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