The aim of this study is to get a deeper understanding, from a Swedish context, of how you can do social work with vulnerable and orphaned children in a developing country such as Uganda. We have investigated this through the example WEBALE, an NGO working in a context where among other things HIV/AIDS, poverty and a defective social safety net have led to social problems affecting children. Further, we have also aimed at acquiring a deeper understanding of what it is that motivates the volunteers and the director to work with vulnerable children at WEBALE. In order to fulfil this aim, the research has the following two key questions: What is the motivation for the teacher volunteers and the manager to work with vulnerable children at WEBALE? How do the teacher volunteers perceive the social work with the children in everyday life at WEBALE and what experiences do they have from this? The study is a field study with a phenomenological and ethnological approach. We were present at and took part in the everyday life of the informants at the school and orphanage in Uganda for eight weeks. The investigation uses a qualitative method where four interviews and participant observations were carried out. The results are analyzed in connection with theories on social work defining preventions and interventions, where theories on risk- and protection factors and the salutogenetic theory on SOC have been used. The analysis is also connected to theories on social work with children from a developmental-ecological and attachment-theoretical perspective. The results show what it is that motivates the volunteers and manager to work as volunteers in this specific contest through personal accounts of their background. Our observation is that the motivation of the volunteers and the manager to work with orphaned and vulnerable children is closely connected to their own background and childhood. The biggest reason for this kind of a life choice seems to be a sense of coherence and the largest motivating factor is that the work they do feels meaningful. The results further highlight the social work that is carried out and how the volunteers perceive their work at WEBALE. The study shows that the volunteers (who mainly consist of teachers) carry out what can be called social work, according to the definitions of interventions and preventions within various fields, such as health, education, emotional and behavioural development, ability to take care of oneself, social behaviour, family and social relations, and identity.

Cette thèse porte sur l’examen des distorsions communicationnelles à partir de communications établies entre les enfants vulnérables et le personnel à l’intérieur de la société de l’Imam Ali. Ces communications ont été étudiées à la lumière des vécus des enfants dans les trois dimensions de la vie des enfants vulnérables. Il s’agit des dimensions psychosociale (parcours et histoires des enfants placés dans les maisons d’accueil), communautaire (famille et groupes sociaux proches) et sociale; et nous l’avons fait en nous rattachant à la théorie de l’agir communicationnel de Habermas (1987), en tenant compte de la structure éthico-politique de la société iranienne. Pour ce faire, nous avons aussi introduit des concepts de vulnérabilité et de violence dans la ligne d’une objectivation des distorsions communicationnelles dans le cas d’enfants vulnérables. Cette question a été traitée comme étant une question éthique à partir de discours des enfants et du personnel par rapport à la question suivante : vers quoi s’orientent les communications entre les deux champs humains qui interagissent dans les maisons d’accueil de la société de l’Imam Ali, soit les enfants et les membres du personnel? Vont-elles plutôt dans le sens de la contrainte ou plutôt dans le sens de la coopération (communicationnel)? La méthodologie de recherche est partie d’une approche logico-pragmatique fondée sur l’argumentation. Elle est basée sur certaines contributions théoriques de la logique naturelle (Grize, 1996) et sur l’éthique de la discussion (Habermas, 1987-2013). Selon nos résultats, il existe une zone de violence qui se trouve à la racine de la religion islamique. L'étude a révélé que les sujets vulnérables subissent à la fois de la violence visible et de la violence silencieuse provenant des structures sociales, cela rendant leur état de plus en plus vulnérable et précaire. De plus, le monde des enfants est colonisé par une communication dirigée vers un « non-dialogue » dans l’espace dédié à leur protection. Il ressort de cette étude que les communications établies dans les maisons d’accueil se basent sur une éthique de la religion islamique, et elles mènent par-là à des chemins représentant des processus de reconnaissance et de socialisation religieuse. Les propos que nous avons fait émerger nous ont permis d’affirmer l’existence d’une forte contrainte d’ordre religieux – voir la violence silencieuse. C’est pourquoi ces espaces de vie ne remplissent pas les conditions préalables à la réalisation d’une éthique de discussion dans le sens habermassien. Cette recherche révèle un cycle de violence silencieuse inscrit dans les structures sociales de l’Iran et perturbant le contexte de l’agir communicationnel dans un contexte d’enfants vulnérables. La conséquence en est l’émergence d’un processus de déformation qui entraîne des distorsions communicationnelles. L’étude a ouvert la voie à une nouvelle piste de recherche dirigée vers les distorsions communicationnelles qui révèlent de nouveaux aspects pathogènes d’une contrainte exercée par un pouvoir politico-administratif. / This thesis focuses on the study of distortions of communications between the vulnerable children served by the Imam Ali Society and its staff. These communications were studied by looking at three dimensions of the experiences of those children, namely, the psychosocial dimension (paths and stories of the children placed in foster homes), the community dimension (family and close social groups) and the social one. It was carried out by employing Habermas's theory of communicative action (1987) while taking into account the ethico-political structure of the Iranian society. For this purpose, we also introduced concepts of vulnerability and violence in order to objectify communication distortions in the case of vulnerable children. The problem was approached as an ethical conundrum in the children and staff interactions regarding the following questions: in which direction is the communications between the children and the staff in the Imam Ali Society Shelter taking place? Are they more in the direction of constraint or rather in the direction of cooperation? The methodology of this research is part of a logico-pragmatic approach based on argumentation. It is based on certain theoretical contributions of natural logic (Grize, 1996) and the discourse ethics theory (Habermas, 1987-2013). According to our results, there is a zone of violence and increased vulnerability, source of which is mostly routed in Islam. This research also leads us to identify a zone of vulnerability, where the vulnerable are exposed to both visible and silent violence from social structures, making their condition more and more vulnerable and precarious. In addition, the children's lives are colonized by a communication directed towards a "non-dialogue" in the social space rather than one dedicated to their protection. The study indicates that communications established in the shelter of the Imam Ali Society are based on Islamic ethics, leading thereby to paths representing processes of religious recognition and socialization. This research identified the existence of a strong religious constraint i.e., silent violence. For this reason, these spheres of life do not fulfill the preconditions for realization of a Habermassian ethical discourse theory. Our work demonstrates a cycle of silent violence embedded in the Iran's social structures, disrupting communication in the context of vulnerable children. The consequence is the emergence of deformation processes that lead to communication distortions. This research paved the way for a new line of research on communication distortions revealing new pathogenic aspects of a constraint exerted by a politico-administrative power.

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Problem statement Due to HIV and AIDS impacting on communities, devastating consequences have been predicted. The number of orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) in need of care is escalating, causing social workers’ caseloads to become unmanageable. These OVC who lost their parents through death are suffering multiple losses due to being orphaned. The material, protection and affection needs have to be addressed in a holistic, eco-systematic, multidisciplinary team approach. In practice social workers tend to focus mainly on the material and protection needs of OVC due to high caseloads and staff turnover, neglecting their affection needs. Social workers need to work with foster parents and children in identifying potential risk factors that could lead to risk behaviour in foster children who have lost their parents through death. The researcher designed an assessment tool that could enable social workers in practice to do an effective risk assessment of OVC in foster care. Intervention could be planned accordingly by setting goals to address risk factors timeously in an attempt to prevent future problem behaviour in OVC placed in foster care. Aim To develop an assessment tool for social workers to identify risk behaviour in foster children who have experienced multiple losses such as the loss of one or both parents. Method A mixed methods design was used, specifically the sequential and explanatory design which involved collecting and analysing both qualitative and quantitative data. These obtained data were then connected and integrated. Results It was proved that a Risk assessment tool helped social workers to identify risk factors in a team effort between social workers, foster parents and children. Meeting the psychosocial needs of OVC placed in foster care more effectively is important in order to prevent the development of negative behaviour. / PhD (Social Work), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Problem statement Due to HIV and AIDS impacting on communities, devastating consequences have been predicted. The number of orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) in need of care is escalating, causing social workers’ caseloads to become unmanageable. These OVC who lost their parents through death are suffering multiple losses due to being orphaned. The material, protection and affection needs have to be addressed in a holistic, eco-systematic, multidisciplinary team approach. In practice social workers tend to focus mainly on the material and protection needs of OVC due to high caseloads and staff turnover, neglecting their affection needs. Social workers need to work with foster parents and children in identifying potential risk factors that could lead to risk behaviour in foster children who have lost their parents through death. The researcher designed an assessment tool that could enable social workers in practice to do an effective risk assessment of OVC in foster care. Intervention could be planned accordingly by setting goals to address risk factors timeously in an attempt to prevent future problem behaviour in OVC placed in foster care. Aim To develop an assessment tool for social workers to identify risk behaviour in foster children who have experienced multiple losses such as the loss of one or both parents. Method A mixed methods design was used, specifically the sequential and explanatory design which involved collecting and analysing both qualitative and quantitative data. These obtained data were then connected and integrated. Results It was proved that a Risk assessment tool helped social workers to identify risk factors in a team effort between social workers, foster parents and children. Meeting the psychosocial needs of OVC placed in foster care more effectively is important in order to prevent the development of negative behaviour. / PhD (Social Work), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

This study was a situation analysis of the socio-economic conditions of orphans and vulnerable children in Dessie Town. Specifically the study assessed the educational attainment, economic status, social isolation, adjustment, discrimination and psycho-social status of OVCs, the characteristics of the care-givers of OVCs and the support systems for OVCs. Therefore, 270 OVCs, 130 guardians and 4 OVCs service-providing organisations were selected as respondents. A survey research design was used. The study found that OVCs and their households faced problems such as school dropout, low educational performance; economic and food insecurity, lack of adequate clothing; social isolation and emotional hardships due to separation of siblings; discrimination, and neglect. Children’s housing conditions, toilet facilities, and access to clean water and health facilities were poor. The majority of guardians were unemployed and unable to fulfil the needs of the OVCs in their care. It is recommended that support systems for OVCs be strengthened. / Sociology / M.A. (Sociology)

This study focusses on the missiological response of the Pamodzi Free Methodist Church to the plight of orphans and vulnerable children (OVCs), specifically girl children in the Kawama Township in the Republic of Zambia. The major question to answer was “How can the cultural and biblical heritage of hospitality help the church particularly the Pamodzi Free Methodist Church to respond to the problems of OVCs, particularly girl children as victims of urban problems?” The study discovered that forces such as poverty, HIV/AIDS, child abuse, family breakdown, cultural beliefs and practices as well as a lack of care from the extended family have contributed to the vulnerability of OVCs. It recommends that the members of God’s household should have a mandate to restore the dignity and identity of OVCs in a holistic manner by linking the biblical and traditional values of hospitality as well as to develop intervention measures in order to meet the felt needs of OVCs. / Christian Spirituality, Church History & Missiology / M. Th. (Missiology)

Among the many undesirable phenomenon within developing countries is „orphanhood‟ that seems to be precipitated by the escalating parental deaths mostly rooted in the devastating effects of HIV/AIDS and poverty. The phenomenological descriptive case study investigated the effects of double orphanhood on the cognition and learning of orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) living within child-headed households (CHHs) in Chipinge District of Manicaland, Zimbabwe. The qualitative enquiry is tethered on a multi-dimensional concept of constructivism. The triangulated data were collected through participant observations, open-ended questionnaire, interviews and focus group discussions held at four secondary schools. The purposefully selected participants comprised 20 double orphans and vulnerable children, four headmasters, eight teachers, one Education Officer and one Social Welfare officer, making a total sample of 34. The study employed the Tesch‟s qualitative model of data analysis that led the findings into five major themes, each differentiating into sub-categories. The findings revealed that though most OVC try to remain resilient within their orphanhood predicament, they continue to suffer loneliness, inferiority complex, stresses, anxieties, low self-esteem, lack of concentration in class and more negativity that militates against effective assimilation and accommodation of learning materials within their ecological environment. The situation affected both sexes and was exacerbated by poverty, need deprivation and overwhelming household and parenting responsibilities. As such, most of the children‟s voiced responses expressed great despondence over their predicament. Other older OVC were contemplating dropping out of school in order to work, earn and look after their siblings. Even though some OVC reported occasional receipt of aid through donors and the government‟s facilities such as the Basic Education Assistance Module (BEAM), not all OVC were lucky to remain beneficiaries up to the end of their secondary schooling. vi Orphanhood was found to be a psychological deterrent to cognition and learning. Therefore, the local community, education administrators, policy makers, children‟s rights advocates together with the children‟s representatives should map out life-lines ideal for enhancing the cognitive learning of double OVC residing in CHHs. / Psychology of Education / D. Ed. (Psychology of Education)

Evidence suggests that caring for orphans and vulnerable children affected by HIV and AIDS remains one of the greatest challenges facing South Africa. Statistics indicate that there are 1.91 million AIDS orphans in the country (UNICEF, 2012; Statistics South Africa, 2009:8)). The majority of these orphans live in rural and poor urban households. Caring for orphans and vulnerable children places severe strain on support systems, such as the extended family; this spills over into the community. Providing care and support also places an extra burden on the already overstretched welfare sector and drains state resources. The primarily objective of this study was to explore community resilience strategies on challenges faced by orphans and vulnerable children affected by HIV and AIDS in Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality, Gauteng. A purposive sample of 32 participants was selected and field data were collected over a period of two months using a structured research guide. A combination of data collection methods was employed in order to explore different perspectives of community resilience strategies on challenges faced by orphans and vulnerable children affected by HIV and AIDS in Benoni. Emerging data illustrate a clear account on the impact of the AIDS epidemic in Benoni. All of the respondents were directly or indirectly affected by the epidemic. This should be located within the high prevalence of HIV and AIDS and the high number of orphans in Ekurhuleni. The study findings further suggest a correlation between socioeconomic challenges and the AIDS epidemic in Ekurhuleni. This is demonstrated through the challenges experienced by orphans and vulnerable children in Benoni, which include: non-disclosure by parents of their illness; economic deprivation and disrupted schooling; children caring for an ill parent with AIDS and child-headed households; emotional, sexual and economic exploitation, stigmatisation and discrimination. Despite these challenges, through community resilience the Benoni community has taken some initiatives to mitigate against these challenges. This includes the establishment of a community based organisation which provides basic services to orphans and vulnerable children in Benoni. To date this organisation has successfully provided material and psychosocial to more than 278 orphans. The success of this initiative confirms the importance of community driven interventions using the resilience framework to supports orphans and vulnerable, rather than dependency on the government imposed programmes- top down approach. However, community based programmes need to be strengthened by the government and non-governmental organisations in order to maximise benefits. / Psychology / M.A. (Social Behaviour Studies)

Dissertation thesis - "The use of elements of alternative education system of Maria Montessori for street children in Zambia" - is dedicated to the education of vulnerable children and "street children" in Zambia. In the introduction to the theoretical part of the thesis, the author describes Zambia itself and thereafter in following chapters, she outlines the main issues on which a detailed analysis of poverty, HIV / AIDS and its impact especially on children is presented. She gives more detailed information concerning the questions of the Zambian education; she introduces its main characters and to summarise this chapter, she deals with the particular division of the Zambian education. Given that the author in her work in Zambia found out that the reason of inefficiency in education is caused by lack of financial resources and inefficiency in educational system itself, she focused exactly on this issue. Furthermore, she treats the area devoted to volunteering and its regularities. The problem of vulnerable children and "street children" can be understood as one of the many consequences of poverty in Zambia. Street children are divided into two groups Children in the Street and Children of the Street. The difference in these two groups is essential; and that the first group spends the free time on the street and the second group lives on the street. In conclusion of the theoretical part, the author introduces the alternative pedagogy of Maria Montessori and she indicates the most important and the most basic principles, elements and specific areas of learning. The research section presents results in relation to the objectives of the dissertation thesis, which she set at the beginning and then got in the research effectuated in the years 2006 - 2009 in Zambia where she focused on the implementation of education and leisure time activities for vulnerable children (OVC / Orphans and vulnerable children) and "street children" of preventive social project of educational and leisure time activities in compaundu (slum) Kalingalinga. The author chose four goals to complete her research. The first objective was to determine whether is possible to use some elements of the pedagogy of Maria Montessori for the education and leisure time activities of vulnerable children (OVC / Orphans and vulnerable children), and "street children"; the second aim was to develop methodological tools and handouts, which will be adapted according the internal culture of the country and social status of children. The third goal was to create a suitable leisure time activities for children of the street, which will again correspond to the nature of children. The fourth goal was to improve cooperation, coordination among the trainees who go to Zambia effectuate the social project. Methodical handouts and instructions, worked out by the author, for working with these children are also a part of this chapter. All the goals of the work had been fulfilled and the author proved that the elements of alternative education of Maria Montessori in education and creation of leisure time activities can be used for vulnerable children and "street children".