"Getting their stories : narratives of youths in a shelter for orphaned and vulnerable children"
Date
2014-09-15
Authors
Kostopoulos, Anna
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
This research explored the narratives of orphaned and vulnerable youths who currently
reside, or have previously lived their childhood and/or adolescent years, in a shelter in
Johannesburg, Gauteng. Data was collected using a semi-structured interview and
thematic content analysis was used to interpret and analyse the collected data. Interviews
were conducted with 8 participants, all male youths between the ages of 18 and 25 years.
This research explored their perceptions of life in the shelter and particularly how the
youths make sense of their experiences, relationships, social support, and their ability to
cope in the childcare institution. This research also explored the participants’ views of
the future.
The elicited ‘insider’ perspectives yielded rich information regarding life in a childcare
institution, and may additionally serve to guide future interventions to adequately meet
the needs of Orphaned and Vulnerable Children (OVC) in childcare institutions, and
subsequently attempt to improve their psychosocial well-being. Results of the study
indicate that there is a need for more consistent psychosocial support for institutionalised
OVC, especially during the adjustment period into the institution. It seems that
participants in the study were still struggling with unresolved emotional issues of the past
which appeared to be negatively impacting their current well-being. Consequently, it was
not uncommon for them to rely on unhealthy coping strategies to deal with the emotional
distress thereof. Despite the various challenges described, it seems that participants have
demonstrated considerable resilience, gratitude, and hopefulness for the future.
Description
Keywords
Shelters, Orphed and vulnerable children, Youth