Victims of HIV/AIDS are not only those who are infected with the disease, but also those who are affected by it; such as the children of infected parents and relatives, and indeed, all children living in communities in which the disease has reached epidemic proportions. As the number of orphaned and vulnerable children continues to rise unabated in South Africa the question remains as to who will look after these children once their parents, and relatives, have died. Research shows that the extended family continues to be the first line of support for such children; however, the dissolution of the extended family, due to HIV/AIDS, is also widely documented. The aim of this study is to explore two non-kin models of care which are available to orphaned and vulnerable children in KwaZulu-Natal; a transition home and a cluster foster home. The two organisations chosen for the study cater for children who are at different stages of childhood; one caters specifically for babies and toddlers, while the other caters for children and young adults between the ages of five and the early twenties. Both organisations emerged as a response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic which is profoundly evident in the areas in which the organisations are situated. The theory of social rupture thesis is utilised as it asserts that the extended family is reaching breaking point in terms of absorbing orphaned and vulnerable children, and therefore that it is slowly losing its ability to act as the first line of support against the disease. Based on the research and findings of this study, this hypothesis was found to be true, as was evident in the large (and increasing) numbers of children who can be found living in non-kin models of care around South Africa. An interesting phenomenon which was documented in both organisations was the re-emergence of the father figure in the home setting. South Africa is a country where the majority of children grow up without a traditional father figure and these two homes expressly include men in the lives of the children in order to highlight what they consider to be the necessary role of men within a family setting. This study explores the central themes which emerged during the research; that of the impact of shifting care-givers on the development of children, as well as the many socio-cultural issues which foster parents face while raising foster children. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2010.

This dissertation examines the housing conditions experienced by the AIDS orphans at Malangeni. It documents and highlights the housing conditions and makes policy recommendations with regards to addressing housing needs of AIDS orphans. AIDS orphans are faced with the problem of inadequate housing. They are living in houses that have a variety of defects. These houses have broken windows, broken doors, leaks, holes in roof, cracks on walls, mould as well as poor ventilation. These, AIDS orphans are being cared for by their relatives, like their aunties but in most cases it is their grandparents that are getting money from the pension grant to support the whole family. The community of Malangeni is very poor and it does not have adequate funds to provide assistance to solve this problem of inadequate housing. The government and the community organizations have done very little to trying and provide assistance in this regard. AIDS orphans get emotional and moral support from members of local churches who visit each and every household that has AIDS orphans. It can therefore be argued that given the inadequate housing conditions that AIDS orphans live in, there is a need for housing policy to address the problem by providing AIDS orphans with housing that has basic infrastructure facilities that ensure basic health and safety and most importantly, improve the overall quality of life. / Thesis (M.Housing)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2006.

The Christian community and local government in Pietermaritzburg is confronted with a crisis of orphan and vulnerable children (OVC). Orphan numbers are expected to peak between 2006 and 2010. No amount of external policies and legislations can adequately deal with both the outward needs and the internal trauma that orphan and vulnerable children experience. However, this study argues that the Christian community is well placed to meet the holistic needs of OVC. By engaging David Korten's Four Generational Framework, the Christian community is challenged to move beyond meeting the visible short term needs of OVC and to become more involved in policy and decision making bodies. Further, through the endeavors of voluntary organizations represented by Fourth Generation development strategies, People's Movements could be mobilized to enhance the strategies of government and other organizations involved in the OVC crisis. Human nature includes issues of human dignity, existential worth, civil responsibility, social equity, political liberty and individual destiny. Understanding one's origin, as expressed in the Bible in terms of humans being created in the image of God (Imago Dei), guides the Christian community first in developing an understanding of themselves and second, on how to function in practical ways toward those that are hurting and are in sorrow. In this study reference is made to OVC who find themselves in this situation because of circumstances that are beyond their control. The crisis of parentlessness leaves children unprotected and vulnerable and thereby sets the stage for hopelessness and despair. God's Imago Dei is the genetical establishment of the individual's person and anthropological construction. The nature and mission of the Christian community is central to its understanding of and response to human need. The Christian community as custodian of the revelations of God reflects the image of Christ as the image of God. This places compliancy demands on the Christian community to represent God's image and transact God's affairs on the earth. Theological reflections on God's mission to the Christian community are explored with the aim of inspiring the Christian community and local government to work together in combating the OVC crisis. Studies seem to indicate that local government is prepared to partner with the Christian community in its attempts to deal with the crisis of OVC in an effective and sustainable manner. / Thesis (M.Th.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2007.