Displaying 1 - 10 of 14
Abstract
Children in residential care facilities face a myriad of challenges that range from a lack of attachment with caregivers, peer relationships to a lack of proper adult guidance, identity, and a family with shared values. This study sought to examine the psychosocial challenges facing children in residential childcare facilities in the Mashonaland Central province, Zimbabwe. The study adopted a qualitative approach and used a case study design. A sample of 44 children from a children’s home in Bindura town, Mashonaland Central province and 3 key informants who were caregivers…
Abstract
Care leavers’ family lives are not well-documented in Global South literature. The West has seen an increase in studies focusing on the family concept. This article focuses on the concept of “family” and family membership from the perspective of care leavers. Data from semistructured interviews and “family lists” with 30 care leavers (aged 18–25) from Zimbabwe are presented. The findings suggest that although there is evidence of heteronormative definitions of “family” and ideas of “family” as biological, new definitions are coming up in the developing world. Some participants…
ABSTRACT
Much research has explored transitions into adulthood for children living in out-of-home care. However, most of these studies are concentrated in Western countries, leaving a gap of information from the Global South. This paper discusses findings from a small-scale qualitative study conducted in Harare, Zimbabwe. Semi-structured interviews with (n = 18) institutional caregivers and social workers, complemented with site observations at selected institutions for children, were conducted. Data were analyzed using thematic coding. Findings show that young people aging out…
ABSTRACT
This paper reports on findings from an evaluation study of two institutions providing transition programmes to adolescent girls transitioning from institutional care in Zimbabwe. The study sought to understand how institutions A (government-based) and B (NGO-based) were delivering services to prepare adolescents for life outside care and whether these services complied with Standard Six of the National Residential Child Care Standards in Zimbabwe. Findings show gaps between the actual services being delivered and the expected performance standards, and how this affects the…
ABSTRACT
This qualitative study explored adolescent girls’ perspectives and programme needs as they transition from two institutions in Highfield, Harare, Zimbabwe. The study was guided by the sustainable livelihood and feminist theoretical frameworks. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 32 adolescent girls (16 inside and 16 outside) from Institutions A and B. Focus group discussions were held with two groups of eight adolescent girls inside both institutions. Institutions A and B are run by the government and a non-governmental organisation respectively. Findings suggest that…
Abstract
This article explores the perspectives and programme needs of transition service providers (institutions and the government) in preparing and supporting adolescent girls leaving institutional care in Harare, Zimbabwe. Key informant interviews and focus group discussions were conducted with institutional staff from Institution A (government-owned) and Institution B (privately owned) and social services officers from the Department of Child Welfare and Probation Services. Service providers define successful transition programming as the provision of comprehensive services and…
This report highlights key findings from a social norms study conducted in Zimbabwe to understand the drivers of violence affecting children. Many drivers of violence against children may not be social in nature and instead are related to structural or interpersonal risk factors. However, many drivers of violence are normative in nature. In order to prevent the root causes of these manifestations of violence, we need to understand the elements of what makes a belief a social norm.
Several theorists have written about what defines a social norm and how best to measure social norms. Many…
ABSTRACT
Response to child protection crisis has essentially seen the placement of orphans and other vulnerable children in residential care institutions, particularly children’ homes modelled along Western approaches. Questions have been raised relating to issues such as the extent to which children placed in Save Our Souls (SOS) institutions adjust during community holiday visits, the care they receive from non-relatives, their conformity to societal values and norms and the benefits they realize from the Community Holiday Visit Pogramme. The study reported in this…
Abstract
This article explores the perspectives and programme needs of transition service providers (institutions and the government) in preparing and supporting adolescent girls leaving institutional care in Harare, Zimbabwe. Key informant interviews and focus group discussions were conducted with institutional staff from Institution A (government-owned) and Institution B (privately owned) and social services officers from the Department of Child Welfare and Probation Services. Service providers define successful transition programming as the provision of comprehensive…
Abstract
Adolescent girls draw resources from different stakeholders to meet their livelihood needs during and after institutional care. Thus, an understanding of the nature of social support being provided is important in addressing poverty in the institutional context. Using the DFID sustainable livelihood approach, this qualitative study evaluated the social capital being accessed by adolescent girls transitioning from two institutions in Harare, Zimbabwe. Institution A is state-owned whereas B is run by a non-governmental organisation. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with…