Promoting Child Protection through Community Resources: Care Arrangements for Ethiopian AIDS Orphans

Abstract

One of the key development challenges posed by AIDS in Ethiopia is providing care for the vastly increased number of orphans resulting from the pandemic. The organizational initiatives and policy responses will have an impact on a wide range of developmental indicators, as well as on the formative experiences of millions of Ethiopian children in the years to come. This paper explores the strategies and basic assumptions of community based care-which has become the orthodox approach to orphan care in Africa. Two limitations of this approach are discussed. First, it is often based on an outdated understanding and assessment of the capabilities of traditional institutions to care for children. Second, it provides inadequate protection and condones a variety of arrangements that are inconsistent with the needs and interests of orphan children. A set of practices and normative principles is then reviewed by which innovation in orphan care may be promoted that is consistent with child protection functions as well as the utilization of available community resources.

Maltreatment experiences and associated factors prior to admission to residential care: A sample of institutionalized children and youth in western Kenya

“…Nyambedha et al (2003) found that extended families living in rural western Kenya were overburdened: one out of three children was bereft of at least one parent (single orphans), and one out of nine was bereft of both (double orphans), resulting in some orphans being institutionalized (Nyambedha et al, 2003). Institutions shelter some of the neediest children, those without an adult caregiver or those who are survivors of abuse, neglect and abandonment (Nyambedha et al, 2003; Mbugua, 2004; Meintjes, Moses, Berry, & Mampane, 2007; Powell, Chinake, Mudzinge, Maambira, & Mukutiri, 2004; Reeler, Saba, & Bhatt, 2002; Varnis, 2001). Orphaned and separated children who come to live in institutions may have been subjected to child maltreatment by family members prior to admission (Morantz & Heymann, 2010; Nyambedha, et al 2003; Powell et al, 2004).…”

Strengthen Connection between Family and Community: Social Protection of Covert Unattended Children in Context of Rural Governance Innovation

“…In the community-based orphan care system, traditional methods of social protection for orphans should not be ignored, especially in the education and socialization of orphans. Attention should be paid to the practice of existing folk beliefs and values, and support and cultivate the parent-child relationship of AIDS families, enhance the family's emotional care function for AIDS orphans (L Steven & Varnis, 2001). On the other hand, the premature sexual behavior of children and adolescent orphans is related to the lack of knowledge and information about disease prevention, and they lack the understanding of basic knowledge about HIV transmission and infection.…”

Social support and stress of kin caregivers of orphaned children in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: Implications for practice and policy

“…When someone assumes care of a relative's child, he/she is expected not only to furnish food, clothing and shelter, but also to be responsible for educational and medical expenses and to provide love, nurturance and discipline (Nyambedha, Wandibba, & Aagaard‐Hansen, ). Unfortunately, in the face of the HIV and AIDS epidemics, family care is being stretched beyond its capacity (Laird, ; Varnis, ).…”

“…When someone assumes care of a relative's child, he/she is expected not only to furnish food, clothing and shelter, but also to be responsible for educational and medical expenses and to provide love, nurturance and discipline (Nyambedha, Wandibba, & Aagaard-Hansen, 2001). Unfortunately, in the face of the HIV and AIDS epidemics, family care is being stretched beyond its capacity (Laird, 2008;Varnis, 2001). Abebe and Aase (2007) conducted a qualitative study that examined the care of orphans in two Ethiopian communities: the urban community of Addis Ababa and the rural community of the Gedeo area.…”