The HIV and AIDS epidemic in sub-Saharan Africa calls a great national and global response in order to face the challenges associated with the illness for the individual, households, community and future of nations. The disease has led to an increased number of orphans and other vulnerable children in Botswana where the non-governmental organizations stand for social service delivery to these children. However, this is not without challenges and pressure for adaption from other organizations. The NGO staff members carry out their work within this organizational context between a variety of influences and relations that are reflected in terms of challenges they define. A wide range of strategies are used by the actors and organizations to deal with these barriers. Therefore, it is of importance to explore the NGO staff member’s experiences of their work in relation to an institutional perspective, which this study intends to do. The focus of the analysis was on separating the material into categories that answer the research aim by using influences from the coding process of grounded theory. The results demonstrated that the NGOs work within local and global tensions in their organizational fields including the ability to preserve traditional practices and adapt to international changes. This for the organizations to be able to gain legitimacy, receive funds and continue to provide their services to orphans and other vulnerable children in the country. / HIV och AIDS-epidemin i subsahariska Afrika kräver en omfattande nationell och global respons för att möta de utmaningar som är förknippade med sjukdomen för individen, hushåll, samhället och nationers framtid. Sjukdomen har lett till ett ökat antal föräldralösa och andra utsatta barn i Botswana där icke-statliga organisationer står för utförande av sociala tjänster och vård till dessa barn. Detta är dock inte utan utmaningar och påtryckningar om anpassning från andra organisationer. De icke-statliga organisationernas personal utför sitt arbete inom detta organisatoriska sammanhang mellan en mängd olika influenser och relationer som återspeglas i utmaningar vilka de definierar. Ett brett utbud av strategier används av de aktörer och organisationer för att ta itu med dessa hinder. Därför är det av vikt att utforska icke-statliga organisationer och specifikt personalens erfarenheter av sitt arbete i förhållande till ett institutionellt perspektiv, vilket denna studie avser att göra. Fokus för analysen var att separera materialet i kategorier som svarar på syftet genom att använda influenser från kodningsprocessen av ”grundad teori”. Resultatet visade att organisationerna arbetar inom lokala och globala spänningar i deras organisatoriska fält, inkluderande en vilja att bevara traditionella sedvänjor men samtidigt anpassa sig till internationella förändringar. Detta för att de icke-statliga organisationerna ska kunna uppnå legitimitet, få finansiering och fortsätta att tillhandahålla sina tjänster till föräldralösa och utsatta barn i landet.

Vulnerable children in Southern Africa are not receiving adequate services to support their human development. The child rights-based approach (CRBA) has become the globally accepted norm informing the quality and variety of multidimensional services children require to realise their rights and ensure their optimal human development. Community- Based Organisations (CBOs) are providing services to children in their communities. Unfortunately, relatively few CBOs in Southern Africa have been able to deliver all the multidimensional services required by vulnerable children to realise their right to survival, protection, development and participation. Yet, in the immediate future, existing CBOs could be capacitated as part of a collaborative approach with governments and donor agencies, to scale up services for vulnerable children. In line with the CRBA and the people centred development approach (PCDA), this research describes the factors that enhance or constrain the services for vulnerable children provided by the CBO, Kuyasa Horizon Empowerment (Kuyasa), in Kayamandi, Cape Town, South Africa. The aim of the case study was to identify and describe these key factors which impact on CBOs service delivery, utilising the CRBA as theoretical framework, so as to provide recommendations for future capacity building with Kuyasa in particular and other CBOs in general. Both qualitative and quantitative methods of research were applied throughout the study using a variety of techniques and instruments. Generally the findings indicate that, in terms of the CRBA, the factors which enhance services for vulnerable children provided by Kuyasa, were (1) their approach to empowerment as a point of departure for other practices and principles, (2) the scope and sequencing of their multidimensional services , (3) the practice of assigning responsibility to children to encourage contribution and the (4) principle of mentorship to validate children‟s iii potential and contribution in the absence of biological fathers. The critical constraints were (1) the variety of challenges children encounter in the community, i.e., sexual abuse, early sexual debut and alcohol abuse, (2) the challenges out of school youth encounter in accessing higher education or employment, (3) conflicting interests which hindered consensus in the participation process and (4) managing complex or prescriptive donor relationships. In light of the critical constraints identified, a collaborative and integrated approach is recommended. The constraining factors identified by this case study cannot be addressed by CBOs in isolation. The challenges children, out of school youth, and CBOs encounter can only be mitigated through a collaborative and integrated approach, where the grassroots level services provided by CBOs are combined with interventions offered by government departments and the development community. Some of the success factors and constraints can be extrapolated and used to inform many similar organisations operating in similar contexts. Finally, framing the findings in terms of the CRBA, promotes advocacy and discourse around a shared theoretical framework. / Magister Artium (Development Studies) - MA(DVS)

The study assesses the Lesotho government’s assistance programmes in addressing the financial implications of Education for All (EFA) at secondary school level. It does this by examining the objectives of the financial assistance programmes, their main problems and tensions in the implementation, and how they impact on the education of poor learners. This research was conducted using a qualitative methodology, which relied in part on the case study approach by focusing on two schools in the poor areas of Lesotho. The study used a multi-method data collection approach with interviews, questionnaires and document analysis. The respondents were selected on the basis of their relationship to the implementation of these government programmes. The school sample comprised two (2) principals, four (4) parents of learners targeted by such assistance programmes, and four (4) teachers working with learners who were beneficiaries of these programmes and who knew how these programmes assisted them (or not). There were two MOET officials, the bursary manager at central level, responsible for all government assistance programmes; and the district education bursary administrator responsible for the OVC programmes and entrusted with implementing the programmes in line with the regulations. The decision to get information from these respondents was because they were knowledgeable or experienced in different aspects of these government programmes, their implementation, and the impact on schools and learners. ii Using the rational and political analytical approaches, the findings reveal the limited conceptualization of the financial assistance programmes designed to widen the secondary education of poor learners as these did not address the deeper problems of Orphans and Vulnerable Children’s (OVC) problems in accessing and completing their education. The rational approach indicates poor system resources and capacity to effectively manage these programmes, as well as poor monitoring and accountability at all levels of the system. The political approach emphasises the poor implementation context of these assistance programmes due to the conflicting agendas of various programme implementers. The role of leadership is identified as crucial in interpreting and effectively mediating the operationalisation of these programmes on the ground so that the more deserving poor learners benefit. However, such leadership appears to be lacking at various levels of the implementation process. The study concludes that in order for these government assistance programmes to have a lasting and meaningful impact on OVC secondary schooling, there is a need to review their assumptions and scope to address more fully the OVC needs. Additional resource mobilization coupled with strong leadership, monitoring and evaluation are necessary for this to be realised.

My graduation thesis is engaged in vulnerable groups and human rights in Afghanistan. I defined women, children, handicapped and migrants as vulnerable groups. First of all I tried to describe contemporary situation and status of these vulnerable groups in Afghanistan. I tried to refer to all aspects of their vulnerability. In the next part I analyzed the roots of their vulnerability in detail. I concerned on environmental conditions, historic evolution, cultural background, economic development and development and stability of the state. In conclusion I tried to put forward a concept of solution, which should improve the situation of vulnerable groups and human rights in Afghanistan. The main actor of my analysis is a state, which from my point of view is the most important element of the development in Afghanistan. The important part of these questions is a collision of Western and Muslim culture or Afghan culture. This fact means a new very complicated dimension of vulnerable groups and human rights in Afghanistan.

abstract: Traditionally when the topic of secondary traumatic stress (STS) is discussed, it is often in regard to medical professionals and first responders. People who have STS or compassion fatigue, as it has been renamed, have been defined as people who are dealing with traumatic stress and/or emotional burdens via their “patients.” This study, conducted at a major university in the southwest, measured educators’ perceptions of the extent of their compassion fatigue using the Professional Quality of Life Scale (ProQOL) before and after a voluntary online support training during last four weeks of the semester. Educators who were full time scored better than the educators who worked part time on the three components of the Compassion Fatigue Scale. Results from this study suggest that additional training surrounding compassion fatigue may be needed in the future. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Educational Leadership and Policy Studies 2019

Few words have the power to make people both cringe in fear and lean forward, fascinated to know more. This thesis focuses on one such word: vulnerability. Through the Scholarly Personal Narrative writing format, I explore what vulnerability means to me and how my understanding has changed. I examine how vulnerability in my life helped refine me into a wiser, more compassionate, teacher. Teaching requires vulnerability, a willingness to risk failure and accept mistakes for what they really are: lessons to create a connection among other humans. This thesis portrays how I have come to understand and accept vulnerability as a major component of my teaching practice. I illustrated my journey of vulnerability, using the pattern, “From There, To Here, Now Where?” First, I share stories of my past, to examine my first experiences of potential vulnerability as an adult. These sections describe how those uncomfortable situations led me to question the more traditional, lecture-style teaching I absorbed through formal education. In the “To Here” chapter, I share stories of how I developed a greater understanding of vulnerability through the graduate courses I chose. These sections demonstrate my evolving need for communication and connection—two vital aspects of vulnerable teaching. Lastly, I convey what I expect to take with me into my future career, emphasizing “Now Where,” by looking forward. I shared my idea for a new, creative organization, highlights from my job search, and how my mindset has changed by accepting vulnerability. In closing, I offer a collection of universalizable statements I learned through this process. This thesis chronicles my journey to accept vulnerability both personally and professionally. I found that teaching and vulnerability are intrinsically linked, and without the strength to be vulnerable, I am not an effective teacher. However, by being open to vulnerability, I may change the world for someone.

Magister Public Health - MPH / Background: Waste picking is not a new phenomenon in South Africa and is becoming increasingly prevalent, with rising numbers of waste pickers operating on landfills and on the streets. Although waste pickers are recognised as making an important contribution to waste management systems in South Africa, they remain at the lowest level of the waste collection and disposal hierarchy. Operating on the fringes of the formal economy with low and generally erratic income, they have limited access to safe and nutritious food. Many waste pickers are therefore prone to micronutrient malnutrition and macronutrient malnutrition. Food insecurity is a constant threat. Few studies have been conducted on this vulnerable group of people, with relatively little known about their eating habits and the impact thereof on their health. The aim of this study was to assess the dietary intake, food (in)security and nutritional status of waste pickers in South Africa, with a specific focus on landfill waste pickers. Study population and design: This constitutes a secondary study which builds on an earlier (primary) study conducted among 409 landfill waste pickers on nine landfill sites in four provinces in South Africa. Data was obtained from a cross-sectional quantitative survey conducted during the primary study which assessed the food (in)security, anthropometric status and dietary intake of waste pickers. In this study, group discussions were also conducted with waste pickers to gain more insight into activities and conditions on the landfill sites.

<p>In sub-Saharan Africa, poverty and its consequences hit orphan and vulnerable children (OVC) the hardest. As the once protective safety net dissipates, many OVC are forced to live in overcrowded and understaffed orphanages. In the attempt to meet survival needs, psychological health is pushed into the background. The aim of this study is to increase the understanding of psychological well-being among institutionalized OVC in Maputo, Mozambique. Qualitative interviews (N=12) and field observations in orphanages (N=6) were analyzed through the hierarchy of needs model. Institutionalized OVC were found living under poor general care with few opportunities for ludic, educational, and social growth. Also among the finding were neglect and abuse, attachment difficulties and traumatic stress symptoms. Nonetheless, this study opposes the disuse of orphanages and suggests interventions to improve the children’s psychological well-being.</p>

Street children are the most vulnerable group in any society. It is estimated that 150 millions children lives on the street in the world. Most of these children lack all basic needs. This study is been done in Babati district, Tanzania. Focus of this study is to examine the possibilities to Education and Healthcare of street children in Babati. This is a qualitative study based on semi structured interviews with street children, authorities responsible for Education and Healthcare of these children and other actors involve in this subject. The result of this study is that the government of Tanzania has developed a guideline (focus on HIV/AIDS related problems causing orphans) to assist these children with shelter, food, education, healthcare etc. There are 656 identified street children in Babati is receiving assistance from the authority but the interviewed street children are receiving any assistance are none. NGOs in Babati working with street children follow the same guideline assisting street children. Children not falling under this guideline do not have many chances to receive any assistance from the authorities and other actors in Babati. The authorities and actors need to expand their focus on reaching all street children in Babati.

In sub-Saharan Africa, poverty and its consequences hit orphan and vulnerable children (OVC) the hardest. As the once protective safety net dissipates, many OVC are forced to live in overcrowded and understaffed orphanages. In the attempt to meet survival needs, psychological health is pushed into the background. The aim of this study is to increase the understanding of psychological well-being among institutionalized OVC in Maputo, Mozambique. Qualitative interviews (N=12) and field observations in orphanages (N=6) were analyzed through the hierarchy of needs model. Institutionalized OVC were found living under poor general care with few opportunities for ludic, educational, and social growth. Also among the finding were neglect and abuse, attachment difficulties and traumatic stress symptoms. Nonetheless, this study opposes the disuse of orphanages and suggests interventions to improve the children’s psychological well-being.