The Plight Of Orphans And Other Vulnerable Children In Foster Families And Their Access To Education

ABSTRACT

This study focuses on the plight of orphans and other vulnerable children in foster families and their access to education in Nyamagana Municipal Council. The specific objectives of the study were to explore foster family factors which enhance or inhibit OVC access to education, to find out strategies used by the OVC in dealing with difficulties in access to education and to investigate the role of the government and communities in providing care and support to OVC. The study employed qualitative research approach with a case study design. A total of 39 respondents were involved in the study. Semi structured interviews, focused group discussions and documentary review were used for data collection. The findings of the study revealed that OVCs were facing a lot of difficulties including poor economic status of foster parents, being tortured, unequal distribution of work, missing some basic needs and rejection. It was also revealed that OVCs were doing work and petty business as a way of overcoming their difficulties both at home and at school while their school progress was at risk due to absenteeism. It is concluded that, in Nyamagana Municipal Council there isno formal system of assigning caregivers to the OVCs although close relatives had the responsibility of caring for their relative‟s children once they die. The study recommends that,a formal system of selecting foster parents who arecapable of taking care of the OVCs should be established by the responsible organisations in the community even if the foster parent is not the closest relative of the deceased parents. This might help the OVCs in foster families to access quality education and to improve their wellbeing.