Survey of the needs of HIV/AIDS orphaned children and foster parents and the implications of these needs on care giving: A case for Murehwa District

Abstract

The Red Cross Society of Zimbabwe commissioned the study. The study was carried out in Dandara and Madamombe wards of Murehwa District. The study sought to find out the needs of orphaned children as well as those of their foster parents. The research was a sample survey that used an interview guide, in a face – to- face situation to collect data. Twenty foster parents and twenty orphaned children were interviewed. Those interviewed were purposively sampled using recommendations from Zimbabwe Red Cross Society Care Givers. Interviews were preferred because the researchers could get individual responses from the respondents. Data was analysed quantitatively and qualitatively. The study found out that the majority of orphaned children did not have adequate basic necessities, such as food, clothes and a descent sleeping place. The foster parents were failing to provide for the material and psychological support needed by the orphans. They also did not provide the orphans with basic educational needs such as books, ball pens, uniforms and covers. As a result the children were usually sent away from school thus depriving them of an opportunity to learn. For proper care giving the study recommends that foster parents be empowered by giving them financial support to start income generating projects. Foster parents need to be assisted with building materials so as to improve accommodation for the orphans or even build children's homes in rural areas. The study also recommended that the National AIDS Council (NAC) put in place outreach programmes to educate foster parents on how to care for orphans.

Zimbabwe Journal of Educational Research Vol. 16(3) November 2004: pp. 215-227