South Africa has been affected both economically and socially by HIV/AIDS. The South African government has put policies in place to support people infected and affected by HIV/AIDS and to ensure that they are not discriminated against. Many children have lost either one or both parents to this pandemic. The purpose of this research study was to explore community-based care for HIV/AIDS orphans. The research question for the study was: “What are the key components of community-based care for HIV/AIDS orphans?” The objectives for this study were as follows: -- To conceptualise community-based care for HIV/AIDS orphans. -- To determine the directions and limitations with regard to community-based care within the current policy framework for caring for children infected and affected by HIV/AIDS. -- To identify the components of Heartbeat’s model for community participation for community-based care of HIV/AIDS orphans. -- To determine the key components for effective community-based care in the care of HIV/AIDS orphans, to serve as guidelines for a sustainable community-based care model for these children. This was an exploratory study. The researcher made use of a case study, which is a type of a qualitative research strategy. Twenty HIV/AIDS orphans, six caregivers and one volunteer were interviewed and a semi-structured interview schedule was used to gather data. Some of the key findings for this study were the significance of community participation, care and support in the placement of HIV/AIDS orphans which guided the key components for sustainable community-based care for HIV/AIDS orphans. The study identified specific challenges in getting communities to participate in the care and support of HIV/AIDS orphans. The study made the following recommendations based on the research findings: -- The revision of policies and guidelines addressing children infected and affected by HIV/AIDS. -- The drafting and implementation of monitoring and evaluation mechanisms for community-based care for HIV/AIDS orphans. -- The Government’s involvement in pledging more resources for HIV/AIDS orphans. / Dissertation (MSD (Social Development and Policy))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Social Work and Criminology / unrestricted

This study explores the multiple ways in which Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) functioned through concrete biomedical institutions, namely, the Centres for Disease Control (CDC), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the World Health Organization (WHO). AIDS is viewed as a product of the full range of institutional practices in which it became embedded and in which it was set within the boundaries of Louis Pasteur's germ theory of disease (see the Preface section). This biomedical model of disease was materialized through journalistic practices and sold as news. Within these operative terms can be understood another analytical strategy that also designates the main domain of my study of this contemporary social form: I argue in this thesis that knowledge about AIDS was by no means dependent solely on the objective, scientifically determined, "received narrative" of biomedicine; what is today known as AIDS is also a product of a wide range of social practices produced and reproduced over time and space. AIDS is also an outcome of the resolutions, judgements and decisions that working journalists made over time in terms of what they generated or covered as news; the disease is also product of a large assortment of representational mirrors that I call `authentic voices', to take as good examples, the "narrative of moral protest", the narrative of a "homosexual disease", the narrative of a "heterosexual disease," and the narrative of a "modern-day Black Death" (plague). The story of AIDS in the media can also be seen to be defined by the proliferation of these authentic voices. From this reading, the distinctive trait of AIDS in the media lies in the fact that it is a constructed object, a disease framed through a specific structure of meanings. When we look at these structure of meanings we find that their moral and cultural assumptions and stereotypical connotations embody certain aspects of the organism of the society within which they were created and nourished over a much longer history. / Sociology / D.Litt. et Phil. (Sociology)

This study explores the multiple ways in which Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) functioned through concrete biomedical institutions, namely, the Centres for Disease Control (CDC), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the World Health Organization (WHO). AIDS is viewed as a product of the full range of institutional practices in which it became embedded and in which it was set within the boundaries of Louis Pasteur's germ theory of disease (see the Preface section). This biomedical model of disease was materialized through journalistic practices and sold as news. Within these operative terms can be understood another analytical strategy that also designates the main domain of my study of this contemporary social form: I argue in this thesis that knowledge about AIDS was by no means dependent solely on the objective, scientifically determined, "received narrative" of biomedicine; what is today known as AIDS is also a product of a wide range of social practices produced and reproduced over time and space. AIDS is also an outcome of the resolutions, judgements and decisions that working journalists made over time in terms of what they generated or covered as news; the disease is also product of a large assortment of representational mirrors that I call `authentic voices', to take as good examples, the "narrative of moral protest", the narrative of a "homosexual disease", the narrative of a "heterosexual disease," and the narrative of a "modern-day Black Death" (plague). The story of AIDS in the media can also be seen to be defined by the proliferation of these authentic voices. From this reading, the distinctive trait of AIDS in the media lies in the fact that it is a constructed object, a disease framed through a specific structure of meanings. When we look at these structure of meanings we find that their moral and cultural assumptions and stereotypical connotations embody certain aspects of the organism of the society within which they were created and nourished over a much longer history. / Sociology / D.Litt. et Phil. (Sociology)

ENGLISH: This study looks at the bereavement of adolescents left orphaned by and vulnerable to the HIV and Aids crisis that is crippling the continent of Africa. Their bereavement and the psycho-spiritual issues relating to this bereavement are examined by means of postfoundationalism as an approach to practical theology along with the narrative approach to research and therapy. This is done by integrating these approaches with the art of storytelling within the unique African context. By listening to the stories of ten adolescents under the care of PEN, a Non Governmental Organisation (NGO), this research gives them the opportunity to express their own unique stories of bereavement. Stories that would otherwise have been silenced by the wave of bereavement in the wake of countless deaths worldwide due to the HIV and Aids infection. It looks holistically at the multiple losses these adolescents have suffered and consequently how this has affected them not only physically, but also especially emotionally and spiritually. In light of the above, this research attempts to show how these adolescents are in the process of – by means of storytelling – reformulating the story of their lives and the lives of those they care about in the true spirit of Ubuntu to find hope anew in the proverbial pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. AFRIKAANS: Hierdie studie fokus op die verlies wat tieners ervaar wat wees gelaat is deur die MIV en Vigs pandemie wat besig is om die vasteland van Afrika te verlam. Hulle rousmart en die gepaardgaande psigies-spirituele aangeleenthede word ondersoek deur middel van die postfondamentele benadering tot praktiese teologie in samehang met die narratiewe benadering tot navorsing en terapie. Dit word gedoen deur die integrasie van hierdie benaderings met die vertelkuns binne die unieke Afrika konteks. Deur te luister na die stories van tien tieners onder die sorg van PEN, ‘n Nie- Regeringsorganisasie (NRO), gun hierdie navorsing hulle die geleentheid om hul eie unieke stories van smart te vertel. Stories wat andersins verlore sou gegaan het in die golf van verlies wat volg op die ontelbare getal sterftes wêreldwyd as gevolg van MIV en Vigs besetting. Daar word holisties gekyk na die veelvoudige verliese wat hierdie tieners beleef het en gevolglik hoe dit hulle nie net fisies nie, maar ook emosioneel en geestelik beïnvloed. Asook hoe hulle in staat is om – deur die gebruikmaking van stories – hul lewensstorie te hervertel asook die lewens van diegene naby aan hulle, in die ware gees van Ubuntu, om nuwe hoop in die spreekwoordelike pot goud aan die einde van die reënboog te vind. SEPEDI: Dinyakišišo tše di lebelela go hlokofalelwa ga bana ba mahlalagading bao ba tlogetšwego e le ditšhiwana le go ba kotsing ya mathata a HIV le Aids yeo e golofatšago khonthinente ya Afrika. Go hlokofalelwa le ditaba tša bona tša monagano le tša semoya tše di amanago le go hlokofalelwa mo di hlahlobja ka go šomiša post-foundationalism bjalo ka mokgwa wa Tiragatšo ya Thutabodumedi gammogo le mokgwakanegelo wa dinyakišišo le kalafo. Se se dirwa ka go kopanya mekgwa ye ka bokgabo bja go anega kanegelo ka tikologong ya Seafrika ye e swanago e nnoši. Ka go theeletša dikanegelo tša bana ba mahlalagading ba lesome bao ba lego ka fase ga tlhokomelo ya PEN, Mokgatlo wo e Sego wa Semmušo (NGO), dinyakišišo tše di ba fa sebaka sa go anega dikanegelo tša bona tša go hlokofalelwa tše di swanago di nnoši. Dikanegelo tše di ka bego di ile tša homotšwa ke leuba la go hlokofalelwa ka lebaka la mahu a mantši lefaseng ka bophara ka lebaka la bolwetši bja HIV le Aids. Di lebelela ka botlalo go hlokofala ga batho ba bantši mo go dirilego gore bana ba ba mahlalagading ba be le mathata le ka moo se se ba amilego e sego fela mmeleng, eupša maikutlong le meboyeng ya bona. Ka lebaka le, dinyakišišo tše di leka go bontšha ka moo bana ba ba mahlalagading ba lego gare ka tshepedišo ya – ka go šomiša go anega dikanegelo – go beakanya lefsa kanegelo ya maphelo a bona le maphelo a bao ba kgathalago ka bona ka moya wa mmakgonthe wa Botho (Ubuntu) go hwetša kholofelo ye mpsha ka pitšeng ya gauta ye e lego mafelelong a molalatladi ye go bolelwago ka yona ka se. / AFRIKAANS: Hierdie studie fokus op die verlies wat tieners ervaar wat wees gelaat is deur die MIV en Vigs pandemie wat besig is om die vasteland van Afrika te verlam. Hulle rousmart en die gepaardgaande psigies-spirituele aangeleenthede word ondersoek deur middel van die postfondamentele benadering tot praktiese teologie in samehang met die narratiewe benadering tot navorsing en terapie. Dit word gedoen deur die integrasie van hierdie benaderings met die vertelkuns binne die unieke Afrika konteks. Deur te luister na die stories van tien tieners onder die sorg van PEN, ‘n Nie- Regeringsorganisasie (NRO), gun hierdie navorsing hulle die geleentheid om hul eie unieke stories van smart te vertel. Stories wat andersins verlore sou gegaan het in die golf van verlies wat volg op die ontelbare getal sterftes wêreldwyd as gevolg van MIV en Vigs besetting. Daar word holisties gekyk na die veelvoudige verliese wat hierdie tieners beleef het en gevolglik hoe dit hulle nie net fisies nie, maar ook emosioneel en geestelik beïnvloed. Asook hoe hulle in staat is om – deur die gebruikmaking van stories – hul lewensstorie te hervertel asook die lewens van diegene naby aan hulle, in die ware gees van Ubuntu, om nuwe hoop in die spreekwoordelike pot goud aan die einde van die reënboog te vind. SEPEDI: Dinyakišišo tše di lebelela go hlokofalelwa ga bana ba mahlalagading bao ba tlogetšwego e le ditšhiwana le go ba kotsing ya mathata a HIV le Aids yeo e golofatšago khonthinente ya Afrika. Go hlokofalelwa le ditaba tša bona tša monagano le tša semoya tše di amanago le go hlokofalelwa mo di hlahlobja ka go šomiša post-foundationalism bjalo ka mokgwa wa Tiragatšo ya Thutabodumedi gammogo le mokgwakanegelo wa dinyakišišo le kalafo. Se se dirwa ka go kopanya mekgwa ye ka bokgabo bja go anega kanegelo ka tikologong ya Seafrika ye e swanago e nnoši. Ka go theeletša dikanegelo tša bana ba mahlalagading ba lesome bao ba lego ka fase ga tlhokomelo ya PEN, Mokgatlo wo e Sego wa Semmušo (NGO), dinyakišišo tše di ba fa sebaka sa go anega dikanegelo tša bona tša go hlokofalelwa tše di swanago di nnoši. Dikanegelo tše di ka bego di ile tša homotšwa ke leuba la go hlokofalelwa ka lebaka la mahu a mantši lefaseng ka bophara ka lebaka la bolwetši bja HIV le Aids. Di lebelela ka botlalo go hlokofala ga batho ba bantši mo go dirilego gore bana ba ba mahlalagading ba be le mathata le ka moo se se ba amilego e sego fela mmeleng, eupša maikutlong le meboyeng ya bona. Ka lebaka le, dinyakišišo tše di leka go bontšha ka moo bana ba ba mahlalagading ba lego gare ka tshepedišo ya – ka go šomiša go anega dikanegelo – go beakanya lefsa kanegelo ya maphelo a bona le maphelo a bao ba kgathalago ka bona ka moya wa mmakgonthe wa Botho (Ubuntu) go hwetša kholofelo ye mpsha ka pitšeng ya gauta ye e lego mafelelong a molalatladi ye go bolelwago ka yona ka se. / SEPEDI: Dinyakišišo tše di lebelela go hlokofalelwa ga bana ba mahlalagading bao ba tlogetšwego e le ditšhiwana le go ba kotsing ya mathata a HIV le Aids yeo e golofatšago khonthinente ya Afrika. Go hlokofalelwa le ditaba tša bona tša monagano le tša semoya tše di amanago le go hlokofalelwa mo di hlahlobja ka go šomiša post-foundationalism bjalo ka mokgwa wa Tiragatšo ya Thutabodumedi gammogo le mokgwakanegelo wa dinyakišišo le kalafo. Se se dirwa ka go kopanya mekgwa ye ka bokgabo bja go anega kanegelo ka tikologong ya Seafrika ye e swanago e nnoši. Ka go theeletša dikanegelo tša bana ba mahlalagading ba lesome bao ba lego ka fase ga tlhokomelo ya PEN, Mokgatlo wo e Sego wa Semmušo (NGO), dinyakišišo tše di ba fa sebaka sa go anega dikanegelo tša bona tša go hlokofalelwa tše di swanago di nnoši. Dikanegelo tše di ka bego di ile tša homotšwa ke leuba la go hlokofalelwa ka lebaka la mahu a mantši lefaseng ka bophara ka lebaka la bolwetši bja HIV le Aids. Di lebelela ka botlalo go hlokofala ga batho ba bantši mo go dirilego gore bana ba ba mahlalagading ba be le mathata le ka moo se se ba amilego e sego fela mmeleng, eupša maikutlong le meboyeng ya bona. Ka lebaka le, dinyakišišo tše di leka go bontšha ka moo bana ba ba mahlalagading ba lego gare ka tshepedišo ya – ka go šomiša go anega dikanegelo – go beakanya lefsa kanegelo ya maphelo a bona le maphelo a bao ba kgathalago ka bona ka moya wa mmakgonthe wa Botho (Ubuntu) go hwetša kholofelo ye mpsha ka pitšeng ya gauta ye e lego mafelelong a molalatladi ye go bolelwago ka yona ka se. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Practical Theology / unrestricted

This study aimed to test the efficacy of the memory box as a medium in Gestalt Therapy, specifically within a therapeutic group with AIDS orphans in the middle childhood phase of development. The aim was to explore and describe the utilisation of the memory box, as a medium for telling one's story, within the safety of the Gestalt play therapy group. It was felt that the increased self-awareness fostered by belonging to a supportive group could enhance self-concept. The research included qualitative and quantitative data. Theoretical and the meta-theoretical assumptions affecting children, in the middle childhood phase, orphaned through HIV/AIDS, were reviewed. The group sessions were described and the data obtained from the pre and post-test was graphically illustrated. The information was then compared to ascertain whether the objectives had been met. Results show that the memory box, used in Gestalt play therapy groups, with AIDS orphans was effective. / Social Work / M.Diac. (Play Therapy)

This study aimed to test the efficacy of the memory box as a medium in Gestalt Therapy, specifically within a therapeutic group with AIDS orphans in the middle childhood phase of development. The aim was to explore and describe the utilisation of the memory box, as a medium for telling one's story, within the safety of the Gestalt play therapy group. It was felt that the increased self-awareness fostered by belonging to a supportive group could enhance self-concept. The research included qualitative and quantitative data. Theoretical and the meta-theoretical assumptions affecting children, in the middle childhood phase, orphaned through HIV/AIDS, were reviewed. The group sessions were described and the data obtained from the pre and post-test was graphically illustrated. The information was then compared to ascertain whether the objectives had been met. Results show that the memory box, used in Gestalt play therapy groups, with AIDS orphans was effective. / Social Work / M.Diac. (Play Therapy)

The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of children orphaned by HIV/AIDS and its impact on their identity development. The qualitative research paradigm was chosen for the purpose of this study. In depth interviews were held with three young adults who lost one or both parents to HIV/AIDS when they were young. Hermeneutics thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. The study’s results identified different psychosocial issues associated with HIV/AIDS which were considered to be an influence in the lives of participants and their identity development. The results indicate that HIV/AIDS still has a strong and negative connotation which influenced the participants’ attitude and behaviour, including the development of their sense of identity. / Psychology / M.A. (Clinical Psychology)

The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of children orphaned by HIV/AIDS and its impact on their identity development. The qualitative research paradigm was chosen for the purpose of this study. In depth interviews were held with three young adults who lost one or both parents to HIV/AIDS when they were young. Hermeneutics thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. The study’s results identified different psychosocial issues associated with HIV/AIDS which were considered to be an influence in the lives of participants and their identity development. The results indicate that HIV/AIDS still has a strong and negative connotation which influenced the participants’ attitude and behaviour, including the development of their sense of identity. / Psychology / M.A. (Clinical Psychology)

In the light of the child's self-esteem that is affected by traumatic events, the goal of the research was to explore and describe the self-esteem of children orphaned by HIV/AIDS. The researcher made use of a quantitative research method. 30 (N=30) respondents, both male (n=16) and female (n=14), between the ages of 11 to 15, were randomly sampled for inclusion in the study. Each participant completed a self-report measure of self-esteem, The Culture-free Self-esteem Inventory for Children, which yielded a score of Global Self-esteem, as well as in four sub-domains including: General, Social, Academic and Parent-related Self-esteem. The results of this study demonstrated that the participants experienced a lowered self-esteem. These findings were explored in light of a literature review, after which conclusions and recommendations were provided. / Social Work / M. Diac. (Play Therapy)

D.Ed. (Psychology of Education) / Although the human immuno-deficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immuno-deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is still very much a silent issue in South Africa, the AIDS pandemic has become a public problem which is threatening to a significant proportion of the population of South Africa (Heartbeat 2002:1; Kaseke and Gumbo 2001:53). HIV infections are on the rise and people are dying every day of AIDS related diseases (Msomi, 2000:8). Thus, the overall aim of this research was to determine how the HIV/AIDS orphans’/vulnerable children’ psychosocial status is affected by the HIV/AIDS disease. The study was conducted in the Bojanala Region of the North West Province. A purposeful sampling was used because four (4) schools were suggested by the Department of Social Services in the Rustenburg Area due to their high populace with HIV/AIDS orphans. The other four (4) schools were suggested by the Auxiliary Services Division in the Bojanala Region of Education. The literature revealed that failure on part of the parent, guardian and/or teachers to meet the psychological needs of the child at a certain stage in his/her development may result in personality disorders, which can become a potential danger and a source of unhappiness to the individual him/herself (cf. 2.5). Furthermore, it was evident from the literature that chronic parental illness may have a traumatic effect on young children because both parents may neglect a child (cf. 4.2). The literature also revealed that children should not be viewed as passive recipients of assistance, but as active participants who play a key role in the development of responses to the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Receiving quality services is a right and a need not only of AIDS orphans, but also of all children (cf. 4.6). From the quantitative data analysis, the following findings emerged, that HIV/AIDS orphans/vulnerable children are optimistic about their future. Children do not blame themselves for their parents’ death. Arising from this research certain conclusions were drawn, recommendations were made and areas for possible future research were suggested. / Teacher Education