Psychosocial Challenges Facing Orphaned Children and Caregivers in Tanzanian Institutionalized Orphanage Centres

Mary Atanas Mosha,Theophil Christopher

doi:10.37284/eajis.4.1.444

Abstract

This study investigated psychosocial challenges facing orphaned children and caregivers as well as possible intervention strategies that could be adopted to mitigate these challenges in the institutionalised orphaned children centres in Ubungo Municipal, Dar es Salaam. The study used a qualitative research approach and a descriptive research design. A purposive sampling technique was employed to select six orphanage centres. The study had a sample of 67 participants including children receiving orphanage care at the institutionalised orphaned children centres, caregivers and directors of the centres who were selected through purposive sampling technique. Data were collected using in-depth interviews and a non-observation method and were sorted and coded based on themes and presented according to the research questions. Thematic analysis was used in qualitative data. Findings from the study revealed that orphaned children were supported with various services including food, clothes, accommodation, health services, spiritual and educational support, life skills, sports and games. It was found further that the orphans were faced with a lack of adequate health facilities including health insurance coverage, educational materials, sports gear and in some centres inadequate clean and safe water. Caregivers lack counselling knowledge and skills. Therefore, the study recommends community participation in providing care to orphaned children and equipping caregivers with relevant knowledge and skills to perform their duties competently

Highlights

Child care in Tanzania takes place in various environments that include different configurations of families and child care institutions
These two centres were of high status compared to others in terms of resources despite the fact they had a high number of orphans
The study concludes that orphan children in the study were provided with psychosocial services like food, shelter, educational materials, game and sports materials, care, guidance and counselling

Summary

Introduction

Child care in Tanzania takes place in various environments that include different configurations of families and child care institutions. It is noted that due to the HIV epidemic in many countries including Tanzania, increasing numbers of children in Sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries are being taken care of in orphanages (Daniel and Rukundo, 2016) These orphanages have in turn become overwhelmed by the number of children in need of psychosocial support and care (Msoka & Holroyd, 2018). Van Dyk (2007) and Evangelou et al (2009) elaborated that psychosocial wellbeing occurs when the internal and external needs of children are met and recipients become physically, mentally and socially healthy When children lose their parents and enter orphanage care, they suffer a series of bereavements (Atwine et al, 2005; Evangelou et al, 2009; Nyawasha and Chipunza, 2012). Leaders are struggling because there are negative impacts associated with being orphans including depression, anger, anxiety, and feeling of sadness (Huynh et al, 2019)

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion