Guardians of orphaned and vulnerable children in an NGO’s educational program in Ethiopia: Risk/protective factors and social mobility

Abstract

This paper reports on the findings of a study conducted through semi-structured interviews with 16 guardians of orphaned and other vulnerable children enrolled in an NGO’s educational programs in Ethiopia, with special attention to the protective and risk factors, namely social, psychological, and economic enabling and disabling factors, that shape the lives of guardians who take care of orphaned and vulnerable children. Findings show that risk factors include social–psychological stressors, economic stressors, lack of educational opportunities, and gender issues related to the disempowerment of girls and women. Findings also show that protective factors include personal factors, mainly those associated with resilience and religion as an inner strength, as well as external factors, such as support from the NGO and support shaped by a reciprocity of care between guardians and their children. Following a discussion on issues related to gender as well as to intra-generational and inter-generational social mobility, implications for practice for NGOs and other organizations that work with vulnerable families are outlined. Recommendations include strengthening social awareness around the importance of educating girls, a strengthened support system for guardians, particularly that of an emotional nature, and a specific focus on adult literacy programs.

Keywords:

• vulnerable youth and families
• poverty
• social justice
• caregivers
• social mobility

Notes

1. 1. The children enrolled in Canadian Humanitarian’s programs are orphans, as they have lost one or both parents due to HIV/AIDS (about 80%), other health crisis, serious infection disease, or accidental death (Canadian Humanitarian, personal communication, 2012).

2. 2. This National Literacy Campaign was carried out all over Ethiopia between 1979 and 1983 to eradicate illiteracy (http://[email protected]).