An evaluation of care and support centres for HIV/AIDS orphans in Khayelitsha

Abstract

One of the challenges facing the South African community is the HIV/AIDS epidemic. The epidemic not only disrupts the economy but one of its emerging impacts is through the children who are left orphaned. The challenge has come at a time when economic circumstances are making it difficult for extended families to lend a helping hand to children who are orphaned as a result of HIV/AIDS. The children left behind are usually left on their own or are absorbed through care and support centres which are being becoming popular. The challenge of these care and support centres has come at a time when an increase in abuse by the personnel of care and support centres has emerged internationally. Communities can no longer turn a blind eye to the atrocities that are being experienced by the children within these centres. This challenge is double edged as communities feel isolated by the care and support centres which are based within their communities. The challenge is how communities can breach the gap between children within care and support centres and children who are left on their own. The care and support centres available for HIV/AIDS orphans in Khayelitsha are predominantly run by foreign donors, which limit community participation. This has led to the isolation of community members and care and support centre staff and the core problem of this study will address the evaluation of the care and support centres. Questions such as what happens to children's properties after their parents' death, and do they belong in care and support centres or within their communities arise. These are the areas which will be scrutinized in the study. Areas in which this thesis will attempt to provide insights and make concrete recommendations. Simultaneously with the extensive exploration of care and support centres available for HIV/AIDS orphans theories include the : • Available care and support centres • Community participation within care and support centres • The concept of "ubuntu' in relation to family existence It is hoped that the focus on the care and support centres available for HIV/AIDS orphans will make some contribution to effective care and support centres in this areas, thereby increasing community participation which in turn will revive the concept of ubuntu within communities. Finally, recommendations such as the direct involvement of community members is required to attain which services the care and support centres can offer to the community and how the community play an active role within care and support centres will be offered in this thesis, as informed by the survey results, to effectively manage care and support centres for HIV/AIDS orphans in Khayelitsha.