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  • Title: Perceptions of children and community members concerning the circumstances of orphans in rural Zimbabwe.
    Author: Foster G, Makufa C, Drew R, Mashumba S, Kambeu S.
    Journal: AIDS Care; 1997 Aug; 9(4):391-405. PubMed ID: 9337884.
    Abstract:
    Focus group discussions and interviews were held with 40 orphans, 25 caretakers and 33 other community workers from a rural area near Mutare, Zimbabwe. Orphan concerns included feeling different from other children, stress, stigmatization, exploitation, schooling, lack of visits and neglect of support responsibilities by relatives. Many community members, while recognizing their limitations due to poverty, were already actively helping orphans and caretakers. Extended family networks are the primary resource for orphans, though some relatives exploit orphans or fail to fulfil their responsibilities. Interventions are suggested which support community coping mechanisms by strengthening the capacities of families to care for orphans. Outside organizations can develop partnerships with community groups, helping them to respond to the impact of AIDS, by building upon existing concern for orphan families. They can help affected communities to develop orphan support activities which encourage caring responses by community leaders and relatives and which discourage property-grabbing and orphan neglect. Material support channelled through community groups to destitute families at critical times can strengthen family coping mechanisms. Income-generating activities should build upon communities' existing capabilities and benefit the most vulnerable orphan households. Some communities are responding to the AIDS disaster by adaptations to cope with devastating changes taking place in their communities. Interviews and focus group discussions involving 40 orphans, 25 caretakers, and 33 community workers from a rural area near Mutare, Zimbabwe, explored community responses to children orphaned as a result of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) pandemic and other factors. Mutare is the site of a church-based orphan support program that provides home visits, material assistance, and counseling to orphan households. A 1995 enumeration in Mutare revealed 14.7% of children were orphaned. The extended family remains the principle orphan-care unit, although some relatives exploit the children's labor and fail to meet their educational and medical needs. Only 5 orphans felt there were no differences between themselves and non-orphaned children. Orphans reported they were forced to work rather than attend school, isolated from peers, neglected or maltreated by caretakers, and stigmatized. Stigmatization was more likely to be based on orphan status or poverty than AIDS as the cause of a parent's death. Despite the area's substantial poverty, many families with orphans had received assistance from community members and local churches. The orphan visiting program has promoted a generally humane attitude toward these children. Traditional community leaders and community visitors can exercise moral influence by encouraging relatives to fulfill their family responsibilities, protecting the inheritance rights of orphans and widows, and helping vulnerable families retain and use their land. Outside organizations can channel direct material support (e.g., food relief, medical costs, and school fees) through community groups to enhance the coping capabilities of destitute families and assist communities in developing income-generating activities.
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