ludic, educational, and social growth. Also among the finding were neglect and abuse, attachment difficulties and traumatic stress symptoms. Nonetheless, this study opposes the disuse of orphanages and suggests interventions to improve the children’s psychological well-being.
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Seyuba, Mesele M. "Assessing responses and interventions to orphans and vulnerable children affected by HIV/AIDS: A case study of the experiences of HIV/AIDS orphans and vulnerable children in Gugulethu, Cape Town." Master's thesis, University of Cape Town, 2010. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/11771.
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This study examines how children who are exposed to the impact of HIV/AIDS in their immediate families are affected; what their experiences are and what coping strategies they employ on a day to day basis. Such children are referred to as HIV/AIDS orphans and vulnerable children (OVC). Furthermore, the study examines the response proposals of key role players, such as government departments, civil society organisations and the affected communities, in dealing with the challenges faced by HIV/AIDS OVCs.
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Motlogelwa, Kealeboga Kelly. "An exploration of social policy responses for orphans and vulnerable children in Botswana." Master's thesis, University of Cape Town, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/12081.
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This study explores whether social policy responses for orphans and vulnerable children(OVC) in Botswana address the needs of this category of children. The objectives of social policies and legislation (such as the Constitution, the Children's Act of 2009, the National Guidelines on the Care of OVC of 2008, and the Botswana National Plan of Action for OVC of 2010-2016) in relation to social protection are analysed, and the availability, accessibility and adequacy of the HIV and AIDS social protection measures for OVC, namely prevention of mother-to-child transmission, antiretroviral therapy, and community home-based care and orphan food baskets, are described. The study argues that these social policy responses for OVC are inadequate and do not comprehensively meet the needs of OVC. There is an inadequate legal and policy framework, fragmentation of social protection provisions, inadequate minimum eligibility criteria, shortage of human resources, insufficient funding, lack of awareness, and the presence of stigma and discrimination. These present barriers to the availability, accessibility and adequacy of social protection provision to OVC.
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Mutenheri, Hellen. "A formative evaluation of the James House programme for orphans and vulnerable children." Master's thesis, University of Cape Town, 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/8546.
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Includes bibliographical references.The increasing burden of care and support of orphaned children or those made vulnerable by HIV/AIDS remains a critical and challenging issue particularly in the South African context. A number of community based interventions have been put in place to provide both material and psychosocial support. This dissertation is a theory-driven process evaluation of a programme offering care and support to orphans and vulnerable children (OVCs). The programme is run by James House, a non-governmental organization whose main objective is to meet the basic needs of children in their service area; to protect them from abuse and exploitation, and to ensure there is no family breakdown that would lead to institutionalisation of the children. James House implements a nationally accredited model of care for OVCs called Isibindi. The James House approach involves direct support to OVCs and indirect support through referrals to complementary services. This dissertation presents the results of a formative evaluation of the James House Isibindi programme which provides some insight into the implementation and improvement of the programme.
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Goba, Linda. "Educators perceived challenges in dealing with HIV and AIDS orphans and vulnerable children." Thesis, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/10948/963.
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The HIV and AIDS pandemic in South Africa has increased the number of orphans and vulnerable children in the school system. Given the prominent role that teachers can play in ensuring that these children receive a quality education so as to maximise their life opportunities, it is important for teachers to be empowered and equipped to enable them to deal with issues surrounding orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) at schools. This study focuses on how teachers are experiencing the impact of HIV and AIDS in schools as a result of having OVC in their classes. The Department of Education has developed training courses to help teachers cope with the impact of HIV and AIDS, but the effectiveness of these programmes has not yet been evaluated. This study aims to establish how teachers who have attended these programmes feel about the assistance rendered to them to deal with OVC related issues. In order to meet this aim, a qualitative enquiry was conducted among a sample of selected teachers from the Eastern Cape. The findings suggest that, while the training has helped to improve the knowledge and attitudes of the teachers, it has not equipped them with the necessary skills to overcome barriers to implement the training programmes at school level. The findings also suggest that there is a need for ongoing support from the Department of Education and the trainers it contracts to ensure that learning from the training is implemented in the schools. Based on the research findings, the study concludes with recommendations that will help teachers to better cope with OVC related issues at school.
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Seruwagi, Gloria K. "Examining the agency and construction of 'Orphans and Vulnerable Children' in rural Uganda." Thesis, University of Huddersfield, 2012. http://eprints.hud.ac.uk/id/eprint/17506/.
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The increasing number of “orphans and vulnerable children” (‘OVC’) in sub-Saharan Africa has been the subject of much inquiry and intervention in research, policy and practice. Two major concerns have been highlighted: i) traditional mechanisms for their care and support are overstretched and ii) ‘OVC’ have poor socioeconomic outcomes. Dominant discourses emphasise adults’ central role in ‘OVC’ wellbeing while ‘OVC’ are cast as helpless, passive victims and not active social agents who demonstrate resilience and ingenuity in dealing with difficult circumstances. Focussing on Sheema district in rural Uganda, this study sought to give voice to ‘OVC’ and use their lived experiences to develop a robust framework of care and support. ‘OVC’ were engaged as producers of knowledge and agents of change using innovative child-centred approaches to explore representations of their care and support through verbal and visual representation of their lived realities. This methodology enabled the development of narratives and critical dialogue about social issues with grassroots social activism. For example participatory methods such as draw-and-write, community mapping and daily-routine-diagrams located the conceptual tools and analytic skills in the hands of ‘OVC’. This study found that the majority of existing ‘OVC’ representations are adult constructs not necessarily subscribed to by ‘OVC’ themselves. Acknowledging their difficult circumstances, most ‘OVC’ have devised solutions to their challenges and are optimistic despite being constrained by structural and cultural barriers. Traditional care mechanisms have evolved and require strengthening, particularly at community level. The lens through which most interventions have been commissioned, implemented and evaluated is paternalistic and does not acknowledge ‘OVC’ competencies. ‘OVC’ voices and lived experiences should inform interventions; also they should be constructed in a more balanced light – showing their challenges while acknowledging their agency in dealing with these challenges. This study proposes a more nuanced label for ‘OVC’ and also develops a robust theoretical framework for their care and support.
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Martin, Cherie. "Caregiver Perspectives on Psychosocial Support Programming for Orphans and Vulnerable Children in South Africa." Thesis, Université d'Ottawa / University of Ottawa, 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/10393/31921.
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In 2011 there were an estimated 3.9 million orphaned children in South Africa, many of them orphaned by HIV/AIDS. These children are at high risk for developing psychosocial and mental health problems. The National Strategy for the care of orphans and other vulnerable children (OVCs) recognizes the importance of psychosocial support but there are few specific guidelines on best practice and little research on the effectiveness of psychosocial support programs. There is even less research capturing the perspectives of front-line staff and caregivers. This master’s thesis project conducted a case study of an NGO that provides foster care for OVCs in the Western Cape of South Africa.
Semi-structured interviews were carried out with 14 foster mothers, four social workers and one administrator of the HomeFromHome organization. Interviews explored the experiences, opinions and concerns of participants regarding psychosocial support and the respondents’ views on the (1) main challenges they face in providing psychosocial support (2) what they see as the most effective forms of support and (3) their recommendations for policy changes.
Responses highlighted the psychosocial challenges faced by OVCs, those caring for children, and program staff. The research findings support the existing literature, which promotes psychosocial support as essential for orphaned, and vulnerable children. This case study found that HomeFromHome social workers, foster mothers and administration want increased levels of psychosocial support for both children and caregivers. Respondents identified foster mothers and a primary loving caregiver as the most significant form and source of psychosocial support for the children.
An analysis of the participant responses identified several areas that warrant further investigation for future policy and program development. These include: the different forms of alternative childcare, the role of the community and the church, the gap between policy and implementation, gendered issues, the aging out process, and issues concerning biological families.
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Chikova, Adelaide. "An analysis of the effects of the political environment on the governance of orphans and vulnerable children by non-state actors in Mutare, Zimbabwe." Diss., University of Pretoria, 2020. http://hdl.handle.net/2263/75551.
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This study focused on how the political environment affects the governance of orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) by non-state actors in Mutare, Zimbabwe. The increase in the number of OVC has led to non-state actors intervening to care and support for OVC because the government is no longer able to do so. Traditionally, extended families worked as the safety net for OVC but due to certain government policies and failures, the burden of caring for the children has increasingly fallen on non-state actors. Governance determines who has power, who makes decisions, how people make their voices heard, and how account is rendered. It aims to promote and strengthen participation by civil society in governing. This research looked at people involved in decision making, who the actors are, and who they report to. A qualitative research design and case study approach was used to provide answers to the research problem which is an investigation of the effects of the political environment on the governance of OVC. Primary data collection was obtained through interviews in organizations in Mutare that assists OVCs. The researcher made use of content analysis to analyse the data that was obtained through interviews. This research found that although the government of Zimbabwe created policies to support the care of the OVC, they have also created an undesirable environment that affects the governance of OVCs. Some of the policies were created to monitor the functioning of non-state actors which resulted in most of the organizations to relocate to neighbouring countries. The outcomes of this study will assist policymakers and childcare programmes to review and design effective intervention policies aimed at helping OVC in Zimbabwe.Dissertation (MA)--University of Pretoria, 2020.
UP postgraduate bursary for Masters and Doctoral students.
Political Sciences
MA
Unrestricted
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Kurfi, Mustapha Hashim. "Societal Responses to the State of Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) in Kano Metropolis- Nigeria." Ohio University / OhioLINK, 2010. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1276119050.
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Doku, Paul Narh. "The mental health of orphans and vulnerable children within the context of HIV/AIDS in Ghana." Thesis, University of Glasgow, 2012. http://theses.gla.ac.uk/3629/.
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Background: The HIV/AIDS epidemic has contributed to a drastic increase in the number of orphans and vulnerable children in sub-Saharan Africa. However, little is known about the mental health of these children in low prevalence areas such as Ghana. The thesis investigated the relationship between orphanhood, parental HIV/AIDS status and mental health. It further examined the mediating effects of identified risk and protective factors on the relationship between orphanhood/parental HIV/AIDS status and psychological difficulties. Finally, the thesis identified pathways through which HIV/AIDS impacts children by exploring the interactive and cumulative effects of the various risk and protective factors on psychological difficulties. Method: The thesis employed cross-sectional, quantitative interviews that involved 291 children aged 10-18 years and their caregivers that compared children who have lost their parents to AIDS, those who have lost their parents to other causes, those who are living with HIV/AIDS-infected caregivers and children from intact families in the Manya Krobo district in Ghana. ANOVAs, T-tests, General Linear Models, Log-linear Analyses, Chi-Squares and Bivariate Correlations were used to analyze the data that were obtained from both the children and their caregivers. Results After controlling for relevant socio-demographic factors, both children and informants’ reports showed that children orphaned by AIDS and those living with infected parents showed higher delinquency (p <.01), peer problems (p <.001), hyperactivity (p <.01) and lower self esteem (p <.001) than other orphans and children from intact families. AIDS orphans, other orphans and those living with HIV/AIDS-infected parents all reported significantly more depression (p <.001) and relationship problems (p <.001) than those for intact families. Conduct problems as indicated by informants’ reports were generally, significantly higher for orphans and vulnerable children compared to children from intact families. Over 70% of both AIDS orphans and children living with infected parents showed internalising symptoms that were above clinical cut-offs for abnormality. AIDS orphans and children living with infected parents reported more stigma, abuse, child labour and lower levels of SES and lower perceived social support. These factors independently, strongly mediated the relationship between orphanhood, parental HIV/AIDS status and mental health. The interactive and cumulative effect of engagement in child labour and being physically abused heightened the risks for depressive symptoms from 38% to 66%. Neglect and psychological abuse increased the risks for symptoms of Reactive Attachment Disorder from 26.6% to 67.3%. The cumulative effect of stigma and either child labour or physical abuse substantially increased the likelihood of delinquency symptoms to approximately 67%. Conclusion: The findings demonstrated that both AIDS orphans and children living with HIV/AIDS-infected parents showed heightened psychosocial symptoms. The present evidence also highlighted the interactive, cumulative, co-occurrence of contextual factors and HIV/AIDS unique exposures to create heightened vulnerabilities for psychological difficulties among children. The findings call for a comprehensive intervention programme that addresses factors specific to HIV/AIDS and contextual variables.
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Makhonza, Lindokuhle Octavia. "Resilience among orphans and vulnerable children in KwaZulu- Natal schools: towards a psychosocial model of intervention." Thesis, University of Zululand, 2018. http://uzspace.unizulu.ac.za:8080/xmlui/handle/10530/1634.
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A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Education in fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Education in the Department of Educational Psychology and Special Education at the University of Zululand, 2018This study investigated the resilience among Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) in KwaZulu-Natal schools. It identified OVC challenges and developed a psychosocial model of intervention. The Social Ecological Model was adopted as a framework for the study. The study adopted the mixed method research design. The population for the study was the OVC, caregivers and teachers from Kwazulu-Natal schools, specifically Amajuba and Zululand Districts. Random selection was done for OVC from mainstream schools. Purposive sampling method was used to select OVC from special schools, schools near the orphanage, home of safety and a Full Service school. The sample which participated during quantitative data collection consisted of 303 OVC from 12 to 20 years old who were selected from 7 school in Amajuba and Zululand Districts.The sample which participated in qualitative data collection consisted of 4 focus groups and those were 6 caregivers, 6 teachers and 12 OVC. OVC were selected from 303 OVC who filled the questionnaires and CYRM-28. This made a total of 24 participants for focus groups. The total of participants for the whole study was 315. Three instruments were used to collect data for this study, namely; the Child and Youth Resilience Scale-28 (CYRM-28), the self-constructed psychosocial questionnaire and the interview schedule. The CYRM-28 was used to measure the extent of OVC resilience with the self-constructed questionnaire. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse data. Frequencies were created for descriptive data and the Chi-Square statistical technique was used to test the null hypothesis. Then the thematic content analysis was used to identify themes from the focus group interviews. The results of descriptive statistics indicated that 79% of all participants reported high availability of resources that enabled resilience. Fewer resources were reported for children who had experienced abuse, followed by those with disabilities and more resources were reported for orphans. The main challenges of OVC identified were lack of support from teachers and neighbours/ communities. Other challenges included maltreatment by caregiver, OVC behavioural problems, unavailability of documents for social grant applications. Child Headed Household was identified as lacking all resources. The findings of inferential statistics indicated that there is a significant relationship between the age, gender and custody of OVC and their availability of resources. OVC and caregivers encountered various problems which were risk factors for the resilience of OVC. Availability of resources to a majority of OVC who participated in the study was a protective factor. Participants recommended that more resources which promote resilience of OVC be made available to communities, for examples, old age homes, and entrepreneurship skills, continuous counselling services for caregivers and OVC and recreational facilities for communities. Lastly, the psychosocial model of intervention was developed based on the literature and findings of the study.
Natonal Research Foundation National Institute for Humanities and Social Sciences (NIHSS)
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Bisimba, Helen K. "Vulnerable within the vulnerable : protection of orphaned children heading households in Tanzania." Thesis, University of Warwick, 2011. http://wrap.warwick.ac.uk/46783/.
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The adoption and ratification of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) 1989 came as a promise to the improvement of children’s well-being and status throughout the globe. The African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the African Child (ACRWC) sparked more hope for the African Child. A number of initiatives by governments and Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) have been undertaken to enforce the rights of the child; yet children continue to suffer from various injustices. In Tanzania orphaned children heading households (OCHH) suffer even more as they struggle between adult and children roles. This thesis reveals a disconnection between the perspectives of the OCHH and those of the different governance institutions supposed to protect the children at the local, national and global levels. In a socio-legal study this thesis uses ethnographic techniques to focus on the OCHH themselves and their perspectives. It explores their understandings and the role played by the multitude of governance institutions around them, which do not seem to address the injustices facing them. The thesis uses governance, law and ethic of care approaches to analyse the children’s position. It argues that although OCHH suffer, they are not ‘suffering bodies’ instead they are ‘political persons’ claiming their agency.
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Sibeko, Sifiso Gift, J. D. Thwala, and M. M. Shabalala. "Experiences of primary school educators supporting learners who are hiv/aids orphans and vulnerable children at Umkhanyakude district Kwazulu-Natal." Thesis, University of Zululand, 2018. http://hdl.handle.net/10530/1835.
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Submitted in fulfilment of the requirements of the Master of Arts (Community work) in the Department of Social Work in the Faculty of Arts at the University of Zululand, 2018.Recent studies indicate that there has been a dramatic increase in the number of school going HIV/AIDS orphans in South Africa. The study purpose was to explore the experiences of primary school educators supporting learners who are HIV/AIDS orphans and vulnerable children in the uMkhanyakude District, KwaZulu-Natal. KwaZulu-Natal has the highest number of orphans. The study targeted primary school educators in UMkhanyakude District, KwaZulu-Natal. A qualitative research approach was adopted for this study; due to using such an approach, the sample was selected through a non-probability sample technique with purposive sampling. Unstructured interviews were used to collect data from members of School Management Teams and focus groups were facilitated to gather data from class educators. Content analysis was used to analyse data. Three main themes emerged from the data analysis process: difficulties faced by educators; opportunities available for educators supporting OVC’s; and challenges educators face when supporting HIV/AIDS orphans and vulnerable children. Findings of the study were that educators face challenges such as dealing with socially unacceptable behaviour of HIV/AIDS orphans and vulnerable children. They indicated that it led to stress and depression. Opportunities for supporting orphans were limited since schools do not have policies and resources to provide support to HIV/AIDS orphans and vulnerable children. Both educators and SMT revealed that they have limited knowledge of policies and skills to create school-based supportive environments. Challenges such as: a lack of resources, unresponsive guardians of orphans, poor attendance and performance of HIV/AIDS orphans and vulnerable children were discovered. Recommendations were based on the training and development needed by educators. Educators unanimously agreed that outsourcing professionals, such as school social workers and psychologists, could help them cope with these predicaments they face. Secondly, involving community-based structures was another recommendation to ensure that everyone in the community plays a role in supporting educators.
UniZulu Foundation
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Manful, Saka Ebenezer. "Exploring the Place of State Residential Care in Providing Services for Vulnerable Children and Orphans in Ghana." Thesis, Queen's University Belfast, 2009. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.517545.
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Kunda, Rosaria. "Vulnerable children, schooling and the feminisation of the AIDS pandemic in Zambia." Thesis, University of the Western Cape, 2006. http://etd.uwc.ac.za/index.php?module=etd&action=viewtitle&id=gen8Srv25Nme4_4874_1189597212.
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This study aimed to explore the gender imbalances that exist in access to education and participation in schooling of the female orphans and vulnerable children, and also how this relates to the continuing feminisation of the HIV and AIDS pandemic in Zambia. The study was based on the premise that the girl child is disadvantaged in this area, and the HIV and AIDS pandemic in worsening the situation for female orphans and vulnerable children.
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Wood, Enid. "The phenomenon of resilience in aids orphans / Enid Wood." Thesis, North-West University, 2007. http://hdl.handle.net/10394/2466.
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Warren, Angela. "The School-Based Family: Coaches and Teachers as Parental Figures for Orphans and Vulnerable Children in Ugandan Schools." BYU ScholarsArchive, 2012. https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/etd/3252.
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The purpose of this study was to qualitatively examine the possible formation of surrogate families within Ugandan schools to provide a context for positive development experiences, especially for orphans who lack positive development opportunities provided by parents. The sample for this study consisted of 66 Ugandan Secondary School students from eight schools in the Mukono district of Uganda. This study found a potentially widespread family formation pattern between students and their teachers/coaches. More than 75% of students self-identified their teacher and/or coach as family. The results provide insight concerning why orphans and vulnerable children are forming surrogate families with staff members at school. Teachers and coaches were able to offer the students positive developmental assets and were therefore identified as family.
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Tshitswana, Dintle S. "Batswana cultural beliefs and practices implications for methods of care for AIDS orphans and other vulnerable children in Botswana /." Ohio : Ohio University, 2003. http://www.ohiolink.edu/etd/view.cgi?ohiou1082143462.
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Ntaote, Grace Makeletso. "Exploring ways of assisting Lesotho educators to offer care and support to children orphaned and rendered vulnerable by HIV and AIDS." Thesis, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1320.
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The HIV and AIDS pandemic has resulted in 14 million children being orphaned worldwide. In Lesotho alone, where this study was carried out, there are about 180 000 of these children (UNAIDS, 2007). Teachers, especially in Lesotho‘s primary schools need to be equipped to better deal with the challenges that result from having these children in their classrooms. At the Lesotho College of Education, where I have worked for 12 years as a teacher educator, pre-service and in-service student teachers are not trained to offer care and support to orphans and vulnerable children. They experience problems in the classroom emanating from the needs of these children. This study followed an action research design to find ways to support teachers to better deal with the issues they face as a result of having orphans and vulnerable children in their classes. Using a qualitative approach, educators perceptions, feelings, attitudes and experiences in dealing with orphans and vulnerable children in their schools were identified, and it became apparent that educators were negatively affected on a personal and professional level. It was concluded that the development of resilience in educators would help them to better cope with orphans and vulnerable children in their classes. The chosen intervention Resilient Educators Programme (REds) was implemented and evaluated and findings revealed that it was beneficial in increasing educator resilience. Recommendations, based on the findings of the study, were made for future teacher education in this area.
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Tshitswana, Dintle. "Tswana Cultural Beliefs and Practices – Implications for Methods of Care for AIDS Orphans and Other Vulnerable Children in Botswana." Ohio University / OhioLINK, 2003. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1082143462.
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Garutsa, Tendayi C. "The role of non-governmental organisations in addressing the needs of orphans and vulnerable children in Marondera district, Zimbabwe." Thesis, University of Fort Hare, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/10353/491.
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The diminishing provision of services by the state, coupled with the escalating numbers of Orphans and Vulnerable Children in Zimbabwe, represents a crucial concern for Non-Governmental Organisations. The socio-economic and political crisis in Zimbabwe has created a vacuum for social service provision. In this gap, Non-Governmental Organisations have stepped in as alternatives playing a critical and positive role in caring for Orphans and Vulnerable Children. Notwithstanding the generally valid critique of the imperialist role of Non-Governmental Organisations as agents of multi-lateral institutions and dominant western governments, the repressive despotism and the consequent socio-economic crisis in Zimbabwe has necessitated that Save the Children play a prominent role in caring for Orphans and Vulnerable Children. This study builds upon fieldwork undertaken in the Marondera district in Zimbabwe. This fieldwork was conducted amongst children who have been left orphaned and vulnerable because of various reasons, and investigates the interventions of Save the Children in the lives of these orphans. Ethnographic research, encompassing three kinds of data collection methods, was used. These data collection methods are interviews, observation and documents. This, in turn, produced three kinds of data namely, quotations, descriptions, and excerpts of document on the basis of which narrative descriptions where derived. Interviews were transcribed and later analyzed through content analysis. The findings indicated that, as a consequence of the failure of the state in Zimbabwe, Save the Children has played a primary role in addressing the needs of Orphans and Vulnerable Children despite the idea that non-governmental organisations have expanded and consolidated the neoliberal hegemony, at a global level, in the name of mitigating the social and economic dimensions of Structural Adjustment Programmes (Kothari, 1993). Save the Children’s interventions for orphans and vulnerable children take many forms, including educational assistance, legal protection, HIV/AIDS mitigation programs, psychosocial support and material support. The formal and informal systems also act as safety nets for Orphans and Vulnerable Children. However, these have failed to appropriately assist the Orphans and Vulnerable Children with sustainable initiatives. The vacuum created by the Zimbabwean context has however necessitated the growing importance of the activities of Save the Children in caring for Orphans and Vulnerable Children.
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Lundberg, Evelyn. "In the tension between the local and the global : A field study about organizational and cultural challenges faced by NGO:s working with orphans and vulnerable children in Gaborone; Botswana." Thesis, Hälsohögskolan, Högskolan i Jönköping, HHJ, Avd. för beteendevetenskap och socialt arbete, 2016. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:hj:diva-31008.
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The HIV and AIDS epidemic in sub-Saharan Africa calls a great national and global response in order to face the challenges associated with the illness for the individual, households, community and future of nations. The disease has led to an increased number of orphans and other vulnerable children in Botswana where the non-governmental organizations stand for social service delivery to these children. However, this is not without challenges and pressure for adaption from other organizations. The NGO staff members carry out their work within this organizational context between a variety of influences and relations that are reflected in terms of challenges they define. A wide range of strategies are used by the actors and organizations to deal with these barriers. Therefore, it is of importance to explore the NGO staff member’s experiences of their work in relation to an institutional perspective, which this study intends to do. The focus of the analysis was on separating the material into categories that answer the research aim by using influences from the coding process of grounded theory. The results demonstrated that the NGOs work within local and global tensions in their organizational fields including the ability to preserve traditional practices and adapt to international changes. This for the organizations to be able to gain legitimacy, receive funds and continue to provide their services to orphans and other vulnerable children in the country.HIV och AIDS-epidemin i subsahariska Afrika kräver en omfattande nationell och global respons för att möta de utmaningar som är förknippade med sjukdomen för individen, hushåll, samhället och nationers framtid. Sjukdomen har lett till ett ökat antal föräldralösa och andra utsatta barn i Botswana där icke-statliga organisationer står för utförande av sociala tjänster och vård till dessa barn. Detta är dock inte utan utmaningar och påtryckningar om anpassning från andra organisationer. De icke-statliga organisationernas personal utför sitt arbete inom detta organisatoriska sammanhang mellan en mängd olika influenser och relationer som återspeglas i utmaningar vilka de definierar. Ett brett utbud av strategier används av de aktörer och organisationer för att ta itu med dessa hinder. Därför är det av vikt att utforska icke-statliga organisationer och specifikt personalens erfarenheter av sitt arbete i förhållande till ett institutionellt perspektiv, vilket denna studie avser att göra. Fokus för analysen var att separera materialet i kategorier som svarar på syftet genom att använda influenser från kodningsprocessen av ”grundad teori”. Resultatet visade att organisationerna arbetar inom lokala och globala spänningar i deras organisatoriska fält, inkluderande en vilja att bevara traditionella sedvänjor men samtidigt anpassa sig till internationella förändringar. Detta för att de icke-statliga organisationerna ska kunna uppnå legitimitet, få finansiering och fortsätta att tillhandahålla sina tjänster till föräldralösa och utsatta barn i landet.
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Brown, David Jonathan. "Christian ethics and compassion ministry to orphans and vulnerable children in the current AIDS crisis in South Africa / Brown, D.J." Thesis, North-West University, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/10394/6980.
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The Republic of South Africa has the largest number of people living with HIV/AIDS in the world; the disease is classified as “hyper–epidemic” here. It is estimated that almost half of the deaths in the country are now from AIDS–related causes, and life–expectancy over the past 15 years has dropped from 64 to 49.3 years. As a millions of parents die from the disease, there is corresponding surge in the number of maternal, paternal, and double orphans, increasing by more than 2000 children per week and now believed to exceed 4 million of South Africa’s 18.7 million children. These bereaved children are battling grief, loneliness, hunger, poor diet, poor health, stigma, discrimination, molestation, abuse, the risk of disease, and the loss of education and property. The pandemic has exacerbated the already difficult situation faced by many of South Africa’s children due to poverty, fragmented families, poor service delivery, and moral decay. Collectively, these young ones have been designated as “OVC,” meaning orphans and vulnerable children. The South African government provides a basic grant for the households of about 25% of these children, and non–profit organisations, backed by private and business donors domestically and abroad, are caring for about 10%. Much has been done, informally and formally, but at a time when funding is diminishing, much more needs to be done, and the Christian community needs to be leading the way.
The aim of this study is to explore the Christian ethical basis for compassion ministry to orphans and vulnerable children, and to investigate other related ethical parameters for first–world volunteers getting involved in compassion ministry to largely third–world OVC in South Africa. The study involved both a comparative literary analysis as well as field research involving ten Christian orphan–care ministries, some over a period of four years. The study begins by documenting the most recent statistics regarding HIV/AIDS and the growing OVC population in South Africa. It then articulates the direct impact that the pandemic is having on OVC. Thereafter, compassion is defined and described from a biblical standpoint, and the ethical imperative for God’s people to show compassion to sufferers and orphans is established from the character of God, the image of God in mankind, the commands of God, and the ministry and teachings of Jesus Christ, the Apostles, the early Church, and the revived Church in later centuries. Specifically, compassion is portrayed as one cord of the three–fold cord of gospel ministry that includes the gospel message, ethical teachings, and compassion ministry. Next, the ethics of adaptive ministry are explored emphasising incarnational ministry, contextualising God’s truth, understanding African worldviews, giving significance to cultural differences, and working wisely with the poor. Compassion can propel people to do right things in all the wrong ways, and it must therefore be paired with wisdom gained from the Scriptures and from Christians working in the field that helps to create ethical riverbanks so that damage is not done to the cause of Christ or to the communities in which OVC are found. Next, using an appreciative inquiry approach, ten Christian OVC–care ministries in three provinces were evaluated, five “outside the walls” and five “inside the walls,” to identify the best in each organisation’s philosophy, structure, methodology, and impact, and to highlight what is being done in the field of Christian compassion ministry to OVC.
The research concludes by reviewing an orderly process of ethical inquiry into human behaviour, establishing compassion as a prescriptive virtue in the theonomous norm of Scripture, and compassion ministry to orphans as highly meritorious and particularly favoured by God. Because the duty of compassion arises from an encounter with a sufferer, it was concluded that South African Christians have an elevated ethical duty to be more involved in this type of ministry. Research revealed that incarnational ministry is not a critical issue in the field of OVC care since very few first–world volunteers go into the African milieu for any length of time; Africans are the primary caregivers and care workers in the field. A conclusion was also reached that, although the mark of distinctively Christian OVC care organisations is spiritual discipleship, most OVC care ministries perform poorly regarding the spiritual welfare and training of children; OVC ministries that provide or arrange Christian education see discipleship as a critical need and a core value. A more detailed summary of findings is set forth in Chapter 7.Thesis (Ph.D. (Ethics))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.
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Marangu, Joyce Njeri. "Social protection policy in promoting human development outcomes: the cash transfer programme for orphans and vulnerable children in Kiambu, Kenya." Thesis, University of the Western Cape, 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/11394/4073.
Full textAbstract:
Magister Artium (Development Studies) - MA(DVS)Cash transfers, integral in social protection, have increasingly been viewed as a viable measure of promoting human development outcomes in low and middle income countries in the face of persistent poverty exacerbated by the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Sub-Saharan Africa has been the worst hit by the HIV/AIDS pandemic with almost two thirds of the world’s HIV/AIDS patients living in the region. By 2005, 12 million children were orphaned by the disease while 2 million more below 15 years of age were estimated to be infected (UNICEF, 2005:2). To address the plight of orphans and vulnerable children in Kenya the government together with various international development agencies launched the Cash Transfer Programme for Orphans and Vulnerable Children (CT-OVC) in 2004 to provide for the basic needs of OVC and promote their human development. With the capability approach as its theoretical framework, this research seeks to determine the value attached by recipients of the CT-OVC to capabilities in the four broad dimensions of social life, health, education and play. It also seeks to gauge the extent of attainment of functionings in the four dimensions, and the association between participation in the programme and one’s functionings in the key dimensions. The research is conducted through a quasi-experimental design which compares recipients of the cash transfer to non-recipients and mixed methods are used to collect and analyse data. Results show that OVC consider capabilities in the dimensions of social life, education, health and play to be of high value in their lives. Children in the recipient group appear to have attained functionings in the four dimensions to a higher degree than their counterparts in the comparison group. There is also an association between participation in the CT-OVC programme and attainment of functionings in all four dimensions. Perceptions from participants explore further opportunities created or expanded through the CT-OVC as well as participants’ suggestions on the programme
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Eriksson, Beatrice, and Maria Grönte. "ON DIFFERENT TERMS - Social work among vulnerable children in a developing country." Thesis, Malmö högskola, Fakulteten för hälsa och samhälle (HS), 2011. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:mau:diva-25000.
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The aim of this study is to get a deeper understanding, from a Swedish context, of how you can do social work with vulnerable and orphaned children in a developing country such as Uganda. We have investigated this through the example WEBALE, an NGO working in a context where among other things HIV/AIDS, poverty and a defective social safety net have led to social problems affecting children. Further, we have also aimed at acquiring a deeper understanding of what it is that motivates the volunteers and the director to work with vulnerable children at WEBALE. In order to fulfil this aim, the research has the following two key questions: What is the motivation for the teacher volunteers and the manager to work with vulnerable children at WEBALE? How do the teacher volunteers perceive the social work with the children in everyday life at WEBALE and what experiences do they have from this? The study is a field study with a phenomenological and ethnological approach. We were present at and took part in the everyday life of the informants at the school and orphanage in Uganda for eight weeks. The investigation uses a qualitative method where four interviews and participant observations were carried out. The results are analyzed in connection with theories on social work defining preventions and interventions, where theories on risk- and protection factors and the salutogenetic theory on SOC have been used. The analysis is also connected to theories on social work with children from a developmental-ecological and attachment-theoretical perspective. The results show what it is that motivates the volunteers and manager to work as volunteers in this specific contest through personal accounts of their background. Our observation is that the motivation of the volunteers and the manager to work with orphaned and vulnerable children is closely connected to their own background and childhood. The biggest reason for this kind of a life choice seems to be a sense of coherence and the largest motivating factor is that the work they do feels meaningful. The results further highlight the social work that is carried out and how the volunteers perceive their work at WEBALE. The study shows that the volunteers (who mainly consist of teachers) carry out what can be called social work, according to the definitions of interventions and preventions within various fields, such as health, education, emotional and behavioural development, ability to take care of oneself, social behaviour, family and social relations, and identity.
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Munodawafa, Kudzai Emma Chademana. "Quality of life in a fragile state: a study of orphans and vulnerable children living in child-headed households in Zimbabwe." Thesis, University of the Western Cape, 2017. http://hdl.handle.net/11394/6188.
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Philosophiae Doctor - PhD (School of Public Health)Households headed by children, adolescents and youths are a growing phenomenon across sub- Saharan Africa. This is largely a result of the increasing mortality of economically active adults, coupled with migration and urbanisation, which have all weakened traditional kinship systems. Children and youth living in these households experience myriad challenges arising from the absence of an adult guardian and economically active household member. Several studies have shown that children living in these child- and adolescent-headed households experience extreme poverty and deprivation. Furthermore, Zimbabwe's precarious socio-economic condition could further exacerbate these children's risks and deprivations. The wellbeing and quality of life of orphans living in these child-headed households is not well understood as there are very few studies that provide a holistic perspective on the experiences and quality of life for those in these households. The aim of this study was to assess the quality of life of orphans living in childheaded households in Zimbabwe, and explore the factors that influence their quality of life.
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Theron, Mariette. "How do conceptual and contextual problems affect the measurement validity of policies directed at orphans and vulnerable children in South Africa?" Master's thesis, University of Cape Town, 2010. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/11077.
Full textAbstract:
Includes abstract.Includes bibliographical references (leaves 81-86).
The research question examines how conceptual and contextual problems affect the measurement validity of policies directed at Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) in South Africa. This study looks at the definition of concepts used in policies directed at OVC in South Africa and to what extente these concepts lend themselves measurement. The research focused on two specific concepts related to OVC policy: 'OVC' and 'stigma'.
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Mnubi–Mchombu, Chiku. "The information needs and seeking behaviour of orphans and vulnerable children and their caregivers, and the role of service providers in Namibia." Thesis, University of Zululand, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/10530/1235.
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Thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements and the award of the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Department of Library and Information Science at the University of Zululand, South Africa, 2013.The purpose of this study was to investigate the information needs and seeking behaviour of orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) and caregivers, and to examine the role of service providers in disseminating information to OVC and caregivers in Namibia. Although several studies focusing on different aspects of the OVC situation have been done, the researcher could not identify any study that focused on the information needs and seeking behaviour of OVC and their caregivers in Namibia and how the two groups satisfy their information needs at present. In order to obtain data from the respondents, the study adopted qualitative and quantitative research methods for data collection. A questionnaire was mailed to the sampled service providers, while interviews were conducted with OVC and caregivers. Focus group discussions were also held with caregivers and key informants in order to explore the general attitudes, feelings, beliefs, experiences and reactions of the research population with respect to information needs and seeking behaviours. The study took place in the rural community of Ohangwena and the urban setting of Khomas. A total of 566 OVC, 70 caregivers, and 18 services providers from both regions took part in the study. A total of eleven focus group discussions took place; eight focus group discussions were held in Ohangwena, while three were in the Khomas region. Both rural and urban OVC indicated that they needed information in order to access financial vii assistance/grants, child care/support, feeding schemes, and health services. The most important information required, according to the OVC from Ohangwena, was information on school development fund exemption, financial assistance or grants, health services, child care/support and training opportunities. The OVC from Khomas had similar priorities with the exception of training opportunities, which was replaced with counselling. Both rural and urban OVC consulted relatives, teachers, and friends to satisfy their information needs, indicating that people were their most important source of information. The findings from focus group discussions (FGDs) with caregivers and key informants indicated that there are disparities between rural and urban areas in terms of information access and use based on literacy and education. For example, the rural dwellers cited their need for information on educational support, psychological and counselling services, child care/support, and job opportunities. In the urban setting of Khomas, educational support and the establishment of small businesses featured as prominent needs. The FGDs revealed that the radio, traditional leaders, regional councillors, friends and relatives were the most important sources and channels of information in Ohangwena, while in Khomas, friends and relatives, community leaders, and regional councillors were the most popular channels. Social workers and the television were also popular channels in Khomas. The findings of the study indicate that service providers provide a range of services to OVC and caregivers in both rural and urban areas. In the rural areas, the majority of the supporting organisations had health-related programmes focusing on feeding schemes and nutrition, and HIV/AIDS awareness. In urban areas, service providers provided psychosocial support, counselling, and resilience services. The findings reveal that the majority of the service providers used community meetings and public forums to communicate their own information and to create awareness of their services in both regions. The channels that were most frequently used in Ohangwena were community meetings and open forums, while the use of volunteers featured prominently in Khomas. The OVC and caregivers encountered various problems in accessing information, including: long distance to access information and services; language barrier for printed materials; shortage of service providers in rural areas; lack of coordination of service providers; and viii bureaucratic red tape from government departments. Major recommendations stemming from the study include: the need for service providers to provide clear information on how to access the different services that target OVC and caregivers; service providers should collaborate and use mass media channels to disseminate information; the need for a “one stop shop” where all information related to OVC services would be made available; and the need to provide information in local languages. The study concluded that information provision is a crucial resource for OVC and caregivers because it helps them identify and take advantage of available services. Conversely, lack of information leads to the lower utilization of available services and increased poverty and disempowerment. Several recommendations are made on how to improve the flow of information to OVC and caregivers to help them easily locate and use facilities and services that have been set up for them either by the government, or by non-governmental organisations and other service providers. The study also proposes a model to improve the provision of information to OVC and caregivers in the two regions.
University of Zululand
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Shibuya, Tomoko. "Alternative care options and social protection policy choices to support orphans and vulnerable children : a comparative study of Mozambique and Guinea-Bissau." Doctoral thesis, University of Cape Town, 2016. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/20641.
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The number of orphans in Sub-Saharan Africa reached 51,900,000 in 2013. There has been limited research, particularly in the countries of Mozambique and Guinea-Bissau, on the role of social protection policies, types of alternative care, and fulfillment of basic needsin ensuring the welfare of this vulnerable population. The goal of the present thesis was to examine the interconnections between these factors and their relations to the overall well-being of 122 orphans and vulnerable children between the ages of 10 and 17 yearsin the two countries. Using a mixed-method approach, both quantitative data (health, basic needs fulfillment, domains of well-being) and exploratory qualitative interview-based data were collected. A literature review on the social protection policies of orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) was undertaken prior to data collection in the field. Caregivers and local authorities were also interviewed. The results showed a marked difference in the way basic and psycho-social needs were met in the different types of alternative care situations children experienced in the two countries. The well-being of children varied widely among the care centres within each country, and indicated a comparative advantage for those children living in residential centres. The findings also indicated that the efforts to support orphans and vulnerable children were more advanced in Mozambique than in Guinea-Bissau at the policy-level, but this did not necessarily translate into higher overall well-being for children in that country. Significant associations were also found between the overall well-being of orphans and vulerable children and their social situation in the community, food, health, and education situations. Taking these findings into account, the researcher calls for more comprehensive social protection policies in the two countries, promoting community integration of these children.
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Moono, Morris Muzyamba. "A Study of How the Lusaka SOS Children’s Home Rebuilds the Orphans and Vulnerable Children’s Lives and Capabilities." Thesis, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Department of Geography, 2006. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:no:ntnu:diva-932.
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The study examined how the Lusaka SOS Children’s Home (re)builds OVCs lives and capabilities using the capability approach, and the qualitative methodology. The latter brought me into physical contact with the key informants in order for me to listen to their plight. In this way, SOS seem to be contributing towards achieving Millennium Development Goals (which include achieving universal primary education and reducing infant mortality by 2015) by cutting hunger and poverty in half among OVCs. It was found that while families were best suited in raising children, SOS had done a lot in rebuilding and transforming the lives and capabilities of OVCs. The assistance included provision of decent shelter, medical facilities, education, food and protection from abuse. This assistance is a fulcrum in rebuilding capabilities for OVCs as children knew what they were capable of doing and achieving in their lives. SOS was able to help in instilling the self confidence while OVCs expressed happiness with the SOS intervention. They spoke for themselves on how poverty emanating from their own parentless status could be reduced. This shows that functionings (achievements) and capabilities vary through time and space (that is geographically) depending upon the intrinsic characteristics of the OVCs concerned, and the prevailing social costumes.
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Reyneke-Barnard, Elisabeth. "Holistic care of vulnerable children determining the fundamental needs of children, orphaned and otherwise made vulnerable by the HIV/AIDS pandemic, in the household /." Diss., Pretoria : [s.n.], 2006. http://upetd.up.ac.za/thesis/available/etd-09112007-104242/.
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Korevaar, Kim. "A psychosocial description of young orphans living in child-headed homes." Diss., University of Pretoria, 2010. http://hdl.handle.net/2263/27812.
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By 2010, it is projected that there will be 25 million orphans worldwide. It is anticipated that 2.3 million children will be orphaned due to AIDS in South Africa by 2020. Traditionally, the extended family has absorbed most people affected by the disease but there is a growing concern that families are finding it increasingly difficult to cope, perhaps reaching saturation point. In the absence of alternatives, some children end up living alone in child-headed households (CHHs), the numbers of which are rising at an alarming rate. Despite the increase in this living arrangement research is scarce on the psychosocial consequences of AIDS related orphanhood. This is more evident concerning very young orphans living in CHHs. This qualitative study explores psychosocial issues pertaining to young orphans living in CHHs from an ecosystemic perspective. Four participants, who worked in various capacities for two non-governmental organisations, were interviewed in-depth about their experiences of working with young orphans. The conversations were subjected to an interpretive analysis where, in collaboration with the participants, central themes and sub-themes were identified. Eleven main themes emerged from the analysis: why children live in child-headed households; issues surrounding the death of a parent; experiences of a young child living in a child-headed household; the experience of living in a child-headed household; stigma; relationships with relatives; relationships with peers; relationships with crèches and teachers; relationships with the community; relationships with non-governmental organisations; and relationship to government and essential services. Based on an integration of the findings, a model was presented depicting the ecosytemic factors affecting the very young child living in a CHH. CopyrightDissertation (MA)--University of Pretoria, 2010.
Psychology
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Ndonga, Moreblessing Memory. "An assessment of the impact of HIV/Aids on the children’s right to education: a case study of HIV/Aids orphans and vulnerable children in the Amathole district." Thesis, University of Fort Hare, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1018651.
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The research investigated the impact of HIV/AIDS on the children’s right to education with special focus on OVCs. The main aim of the research was to assess the impact of HIV/AIDS on the children’s right to education through examining its impact on children’s experiences and opportunities for meaningful access to education in the Amathole district of the Eastern Cape Province. The study also sought to investigate how HIV/AIDS programmes can be made an effective part of the education system in terms of the rights-based approach. The study adopted qualitative methods of research and semi-structured interviews, direct observation and literature review as methods of data collection. The findings and responses of all the respondents were analysed and discussed within a rights-based framework. The study identified four pertinent issues which include denial of children’s rights to education, to non-discrimination, to parental care and to lack of protection from abuse as four structural issues that need urgent attention. Thus, the study found out that HIV/AIDS is indeed a development problem and that it can be dealt with using some existing development approaches such as the rights-based approaches. Key recommendations are that HIV/AIDS programmes which are meant to benefit children must be made an effective part of the education system in terms of the rights-based approach. The findings of this research can be used by the Department of Social Development (DoSD), Department of Education (DoE), Non-governmental Organisations (NGOs), social workers, Community Based Organisations (CBOs), Politicians and other professionals who work closely with the Orphaned and vulnerable children (OVCs). These findings can be used to broaden people’s understanding on the impact of HIV/AIDS on the children’s right to education.
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Kachale, Blessings. "Elderly carers : the experiences of the elderly caring for orphans and vulnerable children in the context of the HIV/Aids epidemic in Chiradzuru district, Malawi." Thesis, Queen Margaret University, 2015. https://eresearch.qmu.ac.uk/handle/20.500.12289/7464.
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PURPOSE: This qualitative study explores the day-to-day care experiences and livelihoods challenges of the elderly carers of orphan and vulnerable children (OVCs) in rural Chiradzuru district in Malawi. The study aims to highlight the impact of AIDS mortality on Elderly Households’ livelihood assets. METHOD: Using case study approach data was collected from 43 cases comprised of 23 individuals and 3 Focus Groups. The main study participants were elderly-headed households caring for OVCs. Data was collected and the evidence converged using the Sustainable Livelihood Framework (SLF) to analyse findings. FINDINGS: The main ten study participants were between the ages 55-90+ caring for thirty-eight OVCs; seven of whom were single females caring for OVCs aged between 2-16 years old-some of them caring for second generation of orphans(great grandchildren). Although this is crisis-led fostering, most of the elderly have accepted the responsibility regardless of their capabilities. This highlights the value of family based care in these families. Six of the ten elderly carers had lost a significant number of assets to AIDS sickness and death of family members. A few had given up their wage earning livelihoods to care for OVCs while for the very old (71-90) their physical old-age disabilities affected pursuance of livelihoods impacting their food security and acquisition of basic needs. There was mutual reciprocity between the OVCs and their carers to pursue livelihoods which increased household resilience. Conclusion: The elderly in Chiradzuru need social security support so that they must not give up care of their children to alternative care arrangements which can contribute to trauma on OVCs.
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Hughes, Karl Alan. "Managing for outcome success by analysing treatment exposure variation and programme theory : experiences of a programme assisting orphans and vulnerable children in three African countries." Thesis, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (University of London), 2012. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.558371.
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Francis-Chizororo, Monica. "The formation, constitution and social dynamics of orphaned child headed households in rural Zimbabwe in the era of HIV/AIDS pandemic." Thesis, St Andrews, 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/10023/454.
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Molepo, Lesiba Phineas. "Challenges and coping strategies of child and youth care workers in the South African context." Thesis, University of Pretoria, 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/2263/45934.
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Child and Youth Care is another profession that falls under the social services sector. A contextualization of child and youth care field within the broader socio-economic South African context is presented. In particular, the contribution of child and youth care as a unique field is outlined in this study.
The ecological systems theory was used as the theoretical framework to underpin the study. This theory acknowledges that child and youth care as a field and child and youth care workers as professionals are not working in isolation, but are affected by the socio-economic dynamics within the broader macro-system. In the context of applied research, this study investigated the challenges and coping strategies of child and youth care workers in the South African context. Qualitative methodology was used to allow participants some reflection on the challenges experienced and coping strategies used by them. By utilizing the collective case study design, 11 focus group interviews were conducted in six provinces of South Africa to collect data from 93 participants. The participants were employed in government organisations and non-governmental organisations. Participants further represented child and youth care workers from rural, semi-urban and urban areas.
Findings revealed that child and youth care workers are faced with an array of challenges which fall under the following categories: psycho-social challenges, professional challenges and socio-economic challenges. Under each of these categories, a range of themes and sub-themes have emerged.
Themes and sub-themes that emerged under psycho-social challenges are as follows: inability to disengage from work environment, disengagement from socialisation activities, personal trauma, invasion of personal boundaries and emotional well-being issues. Coping strategies that emerged are: non-existent coping mechanisms, personal mission, substance use and quitting.
Under the professional challenges category, the following themes have emerged: dealing with clients’ behaviours, personal risk, lack of tangible and immediate results, poor stakeholder relations, lack of clarity on the role and title of the child and youth care worker, inconsistent job requirements, lack of recognition, lack of training and promotion opportunities and inadequate working conditions. To cope with these challenges, the following strategies have emerged: non-existent coping mechanisms, personal support networks and professional support networks. A range of concepts emerged under each of the sub-themes.
The specific features of the sub-theme ‘personal support networks’ include:
rationalizing, self-protection and self-care. Coping strategies under professional support networks include: colleagues, team meetings, supervision, and psychological support systems.
Challenges that emerged under socio-economic category are: inadequate remuneration structures and inadequate programme funding. To cope with these challenges, it emerged that participants resort to budgeting, formal and informal lending mechanisms, and alternative income generating streams.
Upon closer inspection of all the challenges, the study revealed that many of these challenges originate from child and youth care workers not being fully recognised as professionals. Formal recognition of this category of workers will go a long way in resolving a number of challenges raised by the participants. It is also assumed that when registered, child and youth care workers will experience better working conditions which will also enable them to be remunerated properly in line with their counterparts within the social service professions.Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2014.
tm2015
Social Work and Criminology
PhD
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Mayaba, Nokhanyo Nomakhwezi. "Exploring the use of folktales to enhance the resilince of children orphaned and rendered vulnerable." Thesis, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/10948/2776.
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The recent increase in the number of children orphaned and rendered vulnerable by HIV and AIDS in South Africa has placed an added burden on schools as sites of care and support. Education policies mandate schools to develop strategies to support such children, but this is no easy task in contexts where teachers are already struggling to fulfill instructional requirements. Literature reveals that teachers in under-resourced schools, where the problem is more severely experienced regard this increased pastoral role as an added responsibility that they do not feel competent to execute. Since there is unlikely to be any significant improvement in the circumstances of these children in the near future, there is a need to discover creative ways to address this problem. I was led to ask how teachers could support children to better cope in the face of adversity in a way that could be easily integrated into the academic curriculum, so as to minimise the perceived burden of providing care and support. Based on my knowledge of the value of bibliotherapy in promoting resilient coping in individuals, I was interested to see if folktales could be used in a similar way with groups of children. Working from an asset-based perspective, and proceeding from a transformative and participatory epistemology, I adopted an action research design to explore the potential of traditional folktales to enhance positive coping responses in children orphaned and rendered vulnerable by HIV and AIDS. My choice of traditional folktales was influenced by the importance that resilience theory attaches to cultural variables in the resilience process. The participants were isiXhosa speaking children who were orphaned and rendered vulnerable by HIV and AIDS (OVC) between the ages of nine and fourteen years (n=30) in Cycle One who lived in a children‟s home or with foster parents. In Cycle Two, the study was conducted in a school setting with thirty (n=30) participants. I conducted two cycles of reflective action research enquiry to ascertain how folktales could be used to enable teachers to meet both pastoral and academic requirements. In the first cycle, I used a pre-post time series design to explore if merely telling the stories would enhance the resilience of the children. Although this use of the stories was teacher-centred, I knew that it would be an easy and time-saving way for teachers to provide support, if it proved to be effective in enhancing resilience. Drawings and accompanying explanations were used to generate data pre-and post-intervention. The thematic analysis of the data revealed that, post-intervention, there appeared to be an increase in two resilience-enhancing indicators: the children appeared to have a more positive sense of self and improved positive relations with peers/friends. Critical reflection on the process also revealed ethical and methodological concerns and problems when working with vulnerable children. The findings from this cycle informed my second cycle, in which I adopted a more participatory approach to engage the children in making meaning of the stories and explore how they related to their own lives. I used participatory arts based methods such as drawings, collages, drama and more usual qualitative strategies, such as focus group discussion and observation, to generate data. The findings from this cycle suggest that using such strategies will equip teachers with tools to enhance the resilience of OVC in a way that also promotes the attainment of instructional outcomes. This study has contributed important theoretical, methodological and pedagogical insights. Theoretically, this study has contributed to the social ecological perspective of resilience by confirming that cultural resources, such as indigenous African stories (folktales) can enhance the resilience of vulnerable children. Lessons learnt from this study had a methodological contribution to the ethics of working with children and the use of culturally appropriate resources in the field, which were folktales. This study has also contributed to the meaning making implications of using folktales, which can aid the pedagogical strategies that teachers use. Although this study was meant to be small- scale research and was not intended to be generalisable, the findings do suggest that teachers could have a resource that is time efficient, effective and could assist them to reach both their pastoral and academic goals.
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Pretorius, Chereen Ann. "Caregivers’ experiences of stress while caring for orphaned and vulnerable children in an institution." Diss., University of Pretoria, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/2263/40460.
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The context of working and living in a care institution is accepted as challenging for all concerned, yet there is a dearth of studies into the stress experiences of caregivers. This study investigated caregivers’ stress and coping in an institution where care was provided to children affected by HIV and AIDS. The study was informed by a qualitative and case study design within an interpretivist paradigm. In addition, it was guided by a theoretical framework derived from Folkman and Lazarus’ (1984) transactional model of stress and coping. A focus group discussion and individual interviews were utilised to gather data, and to clarify and probe responses on caregivers’ experiences of stress.
Thematic analysis of the data yielded the most significant themes and subthemes from caregivers’ subjective experiences and perceptions of the stress that they experienced in their daily work situation. The results of the study indicate that caregivers’ stress experiences need to be addressed if caregiving is to be provided effectively. This will require not only training and management support for caregivers in institutional context (e.g., to deal with challenges such as appropriate discipline for the children under care), but also personal support and counselling for caregivers in order to enable them to assess the signs of burnout and cope with stress effectively.Dissertation (MEd)--University of Pretoria, 2013.
gm2014
Educational Psychology
unrestricted
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Tshikongo, Aktofel Ndetshipanda. "To investigate factors preventing the care-givers from accessing the social grants and other benefits entitled to the orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) under their care." Thesis, Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/79963.
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Thesis (MPhil)-- Stellenbosch University, 2013.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: One of the consequences of HIV/AIDS is the large number of orphans and vulnerable children (OVC). Most OVC care givers in African communities are elders. The elders use their meagre pension hand out to support their OVC grandchildren. The Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Well Fare (MGECW) has responded to the financial burden of the OVC care-givers by issuing different social grants to the OVC. Due to preventing factors not all OVC are receiving these grants. The Namibian Government has formulated different policies protecting the rights of OVC. However, not all stakeholders are implementing these policies which lead to the OVC`s rights being compromised. This study was conducted in Omusati Region in Namibia to determine the factors that prevent some of the OVC care-givers from accessing the social grants and other benefits entitled to the OVC under their care. Data for this study have been obtained from four sources, using four different data collection methods. In depth interview have been used to collect data from twelve Community Childcare Workers (CCW) in the (MGECW) administering the OVC`s grants applications at twelve Constituencies. Some information was obtained using structured questionnaire from twenty four teachers dealing with OVC at twelve schools in twelve Constituencies. The officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs and Immigration (MHAI) have been engaged in focus group discussion to provide valuable information to this study. Literature has also been reviewed to shed more light on the subject under investigation. This study discovered that there are various impediments preventing the care-givers from obtain the OVC social grants. Lack of documents, transport costs and long distances coupled with cumbersome process of processing grants applications and issuing national documents are among the preventing factors. This project has been concluded with recommendations which if implemented will smoothen the process of grants accessibility.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Een van die gevolge van MIV/Vigs is die groot aantal weeskinders en kwesbare kinders (OVC). OVC sorg gewers in Afrika-gemeenskappe is die ouderlinge. Die oudstes gebruik hul karige pensioen hand uit hul OVC kleinkinders te ondersteun. Die Ministerie van Geslagsgelykheid en Kinderwelsyn Wel Fare (MGECW) het gereageer op die finansiële las van die OVC versorgers deur die uitreiking van verskillende maatskaplike toelaes aan die OVC. As gevolg van die voorkoming van faktore nie alle OVC hierdie toekennings ontvang. Die Namibiese regering het verskillende beleide wat die beskerming van die regte van die OVC geformuleer. Egter nie alle belanghebbendes die implementering van hierdie beleid wat lei tot die OVC se regte word gekompromitteer. Hierdie studie is uitgevoer in die Omusati-streek in Namibië om die faktore wat verhoed dat sommige van die OVC versorgers van toegang tot die maatskaplike toelaes en ander voordele geregtig op die OVC onder hul sorg te bepaal. Data vir hierdie studie is verkry uit vier bronne, deur gebruik te maak van vier verskillende data-insamelingsmetodes. In diepte onderhoud is gebruik om data van twaalf Gemeenskap Kindersorg Werkers (CCW) te versamel in die (MGECW) die administrasie van die OVC se toelaes aansoeke op twaalf Kiesafdelings. Sommige inligting is verkry met behulp van gestruktureerde vraelys uit 24 onderwysers die hantering van OVC by twaalf skole in twaalf Kiesafdelings. Die amptenare van die Ministerie van Binnelandse Sake en Immigrasie (MHAI) is besig met die fokusgroepbespreking om waardevolle inligting te verskaf aan hierdie studie. Literatuur is ook hersien om meer lig te werp op die onderwerp wat ondersoek word. Hierdie studie het ontdek dat daar verskeie struikelblokke wat verhoed dat die versorgers van die OVC maatskaplike toelaes te verkry. Gebrek van dokumente, vervoerkoste en lang afstande, tesame met 'n omslagtige proses van die verwerking van toelaes aansoeke en die uitreiking van nasionale dokumente is onder die voorkoming van faktore. Hierdie projek is afgesluit met aanbevelings wat, indien dit geïmplementeer word, die toegang to toelaes sal verbeter.
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Mhlungu, Angel Thandeka, T. E. Henna, and U. Kolanisi. "An after-math of HIV/AIDS on orphaned and vulnerable children (OVCs): experiences and well-being of Thalaneni OVCs, Nkandla in KwaZulu-Natal." Thesis, University of Zululand, 2017. http://hdl.handle.net/10530/1823.
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Submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements of the Masters in Social Work in the Department of Social Work at the University of Zululand, 2017.Parental loss has a devastating effect on the lives of the orphaned children as it brings about many changes and difficulties in different areas of a child’s life. The children face difficulties educationally, socially, financially and psychologically when they experience such loss. The impact of parental loss can be traced to many conducts or behavioural problems that children manifest later in life. The essence of the study was to explore the after-math that orphaned children face once the parents are deceased and what impact it has had on them in their continuation of life within the boundaries mentioned above (educationally, socially, financially, and psychologically). The significance of the study was to provide an improved understanding of the current state of the orphaned children in their new places of care post parental loss given the assistance that they receive from the government (monetary grants) and civil society including international donors to mend their situation. The researcher’s focus was on uncovering the re-arrangement of the orphan’s lifestyle holistically after a parental loss and how it has negatively affected them. To attain the research aim, a qualitative research method was employed and an exploratory research design was followed. Unstructured interviews were used to collect data having an interview schedule as a guide for question flow and for the purposes of employing neutral probing should the need arise. 10 participants, five females and five males were purposively selected to participate in the study. The participants were orphaned children who receive support from a local Community Based Organization (CBO) called Thembalethu, which is located in Thalaneni area. The data analysis of the study discovered that orphaned children do face different distresses after the death of their parents and effects are deeper. Educationally the children have been affected as they have had to relocate to the new places of care, leaving the schools they attended and adapt to the new school coupled with the loss that has been experienced. This has yielded in orphaned children’s poor academic performance in school. Socially the children have taken a strain as it was reported that the decision of who assumes care for them never lies with them and they end up in the care of a person whom they rarely knew. As many orphaned children are recipients of the social assistance in the form of foster care grant and child support grant, the decision about the use of their grant money has also lied with their caregivers and v ultimately benefited other people who are in the household due to the overwhelming number of people that need to be cared for. Psychosocial support has been seen to be the greatest need by the orphaned children as it was reported that they face psychosocial distresses due to not receiving thorough counselling regarding the loss that they have experienced. Other children have been compelled to move on with life without grieving properly for their parents and they have suffered the effects of lack of bereavement support. Upon the realization of these challenges, the researcher, therefore, recommended that close supervision of the cases of foster care be implemented by social service practitioners in the government and non-governmental sector in order to follow-up and make progress with placements and be kept abreast of these challenges. Parenting skills are also seen to be needed by the relatives that assume care for the orphaned children so as to improve the standard of living amongst the orphaned children and the new caregiver.
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Tamasane, Tsillso. "Welfare policy and the family in post-apartheid South Africa: Care for orphans and vulnerable children in the context of HIV/AIDS and widespread poverty in Kopanong Municipality, Free State." Doctoral thesis, University of Cape Town, 2009. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/3849.
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Despite the lack of evidence, a huge body of literature continues to suggest that there is a crisis of care for children who are orphaned by AIDS. Based on a study of Kopanong Municipality in Free State, this study investigated extended family care for orphans and other vulnerable children in the context of ubiquitous poverty and the high prevalence of HIV/AIDS. It asked whether the application of current welfare policies recognises or facilitates extended family care for orphans. The care for orphans has been conceptualised in terms of the lack of adequate number of members of extended family who would provide care for orphans and the quality of care which orphans receive from their carers. To address questions of care for orphans and implications for welfare policies, this study employed both quantitative and qualitative research techniques to gather information on the prevalence of orphans, their living conditions, and types of care and support available, available welfare services and access thereto.
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Wisken, Kimberley. "A review of community-based programmes for children orphaned and made vulnerable by AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa." Thesis, McGill University, 2011. http://digitool.Library.McGill.CA:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=97225.
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Community-based programmes are a popular approach to providing care and support to AIDS orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) as they are able to operate on a large scale and are informed by locally-appropriate responses. Using strength based and anti-oppressive theories of social work practice, this study aims to review community-based programmes for OVC in sub-Saharan Africa and explore the experiences of the targeted children and the communities in which they reside. A systematic review of literature was completed to ascertain 39 evaluations representing 29 different externally funded community-based programmes. The findings and analysis consider the strengths and limitations of local approaches, participation of local community members and the relationship between the North and South in regards to collaborative partnerships through the concepts of capacity building, ownership and power. Implications for policy, practice and theory, as well as limitations and opportunities for future research, are outlined.Les programmes communautaires sont une approche populaire pour fournir des soins et du soutien aux orphelins du SIDA et aux orphelins et enfants vulnérables (OEV) car ils sont en mesure de fournir un service à grande échelle et ils sont informés par des réponses appropriées au niveau local En utilisant les capacités et les théories anti-oppressives de la pratique du travail social, cette étude vise à explorer la question, "Quel est l'effet des programmes communautaires pour les orphelins du SIDA et des OEV en Afrique sub-saharienne sur les enfants ciblés et les communautés dans lesquelles ils résident?" Une revue systématique de la littérature a été effectuée pour déterminer 39 évaluations représentant 29 différents programmes communautaires avec les financés par l'extérieur. Les résultats et l'analyse considèrent les points forts et les limites des approches locales, la participation des membres de la communauté locale et les relations entre le Nord et le Sud en ce qui concerne les partenariats de collaboration à travers les concepts de formation des capacités, la propriété et le pouvoir. Implications pour la politique, pratique et théorie, ainsi que les limites et les possibilités pour de futures recherches, sont présentées.
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Wentzel, Andrew. "Teachers' understanding of the roles required to respond meaningfully to HIV and AIDS challenges in primary schools in the Western Cape." Thesis, University of the Western Cape, 2011. http://etd.uwc.ac.za/index.php?module=etd&action=viewtitle&id=gen8Srv25Nme4_6099_1304658404.
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This research proceeds via a mixed methods paradigm using both qualitative and quantitative methods in a case study research design. A conceptual framework of mutually interacting variables influencing each other and impacting on and defining the roles teachers have to execute to deal effectively with HIV and AIDS challenges, is provided to facilitate the research process. This conceptual framework in conjunction with a theoretical framework which includes critical constructivist theory and the pedagogical models of Delors and Bronfenbrenner, guide the course of this study. The main recommendation of this study was that formal focused training should be given to teachers. This formal training should emphasise the role of the teacher as counselor, the teacher as an anti-stigma, anti-discrimination and anti-prejudice agent, a HIV-aware, HIV-competent and HIV-safe teacher and pastoral carer having the competence to deal with the practical issues around HIV and AIDS.
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Baron, Andreas. "Perceptions of resilience by caregivers of children in a residential care facility." Diss., University of Pretoria, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/2263/43140.
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This study, aimed at analysing the methods used by caregivers to construct their own
resilience at a residential care facility for orphaned and vulnerable children, forms part of a
larger study investigating the role of emotional awareness in caregivers. Convenience
selection was used for the research site on account of accessibility, and purposive selection for
the participants owing to their role as caregivers at the care facility. The qualitative case study
method facilitated contextual investigation of the matter at hand. Data were collected by
means of a focus group discussion with seven participants, individual interviews with four
participants, and the researcher’s informal observations in order to elucidate the main research
question: How do formal caregivers of orphaned and vulnerable children construct their own
resilience? Kumpfer’s Resilience Framework served as the theoretical foundation for the
study. Thematic analysis of the data yielded the following themes: demonstrating resilience
when functioning within an unsupportive environment; demonstrating resilience when
establishing a sense of control; demonstrating resilience through belief; and resilience born
out of identity as a caregiver. Results were related to existing literature and the theoretical
framework. Furthermore, a conceptual framework for the South African context is suggested.Dissertation (MEd)--University of Pretoria, 2013.
lk2014
Educational Psychology
MEd
Unrestricted
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Bester, Narina. "The role of Hospice T.L.C. caregivers in child and family care in the Kokstad area / N. Bester." Thesis, North-West University, 2009. http://hdl.handle.net/10394/4148.
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Section A: Article 1.Due to the increasing number of people being infected with or affected by HIV or AIDS, the need for home-based care services has increased. The psycho-social needs of families have also increased due to HIV infection resulting in a need for more extensive service rendering by relevant service providers. By exploring the role of Hospice T.L.C. caregivers in meeting these needs, recommendations could be made for service rendering to families infected with or affected by HIV or AIDS. Main focus areas for service rendering to these families were identified.Section B, Article 1: In Kokstad, Kwazulu-Natal Hospice caregivers have been rendering services to families infected with and affected by HIV and AIDS. The role of these caregivers was explored by means of a qualitative study making use of focus groups. The focus of this article is the role that Hospice caregivers fulfil in meeting the needs of these families. Through their training and knowledge they obtain access to families infected with and affected by HIV and AIDS. From the study, certain recommendations could be made that could improve future service rendering, and assist the caregivers in meeting the needs of their patients more effectively.
Section B, Article 2: Literature indicates that people are widely affected by the presence of HIV or AIDS in their lives. The effects are of a physical, psychological, as well as a social nature. This has several implications for the affected families. In this study the bio-psychosocial needs, as identified by families themselves, receive attention. This qualitative study was conducted with the help of caregivers of Hospice T.L.C. operating in the Kokstad area, Kwazulu-Natal and involved home visits to affected families where an interview schedule guided the process of data collection. Material needs, as well as a need for emotional support were the most prevalent. The relationship between the caregivers and affected families are very positive, allowing an open door for further service rendering.
Section B, Article 3: Hospice T.L.C. is a non-profit organization (NPO) operating since 2006. They are rendering holistic, palliative and frail care services to ail patients in the Kokstad area, southern. KwaZulu-Natal. This qualitative study was aimed at exploring the extent of involvement of welfare organisations in meeting the bio-psychosocial needs of families infected with and affected by HIV or AIDS. This article deals with the stakeholders rendering services to these families and possible ways in which service rendering could be improved. Data was obtained during a focus group session with the caregivers and their supervisor. Interviews were conducted with members of the relevant resources that could meet the bio-psychosocial needs of families infected with or affected by HIV and AIDS.
Thesis (M.A. (MW))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2010.
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Mohangi, Kamleshie. "Finding roses amongst thorns : how institutionalised children negotiate pathways to well-being while affected by HIV&AIDS." Thesis, Pretoria : [s.n.], 2008. http://upetd.up.ac.za/thesis/available/etd-04272009-094758.
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Jere, Catherine Marion. "Addressing educational access and retention of orphaned and vulnerable children in high HIV prevalence communities in rural Malawi : a flexible approach to learning." Thesis, University College London (University of London), 2014. http://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/10021700/.
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In Malawi, where a policy of Free Primary Education has been in place for more than fifteen years, relatively few children have never attended school. However, despite high initial enrolments, primary education in Malawi is inefficient, with high dropout and low completion rates. Against a context of underlying poverty, research suggests that many of the children in Malawi denied adequate access to education are those orphaned or made vulnerable by HIV/AIDS. Evidence from Malawi and neighbouring countries indicates that not enough is being done in schools to support vulnerable children in the context of HIV/AIDS and that a powerful argument can be made for new, more flexible models of formal schooling that reach out to young people who face educational exclusion. This doctoral study was part of a wider, three-year collaborative research project working in high HIV prevalence countries to address issues of educational access. It used a sequential, mixed methods design to examine the extent to which a more flexible model of formal schooling that integrates open and distance learning (ODL) strategies with face-to-face teaching and psychosocial support can improve educational access and retention of orphaned and other vulnerable children in rural Malawi. This study identifies and explores household, school and peer-related factors that influence the access and retention of children affected by HIV/AIDS, and confirm the very limited support provided by primary schools. These findings were used to contextualise and inform the development of a school-based intervention to implement a flexible model of schooling; thereafter trialed in 20 sampled schools in two selected districts in Malawi. This doctoral study demonstrates the potential of flexible learning to enhance learning experiences, bring psychosocial benefits and help improve retention of vulnerable pupils in primary schools in high HIV prevalence communities in rural Malawi, with important, positive spill-over effects to pupils at risk of dropout. It also argues that effective innovation requires strategies to create an enabling environment and promote an inclusive philosophy within schools. Further insights were drawn from the perspectives of actors on the benefits, shortfalls and outcomes of the intervention, as well as the successes and challenges of the implementation process. A synthesis and discussion of the empirical findings in relation to the wider literature explores the possibilities for introducing more flexible modes of educational delivery and support within formal schooling.
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Kojoue, Kamga Larissa. "Enfants et VIH/sida au Cameroun : construction et implications de l’agenda politique." Thesis, Bordeaux 4, 2013. http://www.theses.fr/2013BOR40044/document.
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Cette étude cherche à saisir les articulations entre les politiques de santé publique et les processus de changement politique au Cameroun, à partir d’une analyse centrée sur l’action publique de lutte contre le VIH/sida.La manière dont un problème parvient à l’Etat est révélatrice des rapports que cet Etat entretient avec sa société. Dans le cadre de la lutte contre le VIH/sida au Cameroun, l’émergence et la multiplication de nouveaux acteurs n’ont pas réussi à rendre plus participatifs les choix des priorités gouvernementales. C’est ce que révèlent les politiques de prise en charge et de soutien aux enfants de moins de 15 ans rendus vulnérables du fait du VIH/sida. Les conditions et les modalités par lesquels l’ordre politique établi s’est saisi de cette question montrent la portée limitée des dynamiques locales qui animent la lutte contre le VIH/sida sur les reconfigurations autoritaires du pouvoir politique. Bien qu’elle ne fasse pas l’objet de « controverse » ou de « scandale », la mise à l’agenda de la question de la prise en charge des enfants confrontés au VIH et au sida constitue un terrain propice pour comprendre les mutations politiques de la société camerounaise à l’heure de la globalisation des normes et des pratiques de santéThis research seeks to analyze the links between shaping public health policies and the influence of political dynamics in Cameroon, with a particular focus on how these dynamics affect the country’s public health agenda of HIV/AIDS prevention. The ways in which a State takes action to address a national issue can be revealing of the type of relationship between that State and its population. In Cameroon, despite the emergence of new strategies and the increasing role of key actors engaged in the fight against HIV/AIDS, the government has failed to make the policy-making process of public health an inclusive process This is well illustrated by the national policies to address the health needs of vulnerable children and youth under the age of 15. The terms and conditions under which these policies were elected illustrate how the residues of a once authoritarian political system still impact decision-making processes at both local and national levels. Although they are not subject to "controversy" or "scandal", the issues of support to children facing AIDS is a fertile ground to understand political changes in the Cameroonian society at the time of globalization of standards and health practices