Challenges for orphans in sibling headed households. Assessment of interventions to reduce stigma in Rakai District, Uganda

Abstract

INTRODUCTION This paper is based on a study carried out in Rakai District, Uganda. The hypothesis of the study is that orphans living on their own face much greater material and psychosocial challenges and stigma than other orphans and other vulnerable children, and thus the main objectives were to initiate, and evaluate, interventions that could improve the situation for the children in child-headed households and the community as a whole. This paper emphasizes the interventions initiated and an evaluation of the interventions. METHODS All data in the study was collected through interviews, focus group discussions, written narratives and observations. Heads of households, local leaders, teachers, community members, health workers and religious leaders gave the base line information necessary to initiate interventions and contains the participants' description of the situation of the orphans inhabiting sibling-headed households, their requests and their suggestions for actions. Different types of interventions were initiated: (1) Repairing or building houses for those most in need of this, (2) paying school fees including lunch, scholastic materials, uniforms, etc. (3) helping to start income generating activities, (4) providing counseling and guidance for children and adults in the community carried out by a Ugandan community psychologist-this also included counseling about HIV/AIDS and its impact on orphans and the society and, (5) a workshop for people at all levels in the district to create awareness of the situation of orphans in child-headed households, to inform about the interventions and to evaluate and discuss the way forward. The interventions were assessed after eight months or more utilizing the same data collection tools as for the base line information, except narratives. The workshop, carried out two years after the first interventions were initiated served as an intervention as well as an assessment. RESULTS The interventions initiated have in most cases resulted in a better relationship between orphans and other community members, and the children have a brighter view about their future. Their self-esteem has become higher. The actions of material character have decreased the children's psychosocial worries and survival anxieties. The children feel more welcome in their own community and some adults even reported that they now saw the orphans as a resource (like other children) rather than just as a burden. CONCLUSION Interventions initiated must be based on needs presented by those for whom they are intended to help. The initiation of a comprehensive and multifarious set of activities, including material, educational, psychosocial and informational support, is important to improve the situation of orphans in child-headed households and to reduce stigma and the distance between orphans living on their own and for community members. Interventions must also be evaluated frequently to make certain that they work as intended and because, as situations change, interventions might need adjustment as well.