Circumstances and motivations for fostering children in Zambia

Abstract

This short report explores motivations and circumstances of fostering children at six sites in Zambia. Cross-sectional community household surveys using multistage random sampling (totalling 1503 households, reporting on 5009 children) and participatory qualitative research (focus groups and in-depth interviews) with adult and youth community members were conducted as part of baseline research for the US-funded RAPIDS (Reaching HIV/AIDS Affected People with Integrated Development and Support) programme. Interviews and discussions with community members revealed the complexity of fostering patterns and decision-making, considered from the dual perspectives of fostering household and fostered child. Programme implementers need to recognize the complexity of fostering in intervention design, including the possibility of introducing perverse incentives.

Keywords:

• Fostering
• orphanhood
• Zambia
• HIV
• AIDS

Acknowledgements

Many thanks to Ellen Weiss (Horizons/ICRW) for helpful review comments and to the programme implementers of the World Vision-led RAPIDS consortium, including colleagues from Africare, Care, Catholic Relief Services, Expanded Church Response, Salvation Army and World Vision. Special grateful thanks to community leaders in Chongwe, Kalomo, Mazabuka, Mpika, Ndola and Petauke for working with the research team. This study was made possible through support provided by the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief through the Office of HIV/AIDS, US Agency for International Development. The opinions expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID.