This thesis focuses on the perceptions and experiences of Rwandan children living in rural child headed households regarding malaria, and how these perceptions and experiences compare to their other health concerns. Despite the attention given to malaria by the international community and the Rwandan government, and the numerous studies that have documented the material and socioeconomic poverty that characterizes the lives of child headed households, Rwandan children’s perspectives regarding their health have rarely been elicited. Through the use of drawing activities and semi-structured interviews with 37 children between the ages of six to eighteen years, living in 14 child headed households, I explore how poverty shapes their understandings, experiences and responses to malaria, and the variation in these perceptions and experiences based on age and gender. Malaria, although a concern for the children, is simply one of many challenges they face in a context characterised by poverty, and structured risk to poor health outcomes. These barriers, along with the other health concerns expressed by the children, receive little attention from informal and organised networks of support, which results in the children bearing a disproportionate burden of social suffering. Insight into structural violence is gained through interviews with NGOs who have or are currently working with child headed households. These interviews illustrate how larger socio-political and economic forces shape the lived reality of the children. Additionally, interviews with community members who offer support to the children illustrate how social ideologies affect local level perceptions and responses to child headed households.

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. Copyright / Dissertation (MA)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Psychology / unrestricted

This study aims at investigating the managerial imperatives of teen motherhood in public secondary schools in the Mamaila circuit, Limpopo province. The focus is on the managerial imperatives of teen mothers that principal must fulfil; the experiences of principals that have teen mothers in their school; the ability of the principals to fulfil these managerial imperatives; and the kinds of support principals give teen mothers. The study was informed by the legal framework entrenched in Chapter 2 (Bill of Rights) of the Constitution of South Africa, especially such concepts as equality, human dignity, security, the interest of the child, the right to basic education and the safety of learners. In South Africa it is illegal to expel pregnant girls in terms of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa (hereafter Constitution) (RSA, 1996a). Schoolgirls who become pregnant are allowed to return to school after giving birth (Kaufman, De Wet and Stadler, 2001:147). The learner pregnancy policy (DoBE, 2007) puts obligations to principals to deal with each case confidentially (i.e. to respect the human dignity of the learner); to support the learner by encouraging her to continue with education prior to and after the delivery of the baby; to put in place appropriate mechanisms to deal with unfair discrimination, hate speech or harassment that may arise. The findings have revealed that most of the principals are not aware of the departmental policy on learner pregnancy, but they acknowledge that it is unconstitutional to expel a pregnant learner. Principals find it difficult to liaise with learners who are on maternity leave in terms of giving them school tasks as advocated by the learner pregnant policy (DoBE, 2007). Learners who are entitled to receive a child-support grant disrupt school on the social grant payday by queuing for permission to go to local pay points. Principals also experience late-coming and absenteeism from teen mothers due to a lack of reliable people to care for their babies during the school day. The performance of teen mothers deteriorates due to the household chores of taking care of the baby and having no time to attend extralessons or afternoon study sessions at school. The study has also revealed that principals engage the local clinics officials to present pregnancy awareness with the learners as a way of educating them. / Dissertation (MEd)--University of Pretoria, 2013. / gm2014 / Education Management and Policy Studies / unrestricted

MPH / Department of Public Health / Background: Human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is one of the major public health problems that has negatively impacted mostly orphans leaving in child-headed families in the world. A child- headed family is defined as a family, living under the same roof, which is headed by a person under the age of 18 years. Many of these children have become heads of households and they are obliged to look after themselves and siblings. As a result, some children drop out from school while looking for jobs to sustain the family. Purpose: The purpose of the study is to explore and describe the experiences of children in HIV/AIDS-affected child-headed families in Zimbabwe. Methodology: The researcher employed qualitative approach with explorative, descriptive, contextual and phenomenological designs. Nonprobability purposive sampling was used to select the participant. Children aged between 12-18 years were selected as they were able to narrate their life experiences. In-depth face to face individual interviews were used to collect data pertaining to experiences of children in HIV/AIDS child-headed families. Data was transcribed verbatim, and then translated from Shona to English. The data was then analysed following Tesch’s eight steps model. Findings: The findings of the study revealed that children in HIV/AIDS-affected child-headed families were lacking basic commodities such as food, clothing, shelter and clean water. The findings also revealed that children living in HIV/AIDS-affected child-headed families were being abused physically, sexually, emotionally and verbally. The findings of the study also revealed that children living in HIV/AIDS-affected child-headed families received support from the government, non-governmental organisations, community and relatives. / NRF

school learnersChild-headed household is a phenomenon that is growing in South Africa. As such, it is imperative to uncover the realities of children in this situation. This study explores and describes the schooling experiences of secondary school learners from child-headed households. This qualitative study included a sample of 20 grade 10 and 11 learners from four secondary schools. Data were collected through structured interviews and document analysis. The Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was used to analyze the data. The findings suggest that secondary school learners from child-headed households live in poverty and encounter experiences such as absenteeism, psychological trauma, gender-based discrimination, lack of adequate food and scholastic materials, drug abuse and teenage pregnancy. These experiences impact negatively on their schooling. The study recommends that learners from child-headed households should get more care and support from educators and other stakeholders. / Science and Technology Education / M.A. (Socio-Education)

HIV/AIDS is a terrible scourge that affects the whole of humanity. This is something nobody can deny or ignore. It is not only HIV infected people who are affected by this. Millions of others suffer too. Millions of Aids orphans live in poverty and are stigmatized by their communities. If one or both of the parents died of AIDS these orphans will have to burden the ensuing grief, hunger, illiteracy, sibling care, abuse and sometimes having AIDS themselves. Grandparents lose there children and get the responsibilities of raising their grandchildren thrust upon them. Other family members and friends sometimes have to share these unforeseen responsibilities too. The state faces an ever-increasing financial drain on its resources, and tries to keep up with ever changing legislation. The church, especially the local church is also deeply affected by this reality. She cannot shirk her responsibilities in the matter. She cannot turn a blind eye to the overwhelming need out there. The methodological model of Zerfass is being used in the study. The crux of this study concerns the church's duty in this matter. Matthew 25 : 31 - 46 and their supportive texts will test the local church on their involvement in this universal need. This study endeavours to find adequate and novel ways and forms of dealing with need with reference to Practical Theology, relevant Scriptural quotes and the historical churchly tradition of communal aid as witnessed in the early church. The social sciences are involved in this endeavour to fathom the depth of human need in connection with HIV/AIDS. This study clarifies what HIV/AIDS really means to people, the extent of the challenge, the stigma attached to the affliction, reasons for its spread, poverty, a shortage of ARV's, its incurability, the problems of Aids orphans. In addition this study will explore the challenges facing caregivers, substitute parents like grandparents or family members, formal or institutional care and children acting as heads of families. Their experiences are dealt with, as well as people's material and spiritual wants, and what they need, in order to survive and even grow in dire circumstances. The local church has a pastoral duty that encompasses much more than the needs of its parishioners. It needs to equip church members with missionary skills to strengthen those in need with the hope and good news of the Gospel. The impact of a concerted effort of a possible 33 000 Christian congregations in South-Africa cannot be underestimated. A study on small groups identify small groups as empowering bodies in the church's pastoral obligation. In one qualitative study the focus is on the daily life of a range of substitute caregivers: Grandparents, relatives, the experiences of substitute caregivers within institutionalized care, the experiences of people of European descent that run a house of safety and lastly the story of a kid acting as a family head over her siblings. There is the excitement of church involvement and the disappointment over church apathy. This practical model envisions a coordinated plan whereby the local church can serve and aid these substitute caregivers, to be part of the solution and not of the problem concerning HIV/AIDS. This could be called a "Flexi model". All local churches do not have the same resources, training and infrastructure. Nevertheless several possible solutions are possible, so that caregivers can be involved and empowered, to do what they have to do. The consequences of a successful outreach could be spiritual growth in a local church, inner mental and spiritual health, identification of new and suitable caregivers, reciprocity, poverty alleviation, the breaching of boundaries, empowerment of church members in the exercising of spiritual gifts, development of spiritual zeal, information exchange about the real challenges of AIDS, and the ongoing empowerment of caregivers to the lasting benefit of Aids orphans. The positive outcome is the inner transformation of a local church. Matthew 25 : 31 - 46 especially verse 40b will become relevant to everyone: "In as much as you have done it to the lesser most of these brethren, you have done it to me." / Thesis (Ph.D. (Pastoral)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2009.

HIV/AIDS is a terrible scourge that affects the whole of humanity. This is something nobody can deny or ignore. It is not only HIV infected people who are affected by this. Millions of others suffer too. Millions of Aids orphans live in poverty and are stigmatized by their communities. If one or both of the parents died of AIDS these orphans will have to burden the ensuing grief, hunger, illiteracy, sibling care, abuse and sometimes having AIDS themselves. Grandparents lose there children and get the responsibilities of raising their grandchildren thrust upon them. Other family members and friends sometimes have to share these unforeseen responsibilities too. The state faces an ever-increasing financial drain on its resources, and tries to keep up with ever changing legislation. The church, especially the local church is also deeply affected by this reality. She cannot shirk her responsibilities in the matter. She cannot turn a blind eye to the overwhelming need out there. The methodological model of Zerfass is being used in the study. The crux of this study concerns the church's duty in this matter. Matthew 25 : 31 - 46 and their supportive texts will test the local church on their involvement in this universal need. This study endeavours to find adequate and novel ways and forms of dealing with need with reference to Practical Theology, relevant Scriptural quotes and the historical churchly tradition of communal aid as witnessed in the early church. The social sciences are involved in this endeavour to fathom the depth of human need in connection with HIV/AIDS. This study clarifies what HIV/AIDS really means to people, the extent of the challenge, the stigma attached to the affliction, reasons for its spread, poverty, a shortage of ARV's, its incurability, the problems of Aids orphans. In addition this study will explore the challenges facing caregivers, substitute parents like grandparents or family members, formal or institutional care and children acting as heads of families. Their experiences are dealt with, as well as people's material and spiritual wants, and what they need, in order to survive and even grow in dire circumstances. The local church has a pastoral duty that encompasses much more than the needs of its parishioners. It needs to equip church members with missionary skills to strengthen those in need with the hope and good news of the Gospel. The impact of a concerted effort of a possible 33 000 Christian congregations in South-Africa cannot be underestimated. A study on small groups identify small groups as empowering bodies in the church's pastoral obligation. In one qualitative study the focus is on the daily life of a range of substitute caregivers: Grandparents, relatives, the experiences of substitute caregivers within institutionalized care, the experiences of people of European descent that run a house of safety and lastly the story of a kid acting as a family head over her siblings. There is the excitement of church involvement and the disappointment over church apathy. This practical model envisions a coordinated plan whereby the local church can serve and aid these substitute caregivers, to be part of the solution and not of the problem concerning HIV/AIDS. This could be called a "Flexi model". All local churches do not have the same resources, training and infrastructure. Nevertheless several possible solutions are possible, so that caregivers can be involved and empowered, to do what they have to do. The consequences of a successful outreach could be spiritual growth in a local church, inner mental and spiritual health, identification of new and suitable caregivers, reciprocity, poverty alleviation, the breaching of boundaries, empowerment of church members in the exercising of spiritual gifts, development of spiritual zeal, information exchange about the real challenges of AIDS, and the ongoing empowerment of caregivers to the lasting benefit of Aids orphans. The positive outcome is the inner transformation of a local church. Matthew 25 : 31 - 46 especially verse 40b will become relevant to everyone: "In as much as you have done it to the lesser most of these brethren, you have done it to me." / Thesis (Ph.D. (Pastoral)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2009.

school learnersChild-headed household is a phenomenon that is growing in South Africa. As such, it is imperative to uncover the realities of children in this situation. This study explores and describes the schooling experiences of secondary school learners from child-headed households. This qualitative study included a sample of 20 grade 10 and 11 learners from four secondary schools. Data were collected through structured interviews and document analysis. The Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was used to analyze the data. The findings suggest that secondary school learners from child-headed households live in poverty and encounter experiences such as absenteeism, psychological trauma, gender-based discrimination, lack of adequate food and scholastic materials, drug abuse and teenage pregnancy. These experiences impact negatively on their schooling. The study recommends that learners from child-headed households should get more care and support from educators and other stakeholders. / Science and Technology Education / M.A. (Socio-Education)

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

See the attached abstract below