This study focused on how the political environment affects the governance of orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) by non-state actors in Mutare, Zimbabwe. The increase in the number of OVC has led to non-state actors intervening to care and support for OVC because the government is no longer able to do so. Traditionally, extended families worked as the safety net for OVC but due to certain government policies and failures, the burden of caring for the children has increasingly fallen on non-state actors. Governance determines who has power, who makes decisions, how people make their voices heard, and how account is rendered. It aims to promote and strengthen participation by civil society in governing. This research looked at people involved in decision making, who the actors are, and who they report to. A qualitative research design and case study approach was used to provide answers to the research problem which is an investigation of the effects of the political environment on the governance of OVC. Primary data collection was obtained through interviews in organizations in Mutare that assists OVCs. The researcher made use of content analysis to analyse the data that was obtained through interviews. This research found that although the government of Zimbabwe created policies to support the care of the OVC, they have also created an undesirable environment that affects the governance of OVCs. Some of the policies were created to monitor the functioning of non-state actors which resulted in most of the organizations to relocate to neighbouring countries. The outcomes of this study will assist policymakers and childcare programmes to review and design effective intervention policies aimed at helping OVC in Zimbabwe. / Dissertation (MA)--University of Pretoria, 2020. / UP postgraduate bursary for Masters and Doctoral students. / Political Sciences / MA / Unrestricted

This research explored the narratives of orphaned and vulnerable youths who currently reside, or have previously lived their childhood and/or adolescent years, in a shelter in Johannesburg, Gauteng. Data was collected using a semi-structured interview and thematic content analysis was used to interpret and analyse the collected data. Interviews were conducted with 8 participants, all male youths between the ages of 18 and 25 years. This research explored their perceptions of life in the shelter and particularly how the youths make sense of their experiences, relationships, social support, and their ability to cope in the childcare institution. This research also explored the participants’ views of the future. The elicited ‘insider’ perspectives yielded rich information regarding life in a childcare institution, and may additionally serve to guide future interventions to adequately meet the needs of Orphaned and Vulnerable Children (OVC) in childcare institutions, and subsequently attempt to improve their psychosocial well-being. Results of the study indicate that there is a need for more consistent psychosocial support for institutionalised OVC, especially during the adjustment period into the institution. It seems that participants in the study were still struggling with unresolved emotional issues of the past which appeared to be negatively impacting their current well-being. Consequently, it was not uncommon for them to rely on unhealthy coping strategies to deal with the emotional distress thereof. Despite the various challenges described, it seems that participants have demonstrated considerable resilience, gratitude, and hopefulness for the future.

Submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements of the Masters in Social Work in the Department of Social Work at the University of Zululand, 2017. / Parental loss has a devastating effect on the lives of the orphaned children as it brings about many changes and difficulties in different areas of a child’s life. The children face difficulties educationally, socially, financially and psychologically when they experience such loss. The impact of parental loss can be traced to many conducts or behavioural problems that children manifest later in life. The essence of the study was to explore the after-math that orphaned children face once the parents are deceased and what impact it has had on them in their continuation of life within the boundaries mentioned above (educationally, socially, financially, and psychologically). The significance of the study was to provide an improved understanding of the current state of the orphaned children in their new places of care post parental loss given the assistance that they receive from the government (monetary grants) and civil society including international donors to mend their situation. The researcher’s focus was on uncovering the re-arrangement of the orphan’s lifestyle holistically after a parental loss and how it has negatively affected them. To attain the research aim, a qualitative research method was employed and an exploratory research design was followed. Unstructured interviews were used to collect data having an interview schedule as a guide for question flow and for the purposes of employing neutral probing should the need arise. 10 participants, five females and five males were purposively selected to participate in the study. The participants were orphaned children who receive support from a local Community Based Organization (CBO) called Thembalethu, which is located in Thalaneni area. The data analysis of the study discovered that orphaned children do face different distresses after the death of their parents and effects are deeper. Educationally the children have been affected as they have had to relocate to the new places of care, leaving the schools they attended and adapt to the new school coupled with the loss that has been experienced. This has yielded in orphaned children’s poor academic performance in school. Socially the children have taken a strain as it was reported that the decision of who assumes care for them never lies with them and they end up in the care of a person whom they rarely knew. As many orphaned children are recipients of the social assistance in the form of foster care grant and child support grant, the decision about the use of their grant money has also lied with their caregivers and v ultimately benefited other people who are in the household due to the overwhelming number of people that need to be cared for. Psychosocial support has been seen to be the greatest need by the orphaned children as it was reported that they face psychosocial distresses due to not receiving thorough counselling regarding the loss that they have experienced. Other children have been compelled to move on with life without grieving properly for their parents and they have suffered the effects of lack of bereavement support. Upon the realization of these challenges, the researcher, therefore, recommended that close supervision of the cases of foster care be implemented by social service practitioners in the government and non-governmental sector in order to follow-up and make progress with placements and be kept abreast of these challenges. Parenting skills are also seen to be needed by the relatives that assume care for the orphaned children so as to improve the standard of living amongst the orphaned children and the new caregiver.

Abstract This dissertation explores four key questions within the HIV/AIDS paradigm1 and the impact it is having on orphans and vulnerable children in the district of Quthing, Lesotho. These questions are: What is the status of social safety nets? How are communities surviving with the growing number of orphans and vulnerable children? What might be the early warning signs of community breaking points as a new category of child-headed household emerges? What are the human drivers of the pandemic in terms of behaviour and attitudes towards HIV/AIDS, orphans and vulnerable children, and sex; and in terms of reasons why people are not heeding the warning signs and adopting behaviour change? The findings of the dissertation reveal that communities are overwhelmed with the demands placed on them to support orphans and vulnerable children to the point where culture, traditions, and society at large are showing early warning signs of irreversible strain. Despite the efforts of government, donors, the humanitarian sector and the communities themselves, awareness of HIV/AIDS is not translating into behavioural change and as such the spread of the virus continues unabated among the youngest and most vulnerable groups. 1 The set of assumptions, concepts, values, and practices that constitutes a way of viewing reality for the community that shares them, especially in an intellectual discipline. ii

This study contributes to existing, but limited research on institutional caregiving of vulnerable children. Institutional caregiving is an organized goal directed activity which occurs within a family-like system that aims to protect vulnerable children and optimize their emotional, psychological and physical developmental needs. The purpose of this study was to understand the perceptions that caregivers who work at children’s homes have regarding their roles and responsibilities and thereby obtain an insight into their day to day experiences while executing their responsibilities. The primary research question that guided this study was: “How caregivers at children’s home perceive their roles and responsibilities?” A qualitative research approach was applied and it was guided by the interpretive paradigm to gain subjective and perceived realities that caregivers have regarding their roles and responsibilities. A case study research designed was used and a total of eighteen caregivers were purposefully selected to participate in the study. A focus group interview, a group collage and semi structured individual interviews served as data collection methods for the study. The study used the roles dimension of the McMaster Model of family functioning which is based on the System’s theory as its theoretical framework. Findings of the study were aligned with literature and revealed that the caregivers perceived their fundamental roles and responsibilities as that of providing food, shelter and a protective environment. Their perceived responsibilities also include catering to the children’s emotional and health related requirements. It was interesting to note that in addition to their perceived roles and responsibilities, caregivers viewed their work environment as a child-focused environment and expressed the need to be acknowledged as professionals, be empowered with more caregiving skills, and be paid in accordance with their contribution. The study recommends that the unique needs and pressures of institutional caregivers be adequately studied and addressed in ways that will in turn facilitate quality caregiving. / Dissertation (MEd)--University of Pretoria, 2014. / lk2014 / Educational Psychology / MEd / Unrestricted

The aim of this dissertation is to contribute to the development of a strategy for church involvement in the care of vulnerable children in low income households. The extent and nature of the problems caused by HIV/AIDS is inconceivable. Of particular concern is the children affected by HIV/AIDS. There is little consensus as to whether institutionalised care can be replaced by community-based care. The church needs an informed approach for future intervention. Existing research covers the needs of children to a certain extent, but does not have conclusive answers as to how these needs should be met. There is little, if any research examining the totality of the child’s needs. This research will determine what the vulnerable child’s unmet needs are, and get a first indication of the extent to which they are being met in the low-income household. Missiology is the field within which this study is undertaken. A good understanding of mission and the link between mission and the holistic study of the needs of vulnerable children is discussed as basis for further reflection. In an attempt to determine the totality of the child’s needs, the fundamental human needs theory, developed by Manfred A. Max-Neef is used. According to Max-Neef, all human beings have 10 fundamental needs: subsistence, protection, affection, creation, idleness, understanding, participation, identity, freedom and transcendence. These needs can be satisfied by an infinite variety of satisfiers. The findings of the study include: 1. Caregivers perceive the quality of life of vulnerable children to be high, but fieldworkers’ perceive it to be poor; 2. Denial of the vulnerability of children is associated with the denial of the existence of HIV/AIDS in the community; 3. There is a lack of knowledge of the importance of early childhood, accompanied by a lack of parenting skills for optimal early childhood development; 4. Children are not provided with opportunity and skills to manage grief; 5. The protection of children against abuse and crime is questionable, and 6. The needs of the children in the safe-house do not seem to be satisfied more or less holistically than those who live in families, or vice versa. The church can play a pivotal role in addressing the needs of vulnerable children. Apart from providing care herself, the role of the church is to be a catalyst of holistic care: 1. The first task of the church is to develop a thorough and holistic understanding of the total context, such as the fundamental needs of vulnerable children and the roles of different care-givers; 2. The second task is to promote understanding of the nature of vulnerable children’s needs amongst all role-players, and 3. The third task is to facilitate the best possible use of existing resources to satisfy the prevailing fundamental needs. The most important interventions recommended are: 1. Development of skills and knowledge for early childhood development. 2. Development of knowledge and skills in age-appropriate grief management, and 3. Further study to develop integrated community-based, institutional care. / Dissertation (MA (Theology))--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Science of Religion and Missiology / MA / unrestricted

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.

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.

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.

The context of working and living in a care institution is accepted as challenging for all concerned, yet there is a dearth of studies into the stress experiences of caregivers. This study investigated caregivers’ stress and coping in an institution where care was provided to children affected by HIV and AIDS. The study was informed by a qualitative and case study design within an interpretivist paradigm. In addition, it was guided by a theoretical framework derived from Folkman and Lazarus’ (1984) transactional model of stress and coping. A focus group discussion and individual interviews were utilised to gather data, and to clarify and probe responses on caregivers’ experiences of stress. Thematic analysis of the data yielded the most significant themes and subthemes from caregivers’ subjective experiences and perceptions of the stress that they experienced in their daily work situation. The results of the study indicate that caregivers’ stress experiences need to be addressed if caregiving is to be provided effectively. This will require not only training and management support for caregivers in institutional context (e.g., to deal with challenges such as appropriate discipline for the children under care), but also personal support and counselling for caregivers in order to enable them to assess the signs of burnout and cope with stress effectively. / Dissertation (MEd)--University of Pretoria, 2013. / gm2014 / Educational Psychology / unrestricted