Thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of PhD in Community Psychology in the Department of Psychology, University of Zululand, 2007. / This study evaluates two psychosocial support intervention programmes for vulnerable children. Psychosocial support intervention programmes are geared towards strengthening of participation, intergration and cooperation between members of the community. The present study follows upon recommendations by Killian (2003) that more research needed to be done on the effectiveness of psychosocial intervention programmes on vulnerable children. It falls within the framework of a person-centred approach towards primary prevention. This research thesis aimed to explore the community volunteers' experiences on the impact and effectiveness of the psychosocial intervention programmes on vulnerable children. Twenty four community volunteers were interviewed for this research. Qualitative measures were utilized for data collection purposes. A standardized interview schedule, comprising four open-ended questions was used to elicit in-depth responses from the research participants. To test the appropriateness of the research questions, a pilot study was conducted on eight participants who had been sensitized on this programme and also formed part of the bigger research process. Data was analyzed using qualitative measures to elicit in-depth responses from the research participants. Based on the themes that emerged from the analyzed data, the evaluation process of these two intervention programmes yielded positive results, in terms of effectiveness and impact on the lives of vulnerable children in the communities. The thematic analysis of the collected interview data showed significantly that all the research participants appreciated the skills offered and learned from participating in the programme. They reported increased confidence in dealing with various psychosocial challenges faced by vulnerable children in their communities. A common theme that emerged in the present study both in the individual and group interviews, was the community volunteer's renewed sense of community participation, belonging and empowerment. From the research participants' responses, this study has managed to meet the aims and objectives of the training programme, to make people rich in their understanding of children who face adversity and difficult circumstances in their lives. Providing community members with a sensitization programme offering psychosocial support to vulnerable children, then becomes a sustainable, empowering and ongoing process for children affected by HIV/AIDS, poverty and violence. The main findings suggest that the community intervention programme offering psychosocial support for vulnerable children is effective and has had a positive impact on the community volunteers. In terms of values of the community psychology model, this evaluation is meaningful since it shows that community volunteers benefited from participating in this programme in an empowering way, while gaining valuable skills and disseminating knowledge to vulnerable children in their communities. This thesis offers suggestions for future research on vulnerable children with more emphasis on community poverty alleviation strategies. Finally, it concludes that community oriented programmes offering psychosocial support to children affected by HIV/AIDS, poverty and violence are appropriate and ideal interventions to reduce vulnerability and increase resilience. / National Research Foundation

This case study examines the James 1:27 Trust as an information, communication and technology response to the plight of orphans and vulnerable children within the context of an HIV and AIDS epidemic. The James 1:27 Trust demonstrates how social networks can be mobilized in support of children at risk. The use of business information and management systems to administer concepts such as “virtual adoption” is deemed an important innovative contribution. The James 1:27 Trust and its model is studied as a contributor in finding solutions to scale and multiply levels of care by community and faith-based organisations to orphans and vulnerable children. The James 1:27 Trust is located at the Innovation Hub in Pretoria, Africa’s first internationally accredited science park. / Social Work / M.A. (Social Behaviour in HIV/AIDS))

This case study examines the James 1:27 Trust as an information, communication and technology response to the plight of orphans and vulnerable children within the context of an HIV and AIDS epidemic. The James 1:27 Trust demonstrates how social networks can be mobilized in support of children at risk. The use of business information and management systems to administer concepts such as “virtual adoption” is deemed an important innovative contribution. The James 1:27 Trust and its model is studied as a contributor in finding solutions to scale and multiply levels of care by community and faith-based organisations to orphans and vulnerable children. The James 1:27 Trust is located at the Innovation Hub in Pretoria, Africa’s first internationally accredited science park. / Social Work / M.A. (Social Behaviour in HIV/AIDS))

The purpose of this study was to explore the impact of orphanhood on the life world of an adolescent orphaned by AIDS, thereby improving the knowledge base and insight of all those who are involved in helping the orphans. This qualitative study endeavoured to answer the following research question: “What is the impact of orphanhood on the life world of an adolescent orphaned by AIDS, in Ratanda area?”. A literature study was done to give a theoretical overview about AIDS orphans specifically adolescents. A semi-structured interview was conducted from five different schools. Findings from the interviews was discussed and integrated with reference to the literature. A qualitative approach was used as this helped the researcher in understanding the functioning of the AIDS orphan in his natural environment. The researcher aimed at documenting these impacts of orphanhood on the life world and to improve the helping professions’ understanding of the phenomenon. This may lead to more successful intervention strategies for these adolescents. / Educational Studies / M. Ed. (Guidance and Counselling)

The purpose of this study was to explore the impact of orphanhood on the life world of an adolescent orphaned by AIDS, thereby improving the knowledge base and insight of all those who are involved in helping the orphans. This qualitative study endeavoured to answer the following research question: “What is the impact of orphanhood on the life world of an adolescent orphaned by AIDS, in Ratanda area?”. A literature study was done to give a theoretical overview about AIDS orphans specifically adolescents. A semi-structured interview was conducted from five different schools. Findings from the interviews was discussed and integrated with reference to the literature. A qualitative approach was used as this helped the researcher in understanding the functioning of the AIDS orphan in his natural environment. The researcher aimed at documenting these impacts of orphanhood on the life world and to improve the helping professions’ understanding of the phenomenon. This may lead to more successful intervention strategies for these adolescents. / Educational Studies / M. Ed. (Guidance and Counselling)

Five years ago at the age of 14, Rutendo Chaibva was double-orphaned by AIDS. A "Family Post Bereavement Property and Responsibilities Disbursement Committee" assigned her uncle Eric Gara as "replacement parent". Rutendo and her " replacement mother" Gerlinda were co-participants in the Participatory Action Research Study. It started in a therapeutic relationship after the family experienced some difficulties in integrating Rutendo into the reconstituted family. Both the therapy and research conversations explored and identified several pastoral and other challenges that militated against the integration process. Rutendo and Gerlinda's road was littered with, among others, minefields of silence and tears, secrecy, multiple losses, unresolved bereavement, unfinished business, anger, fear, and groping for Christian fellowship. It was concluded that personal, family, pastoral and other challenges, and, HIV/AIDS related complexities had militated against the integration process. At the end, Rutendo and Gerlinda acknowledged that therapy and the research processes had impacted positively on the integration process that improved significantly. / Practical Theology / M. Div. (Pastoral therapy)

A quantitative study was conducted to determine the socio-economic outcomes for the beneficiaries of the Expanded Child Survival Initiative in Uganda. The population comprised of all orphans and vulnerable children who were trained under the Expanded Child Survival Initiative of which a sample of 102 respondents were included in the structured data collection process. The outcomes that were explored were employment, income, assets and family support to siblings and other dependants by the primary beneficiaries. The findings show that the outcomes of the Expanded Child Survival Initiative were positive and benefited socio economic lives of the respondents and their family members. The majority of the respondents were using the skills obtained from the training and were employed. The employment provided a source of income and the income earned facilitates the respondents in providing the basic needs of the family members. They were able to provide adequately for most of their basic needs. The findings also show that the respondents had accumulated some assets. A number of factors influenced the utilisation of the newly acquired skills including having tool kits, start-up capital and business management skills. It is recommended that training providers should provide start-up support to the apprentices in order to facilitate them to utilise the skills obtained from apprenticeship trainings. / Public Health / Thesis (M.A. (Public Health))

South Africa is grappling with the AIDS pandemic that increases the numbers of vulnerable orphans, whose resilience is threatened. Little is known about the processes that enable resilience among these orphans. This qualitative study explored the roots of resilience among 23 AIDS-orphans. The Draw-and-write technique was used to collect data. The participants were asked to make drawings of what enabled them to cope resiliently and to write short narratives explaining their drawings. The drawings were grouped according to the dominant themes. A content analysis of the drawings and narratives was done. Eight themes relating to the roots of resilience among the participants emerged, namely, the participants had active support systems, participants received religious and/or spiritual support, participants had access to social services, books and school attendance changed the participants’ lives, having access to safe a home enhanced resilience, receiving inspiration, having a positive self-image and personal dreams, and physical activity was used to achieve catharsis. These findings have implications for theory and practice / Health Studies / M.A. (Public Health)

Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2005. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The HIV/AIDS pandemic is destroying young adults in the prime of their lives. Children not only become orphans, but also gain instant “adult” status – becoming heads of households, breadwinners and customers. Children who fill such roles must be recognised as important stakeholders with regard to business. As limited available estimations suggest that South Africa is home to 800 000 orphans, corporations must realise that it will make good business sense to invest in the country’s AIDS orphans1 today, as these children will constitute both their future clients and employees. This study examines trends in the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives of five major corporations in the South African motor manufacturing sector. AIDS orphans were also involved in the study through participation in three focus group discussions. The evidence reveals that corporations do not recognise AIDS orphans as important stakeholders to business, nor do they see it as their responsibility to carry the burden of care for such children. Orphans felt that corporations in this business sector do not care about their needs and well-being. They regarded companies who were involved in CSR projects in their communities as “caring” and this resulted in the children hosting positive feelings towards involved companies. They even expressed the desire to purchase their brand of motor vehicle, as opposed to competitor’s brands that were not involved (through CSR) in their community, in future. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die MIV/VIGS pandemie is besig om die lewens van jongmense te verwoes. Kinders word nie alleenlik wees gelaat nie, maar word ook oornag volwassenes. Hulle word die hoof van huishoudings, broodwinners en kliënte vir besighede. Kinders wat hierdie rolle vervul moet daarom as belangrike aandeelhouers in die besigheidswêreld erken word. Beperkte skattings veronderstel dat Suid-Afrika tans ongeveer 800 000 weeskinders huisves. Besighede moet, in die lig hiervan, besef dat dit goeie besigheidssin maak om in VIGSWeeskinders1 te belê, aangesien hierdie kinders hul toekomstige kliënte en werknemers is. Hierdie studie ondersoek tendense in besighede se sosiale verwantwoordelikheidsinitiatiewe (“Corporate Social Responsibility Initiatives”), binne die motorvervaardigingsbedryf van Suid- Afrika. VIGS-Weeskinders was ook nouliks by die studie betrokke, deur middel van deelname aan drie fokusgroepbesprekings. Die studie het bewys dat besighede nie VIGSWeeskinders as belangrike aandeelhouers erken nie, en dat dit ook nie as hul plig gesien word om na weeskinders om te sien nie. Weeskinders, daarenteen, was van die opinie dat besighede in dié bepaalde bedryf nie omsien na hul welstand, of probeer om in hul behoeftes te voorsien nie. Kinders het wel besighede wat betrokke is by sosiale verwantwoordelikheidsinitiatiewe in hul gemeenskappe, beskryf as “liefdevol”, en dit het daartoe gelei dat kinders positiewe houdings jeens sulke besighede gehuldig het. Kinders het selfs die behoefte uitgespreek om, eendag eerder handelsmerke se voertuie te koop wat wel sosiale verwantwoordelikheidsinitiatiewe in hul gemeenskappe bedryf, as dié wat niks doen om hul lot te verlig nie.

<p>In many countries, the scale of poverty, and the alarming number of children now being orphaned by HIV and AIDS, has increased the roles and responsibilities of grandparents as caregivers in their grandchildren's lives. Not only do grandparents have to care for their grandchildren on a daily basis but they also carry the burden of seeing them through school, possibly with the fear that they might not be able to see them achieve all their dreams. This study examined the complex issues surrounding school attendance for orphaned children in Mbekweni, a township in the Western Province, in South Africa. The study explored the relationship between the attitudes of orphaned learners and their caregivers towards education and schooling itself, uncovering the struggles and the strengths of caregivers and orphaned children that directly relate to success or faiolure in school.</p>