Strategies for providing care and support to children orphaned by AIDS

Abstract

As a result of the severe HIV/AIDS epidemic in sub-Saharan countries such as Zimbabwe, where between 25-30% of the adult population are estimated to be infected, there are a growing number of orphans requiring care and support. Traditionally, orphans have been absorbed within the extended family but this is becoming more difficult because of the large number of young adults dying. The burden of care and support is falling on the very young and the very old. A number of strategies have been introduced to provide this care and support. Institutions, though popular, are very expensive to run, have limited capacity and only really cater for physical needs. Interventions which simply react to those who present to them may not reach the most needy and may encourage dependency. Community-based orphan care has been identified as the best and most cost-effective way of caring for orphans. An example of a community-based orphan visiting programme is presented. In the last six months of 1996, the FOCUS programme's 88 volunteers made a total of 9,634 visits to 3,192 orphans in 798 families at an average cost of US+1.55 per visit. The key elements of such programmes have been identified. They need to be implemented by a community-based organization (CBO) within a defined community. Volunteers should be selected from within the community. They need to be trained and supported as they enumerate orphans, identify the most needy and carry out regular visits. The volunteers should keep records of all their activities. These records can then be used as a basis for monitoring the programme. In order to cope with the increasing number of orphans in resource-poor settings like Zimbabwe, it is essential that such programmes be replicated and scaled up. This not only an economic necessity but is also a way of providing appropriate and effective services to those who need them.

The vulnerability of orphans in Thyolo District, southern Malawi

“…Delva et al (2005) have estimated that by 2010, 1 in 5 children will be orphaned in Botswana, Lesotho, Swaziland and Zimbabwe. This has already been demonstrated in Manicaland, Zimbabwe where one in 5 households in 1998 had an orphan (Drew et al, 1998).…”

Orphan competent communities: A framework for community analysis and action

“…Following on from this, Foster (2002) also argues that traditional fostering systems, if supported by community initiatives, will continue to meet most of these children's basic needs. His argument arises from the demonstrated ability of community-based orphan support initiatives to target and support large numbers of fostering households in subSaharan Africa (Drew, Makufa, & Foster, 1998;Foster, Makufa, Drew, Kambeu, & Saurombe, 1996;Nyamukapa & Gregson, 2005;Skovdal, Mwasiaji, Morrison, & Tomkins, 2008). Highlighting the viability of strengthening and supporting community initiatives, Nyambedha and Aagaard-Hansen (2007) have observed a renewed community solidarity in some settings of Kenya as a result of the AIDS epidemic, with local self-help and volunteer groups emerging in an effort to support the many children affected by AIDS.…”

Reconsidering the orphan problem: the emergence of male caregivers in Lesotho

“…Institutionalized care is not widely available and is less culturally appropriate, so many caregivers do not consider it an option (Drew, Makufa, & Foster, 1998;Ghosh & Kalipeni, 2004). Women will continue to be important in providing kin-based care for orphans.…”