Young Carers Of Visually Impaired Adult Beggars In Dodoma Municipality, Tanzania: Access To Basic Education

ABSTRACT

This study examined the experiences and perceptions of Young Carers of Visually Impaired Adult Beggars in Dodoma, with a goal to understand their plight and suggest more helpful practices in supporting their access to basic education. Through intensive interviews the study captured the perceptions of various stakeholders including Young Carers of Visually Impaired Adult Beggars‟ (YCVIAB s‟) family members, influential community members, Visually Impaired Adult Beggars (VIABs) and Young Carers of Visually Impaired Adult Beggars (YCVIABs) themselves. A total sample for this study was 40 respondents obtained through purposive and snowball sampling technique. Phenomenological case study design was employed to understand the level of community members‟ awareness and perception of the plight, facing YCVIABs and content analysis was employed, to analyze qualitative data. The study found that the community members were aware of the existence of YCVIABs and their perceptions of their plight were multifaceted with majority of them having a negative perception about their experience. The study also found low level of support to Young Carers of Visually Impaired Adult Beggars from the community and government to access and participate in basic education. The level to which the policies on MVC in Tanzania and ETP of 1995 protected and enhanced access to basic education for YCVIABs was also low. The study recommends that the government should influence community members through media and trainings to support YCVIABs.