The needs of AIDS orphans in Namibia

Abstract

Abstract provided by author:

The thesis presents findings from a study of the needs of AIDS orphans in Namibia. The study was carried out in Windhoek urban area among AIDS orphans (who lost one or both parents to HIV/ AIDS). A sample of 38 AIDS orphans aged between 8 years and 18 years, together with ten professionals were interviewed. The sample was small because of the sensitivity of the topic, and issues surrounding HIV/ AIDS which include confidentiality, stigma, and the actual cause of death, insurance coverage and general reluctance to identify these children

The study came up with two categories of the needs of these children, namely social and psychological needs. The social needs were mainly to do with meeting basic survival on a day to day basis, which include food, clothing, shelter and blankets. The psychological needs encompass the need for constant counseling because of the emotional problems they face, the need to be loved, respected and accepted and for belongingness. The study discovered that there is little that these children can do to cope with the identified needs besides avoidance, social withdrawal and apathy

Moreover, the study highlighted the problems faced by AIDS orphans which include lack of school fees and scholastic material, lack of parental love and guidance and having to deal with social stigma and its effects. Other general conclusions were that the AIDS orphans are ignorant about their rights. Also that these children are continuing with the cycle of poverty they inherited from their dead parents

The study recommended that the government has to come up with legal framework to deal with issues related to AIDS orphans. There is also need to set up an orphan fund. Communities need to mobolise support for relief schemes for AIDS orphan households and encourage child fostering. The NGOs need to embark on more lobbying and advocacy for laws, legislation, policies and regulations governing child welfare and child rights in general and AIDS orphans in particular