Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Orphans – Institutional care'

Thesis (MEdPsych (Educational Psychology)--Stellenbosch University, 2008.
The study investigated the effect of using projective narratives and drawings that depict diminished fear, on the anxiety levels of a group of children living in children’s homes, by means of a mixed methodology. The sample consisted of 30 middle childhood children (mean age = 9.60 years, SD = 1.13) from three children’s homes in the Western Cape. Drawings were used to elicit content of fear or anxiety (anxiety evoking drawing/bangmaaktekening) and proposed coping (anxiety lessening drawing/bangwegvattekening). After completing the anxiety provoking drawing, participants in the experimental group were asked to tell a story to other children with a similar fear to lessen/take that fear away (projective narrative). The Spence Childhood Anxiety Scale (SCAS) was completed after each drawing, and drawings evaluated through the use of anxiety scales, to measure changes in anxiety levels according to the concept of triangulation. The categories ghosts, snakes, and people were found to be the most prevalent content of fear from anxiety provoking drawings, and undifferentiated fears were also common within this population. Control of anxiety from anxiety lessening drawings indicated a definite prevalence of emotion focused (secondary) coping strategies, specifically religious solace. The content of projective narratives echoed this finding, although proposed solutions were more differentiated. Ownership of projections also occurred. The experimental effect was not significant, although mean anxiety levels were considerably lower in the drawings in comparison with that of the SCAS. Drawings are thus seen as an effective, nonthreatening technique to study anxiety phenomena. A comparison of the mean item scores of the SCAS subscales indicated that symptoms of separation anxiety, generalised anxiety disorder, and obsessivecompulsive anxiety disorder were prevalent among this group of children in children’s homes. A clear distinction was found between markers of state- and trait-anxiety through the qualitative analysis of the drawings, with anxiety lessening drawings showing definite diminished state-anxiety, although more established markers of trait-anxiety did not necessarily change. There are also indications that transference of activated negative emotional stimuli occurred on an unconscious level between the two drawings. Introducing the combination of projective narratives in the intervention stage of the study appeared to facilitate learning or the experience of observed positive affect in anxiety lessened drawings. Future research would benefit from including a normative group to establish more clear markers of state- and trait-anxiety in drawings, and by the use of a bigger sample to investigate factor loadings of the SCAS among children in children’s homes. The high prevalence of anxiety symptoms in this population emphasises their status as a vulnerable population, and the need for possible group intervention – specifically the psycho-education of effective coping strategies for anxiety.

In Mexico there are officially 1.8 million orphaned children, without counting non-orphaned children deprived of family, who also need care; of these, only 657,000 are living in 703 orphanages. Mexico's government invests less than 2% of its budget toward protection of children. There is a lack of substantive research or official assessment of orphanages. According to the scant research found, the children's human rights most frequently violated in Mexican orphanages are the rights to nutrition and health care, to be protected from further victimization, to free expression and participation, and to not be exploited. This study was carried out through in-depth, semi-structured interviews with the manager and five staff members of a respected orphanage in Mexico. It aimed to determine how they attempt to fulfill the aforementioned rights, and how their work relates to six prerequisites for efficient group-care formulated by Wolins after his vast research on the matter. Results indicate that the staff members of this orphanage view their work as spirituality in action, becoming the children's family, caring for their health through special vegetarian nutrition. They teach the children that they are the masters of their own lives and happiness, and not to see themselves as victims. From results I also suggest well supervised facilities, coupling between staff and professionals to screen children's health; a vegetarian diet based on scientific research; children's participation in rules, learning about, from and for their human rights and the idea of children being masters of their life and happiness.

Thesis (M Social Work (Social Work))--Stellenbosch University, 2008.
The purpose of this study is to develop a theoretical framework for social workers in children’s homes that may be used for play techniques during social casework intervention with a children’s home child. The influence that the placement in a children’s home has on the child, creates the context for this study. Specific behaviour- and emotional problems that exist within the child were identified and play techniques for the solving of these problems was described. The research was done based on an extensive literature study, which focused on the role and function of a children’s home, the needs, behaviour- and emotional problems of the children’s home child and the usage of a practice framework and play techniques by social workers. A combined qualitative and quantitative research method and an explorative and describing research design have been used in this study, since this combination resulted in reaching the goal of the study. The empirical research investigated the usage of play techniques by social workers during social casework intervention with a children’s home child. The overall sample consisted of the 23 children’s homes in the Cape Metropole where currently 31 social workers are employed. Semistructured questionnaires were used as an interview instrument with an availability test sample consisting of 18 social workers. In light of the findings derived from the literature study and empirical research, appropriate conclusions and related recommendations were made. The main conclusion of the study is that the participants use play techniques randomly and not in conjunction with a practice framework. The main recommendation of this study is that social workers should use play techniques during social casework intervention, based on a specific practice framework in order to assure responsiveness. Continuous education in this regard is the responsibility of each social worker working in a children’s home.

Thesis (M.C.P.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Urban Studies and Planning, 2002.
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 67-69).
This thesis is about expanding the "first line of defense" for children and families affected by AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa. The overwhelming consensus among actors leading the fight against AIDS, ranging from USAID and UNICEF to local NGOs, is that extended families and communities are the "first line of defense" and will absorb the millions of children orphaned by AIDS. With this basic premise, the thinking follows that 1) families are almost always the best place for the child; 2) primary interventions should be centered on building the capacities of families to care for orphans and; 3) residential orphan care is the least desirable option for children because "orphan care institutions" are inherently "anti-community". I challenge this prevailing wisdom. I argue that this donor-driven approach, loosely termed "community based orphan care", is limited by, among other things, AIDS induced pressures on families and growing numbers of children disconnected from families (e.g. street children). Additionally, the approach imposes a false dichotomy between "the community" and "orphan care institutions". Drawing from case studies of three residential institutions caring for orphans and street children in Zambia, I deconstruct the common perceptions of orphan-care institutions. In particular, I challenge the characterization that they are isolated and disconnected from communities. My findings reveal a more complicated picture in which a subset of orphan care institutions share objectives and practices with the prevailing donor model of community-based orphan care - such as mobilizing local volunteers to care for orphans. I describe this neglected subset as "community-centered orphan care institutions" and explore the various ways in which they are embedded in and support communities. I assert that as the AIDS epidemic expands and the orphan crisis worsens, community-centered orphan care institutions must serve as key actors in expanding the first line of defense.
by Diana Aubourg.
M.C.P.

This concurrent nested mixed methods study assessed institutional caregivers’ perception on their role as caregivers and caregivers’ attachment orientation in Kenya. Additionally, the study looked for a connection between attachment and perception. Participants were 15 female caregivers, 8 from a government institution and 7 from a nongovernment institution. Data from a semi-structured interview indicated that caregivers, regardless of attachment, were emotionally invested in the children’s wellbeing, felt a sense of duty, and stated their job was challenging but rewarding. ECR-R assessed attachment and found that attachment varied slightly between institutions. The most significant difference was between institutions with 4 secure caregivers in the nongovernment institution and only 1 secure caregiver in the government institution. A slight relationship between attachment and perception was found as all secure caregivers indicated they believed both physical and emotional needs of children were essential. Results indicate additional cultural studies on attachment and perception are warranted.

Doctor of Philosophy
This thesis is concerned with an examination and re-assessment of the establishment, operation and management of the Female and Male Orphan Schools, in the first half of the nineteenth century in New South Wales. The chaplains and governors in the early penal settlement were faced with a dilemma, as they beheld the number of children who were ‘orphaned’, neglected, abandoned and destitute. In order to understand the reasons why these children were in necessitous circumstances, the thesis seeks to examine the situations of the convict women, who were the mothers of these children. Governors Philip Gidley King and Lachlan Macquarie respectively in 1801 and 1819 established the Schools, which provided elementary education, training and residential care within a religious setting. Researching the motives underlying the actions of these men has been an important part of the thesis. An examination of the social backgrounds of some of the children admitted to these Schools has been undertaken, in order to provide a greater understanding of the conditions under which the children were living prior to their admissions. Information about family situations, and the social problems encountered by parents that led them to place their children in the Schools, have been explored. The avenues open to the girls and boys when they left the Schools, has formed part of the study. Some children were able to be reunited with family members, but the majority of them were apprenticed. A study of the nature of these apprenticeships, has led to a greater understanding of employment opportunities for girls and boys at that time. In 1850 the Schools were amalgamated into the Protestant Orphan School at Parramatta. By examining the governance and operation of the Schools during their last two decades as separate entities, we have more knowledge about and understanding of these two colonial institutions. It is the conclusion of this thesis that some of the harsher judgements of revisionist social historians need to be modified. It was the perception that more social disorder would occur if action was not taken to ‘rescue’ the ‘orphaned’ children, usually of convict parentage. However genuine charity, philanthropy and concern was displayed for the children in grave physical and moral danger. The goals of the founders were not always reached in the Orphan Schools, nevertheless they performed an invaluable service in the lives of many children.

L’enfant séropositif est récemment devenu un enjeu majeur des politiques de santé, qui articulent des acteurs aussi divers que l’Etat, les agences internationales, les ONG et les congrégations religieuses, et dont les desseins pour ces enfants sont l’objet de luttes de pouvoir, culturels, économiques et religieux.A travers une ethnographie d’une structure catholique d’accueil des sidéens située à Pondichéry, dans le sud de l’Inde, cette thèse a pour objectif d’examiner comment s’articulent au quotidien ces enjeux autour de la prise en charge et de la circulation de ces enfants, souvent orphelins, pauvres et de basse caste. Comment les constructions conflictuelles des images du sidéen prennent corps dans le quotidien des enfants et de leur circulation ? Comment ces enfants parviennent-ils à réinterpréter, à défier, à s’extirper des projets imposés dans un contexte structuré par l’issue, à la fois incertaine et indépassable, du VIH ?Une alliance inédite de Frères missionnaires occidentaux, principalement français, avec des Sœurs indiennes a donné naissance à un ashram catholique accueillant les sidéens et plaçant les enfants au cœur de projets éducatifs, médicaux et religieux divergents. Alors que la seconde intègre les enfants séropositifs au panthéon de la compassion aux côtés de la veuve et l’orphelin, la première recherche la conversion par l’éducation religieuse.Ces deux projets pour l’enfant séropositif cohabitent avec les enjeux multiples qui se nouent entre acteurs divers et les familles autour de l’encadrement des enfants. L’enfant séropositif, devenu l’étendard des valeurs propres aux différents acteurs, circule entre familles, institutions d’accueil et systèmes de santé, négocie des langues, des rapports à la maladie, aux soins, à l’éducation et à la religion dont les échelles locales, régionales, nationales et transnationales ne cessent de se croiser
The HIV positive child has recently become a major stake in health policies. The cultural, economic and religious projects and goals for those children are at the heart of struggles between actors as diverse as State, international agencies, NGO and religious organizations. Through the ethnography of a catholic ashram for HIV children located in Pondicherry, Tamil Nadu, South India, this thesis examines the everyday struggles for the care and circulation of aids orphan, poor and from low castes. How does the making of the representation of HIV orphans take place in the everyday life of children and their circulation? How those children manage to re interpret, defy and cope with projects in a context shaped by the uncertain but inescapable fate of HIV?An alliance between western missionaries Brothers, mainly French, with Indian Sisters has given rise to a catholic ashram taking care of HIV people, with children at the centre of their educative, medical and religious projects. The second integrates HIV children into the compassionate pantheon besides the widow and the orphan, while the first aims to convert through religious education.Those two projects co exist with the multiples stakes that frame the care and the circulation of those children. The HIV orphans - the new flagship of actors involved in HIV domain - circulate between families, care centers and health structures and negotiate languages, conceptions of diseases, health care, education and religion, which intersect between local, regional and transnational scales

The number of orphans in South Africa is reaching crisis levels. This is a cause for concern. Most of the deaths seem to be due to the HIV/AIDs pandemic. Children left orphaned have to develop coping strategies. The focus of this study is on the perceptions the orphaned children have of their lives, the attributions they make for events, and the ways they cope. Most importantly, the study is interested in how they cope with loss and then recreate meaning and purpose. To assist these children, it is important to understand their feelings and thoughts after loss, and how they manage to adapt to new environments. This is only possible by giving the children voice and to see life through their eyes. A sample of ten orphans was randomly selected from a list of schools and learners provided by the Department of Education. Adolescents were chosen because they are generally more articulate than younger children, about their emotions and experiences. Five orphans from an informal settlement orphanage in Inanda, and five from a secondary school in the same area were interviewed. A semi-structured interview schedule and diaries were used to collect data from the children. Discourse Analysis was the method used to construct meaning of the material generated. Because the interviews were conducted in the first language of the children, translation into English was necessary. The Appendices provide sample transcripts. Some of the findings of the study were surprising. For example, it was evident that several of the children preferred living in an orphanage to being with relatives, who had, in some instances, offered to foster them. Abuse, alcohol misuse and marginalisation were cited as reasons. The assumption of the researcher had been that family would always be the better option. It was also found that the informal fostering of orphaned children from extended families meant that government grants were not forthcoming. Financial stresses and strains frequently resulted in the maltreatment of fostered children. Poverty and crime in the informal settlement studied seem to bring added burden to children already traumatised by death and the forced moving of home. Another feature that was significant, is the number of fathers who were "absent" when fostering became necessary for the children. Either through force of circumstances or choice, fathers who were still living frequently did not play a part in their children's lives. The recommendations of the study focus on rectifying the anomalies just outlined. Schools, in particular, need to recognise their role in alleviating the daily plight of orphaned children. Academic achievement often redeems a life that is tenuous and painful because it creates the possibility of something better in the future. Through effort the children can take greater charge of their lives.
Thesis (M.Ed.) - University of Durban-Westville, 2003.

M.A. (Social Work)
The purpose of this study was to provide a parent education course specially tailored to the needs of the houseparent in a childrens home. The course is intended for utilization as part of the normal in-service training programmes of resident staff. Existing materials from a large number of sources were assembled and reintegrated into a course suitable for this purpose. The focal point of the course is improvement of the relationship between houseparent and child with a view to enabling the child to utilize opportunities for growth towards a positive self-concept, responsibility, self-reliance and self-confidence. The subjects covered in the course are as follows: motivation for in-service training of resident staff knowledge of the self and self-awareness statutory procedures which precede placement in a childrens home maternal deprivation and its effect on the child in residential care developmental theory a theory of behaviour and misbehaviour factors in the family situation.

In the wake of the HIV/AIDS pandemic, welfare organisations in Vryheid situated in northern KwaZulu-Natal have noted dramatic increases in requests for foster care placements for orphaned children. In many instances, orphans have lived by private arrangement with extended families for several years. However, families are increasingly overwhelmed with the burden of overextending scarce resources, forcing them to seek welfare assistance. Community-based responses to the crisis are regarded as top priority. This study examines literature regarding child care alternatives for orphans, focussing on foster care as the primary option. A study was conducted which explored community perceptions towards the local orphan crisis and foster care in particular. Findings revealed that although the adage 'Blood is thicker than water' still applies, foster care cannot stand alone. Alternate forms of care-giving need to be found to avoid plunging orphan care into further crisis.
Social work
M.A.(Social Science (Mental Health))

The purpose of the research was to use life mapping during the intervention period in order to enhance the self-knowledge of the children in their mid-childhood years, in a children’s home. In order to reach this goal, the life mapping- and the gestalt play- therapeutic processes had been combined with, art and creativity included in the process. The study is quantitative and a standardised measuring instrument had been used for the pre-test and posttest, according to the single-system design. The hypothesis was tested by way of statistical analysis, by comparing data obtained from the pre-test and posttest. The child in a children’s home does not always know who he/she is. Because of possible trauma experienced before admission to the children’s home, self-knowledge could not be developed from within or from input obtained out of the social environment. Sometimes, a child in a children’s home, does not know why he/she was admitted. It is necessary for the child to know where he/she came from, where he/she is at present and where is he/she is going. The framework of life mapping integrates these concepts. By compiling a life map, a child obtains self-knowledge. When he/she had formed a perception of who and what he/she is and what he/she wants to achieve, the child can start working on self-fulfillment. With self-knowledge and a good perception of his/her life, the child develops a self concept, which usually contains an element of self-evaluation. The child can start leading an own life, make own choices, take responsibility for his/her own life and becomes independent, notwithstanding the circumstances of origin. The purpose is to bring back balance and a sense of self into the life of the child, which are also the purposes emphasised by both life mapping and gestalt play therapy. The literature study includes both the behaviour and emotions of the child in a children’s home. The influence on the life of the child had been investigated. Objective one was to build on the knowledge base on life mapping and gestalt play therapy processes. The processes were compared and integrated in this study. Life mapping as a concept, is known since the early 20th century, but was not applied in therapy, often. The developmental phase of a child in mid-childhood, in a children’s home had been studied. The developmental tasks in the mid-childhood are varied and is a progression of tasks from the previous phases. The synthesis, according to Erikson, during this phase, is capability. Industry versus inferiority could be seen as the “crisis” of this developmental phase. The child starts having the concept of the true self, versus the ideal self and he/she compares him/herself with others. Objective two was intervention by way of life mapping, together with the gestalt principles. This proved to have been very successful with observing the research results. Aspects of the whole life of every respondent had been included into the life maps. The fact that the life had been looked at in totality is in accordance with the gestalt concept of gestalt therapy. The respondents started owning their own personality traits and began to experiencing their uniqueness. It was thus enhancement of self-knowledge that took place. All the objectives of the study had been reached. The study resulted in an 80 percent significant change in the average self-knowledge of the respondents.
Dissertation (MSD Play Therapy(Social Work))--University of Pretoria, 2007.
Social Work and Criminology
unrestricted

MCur
Department of Advanced Nursing Science
The path of children heading families following the death of both parents takes many twists and turns, and a lot of support to face the challenging environment is needed. The path is not easy as compared to children with parents in terms of support and guidance. The purpose of the study was to determine the experiences of children heading families at Makhado municipality of Limpopo Province, South Africa. The objective of this study is to explore and describe the experiences of children heading families. Qualitative research approach with explorative, descriptive, contextual, interpretative phenomenological designs were used. Population of the study comprised of children heading families following the death of both parents, residing at Makhado municipality in Vhembe district of Limpopo Province, South Africa. Non-probability purposive sampling was used to select the participants. The sample size of 20 participants was determined by data saturation. Data was transcribed verbatim and translated from Tshivenda to English language. Tesch’s eight steps criteria was used to analyse data. The results of the study revealed that children heading families following the death of both parent’s experience various challenges and ineffective support from different community structures. The researcher ensured trustworthiness and ethical consideration were considered throughout the study. Recommendations were developed based on the findings of the study. Keywords: Child, Child headed families, Experience, Family, Parent
NRF

M.A. (Social Work)
The lack of relevant therapeutic programmes suitable for pre-school children staying in children's homes became apparent whilst the researcher was working in children's homes, as well as during discussions with colleagues. The inability of the pre-school child to converse fluently leads to a continuous search for quality interventions. In an attempt to resolve this need, two therapeutic programmes namely Viola Brody (1975) Developmental Touch Therapy Programme as well as a developmental group work programme developed by the researcher are implemented in a children's home. An exploratory, evaluating study, with two groups of four pre-school children each, are conducted in a children's home. An adapted experimental design is used to compare the results of the two groups. The children's behaviour are monitored and reported on in case studies. A singlesystem design is used to arrange the data, compare the two groups with each other and to monitor individual behaviour changes. The study is an exploratory probe into the viability / workableness and effectiveness of the two interventions with pre-school children in a children's home. The objective is to establish whether the programmes can be implemented in a children's homes and whether it will lead to a change in the general functioning of the children involved. The study concluded that both programmes is viable / workable. In addition, the Developmental Touch Therapy programme prove effective in the development of self concept as well as improving their general functionality, especially in developing positive behaviour. The developmental group work programme is marginal successful in respect of developing positive behaviour but unsuccessful in developing self concept.

This study explores both formal and informal arrangements for care of orphans in the Maseru district of Lesotho. The study adopted a qualitative approach using both in-depth interviews and documentary research as the primary methods of data collection. The research findings show that care of orphans in Lesotho is predominantly in the hands of non-governmental and church based organisations. The government’s role is limited to the provision of technical support, including the formulation of policies and laws and some welfare grant provision in the form of free primary education. Care of orphans in the communities is undertaken not only by the extended family members of orphans, but also non-relation community members. It is clear however that while such informal arrangements might provide care and protection to orphan, many are struggling in the face of extreme hardship and poverty. A crisis of social reproduction is therefore increasingly apparent in Lesotho.

D. Tech. Education
The HIV/AIDS pandemic is one of the greatest humanitarian and development challenges ever faced by the global community. It is alarmingly estimated that by 2015 more than 30 per cent of all children younger than 15 years of age will have lost their mothers to HIV. This means that, by 2015, a total of 5.7 million children in South Africa will have lost one or both parents to AIDS. Research has shown that children orphaned by the pandemic - if not cared for - are likely to engage in alternative actions that pose a risk to themselves and society. This implies that it becomes critical to raise orphaned and vulnerable children well to ensure that we don't have a society filled with people who pose a danger to themselves and others. The study is based on systems theory which unravels the multilayers of the government system to bring to bear the challenges regarding care-giving and education experienced at the level of national, provincial and local government. The purpose of the study was to investigate the care-giving process and education of orphaned and vulnerable children.

Orphans from child care institutions and from extended families attend the same schools as non-orphans. They are often given the same psycho-social support yet it is clear that they have different psycho-social needs. Their backgrounds are usually different from those of other adolescent learners because, often, they would have observed or nursed sick parents who eventually died from AIDS-related illnesses. This qualitative study aimed at investigating the psycho-social needs of orphaned adolescent learners in child care institutions and those in extended families in the context of HIV and AIDS. The study further sought to find out how the psycho-social needs affected the HIV- and AIDS-affected orphans’ school performance and social behaviour. In-depth interviews were conducted with four orphaned learners from child care institutions and four from extended families using open-ended questions. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. Findings of the study were that the psycho-social needs of AIDS-affected orphans in families were met by relatives more than those of AIDS-affected orphans in child care institutions. The results of the study also revealed that there was not much difference in school performance between HIV- and AIDS-affected orphans from extended families and those from child care institutions. Thus this study contributes to Sociological and Behavioural literature in the area of HIV and AIDS as well as the education literature of the vulnerable groups like orphans. The school offered psycho-social support en masse with no special programme for orphans affected by HIV and AIDS for fear of stigmatising the orphans.
Health Studies
M.A. (Social Behaviour Studies in HIV/AIDS)