The Plight of Caregivers Who Support Children Orphaned as a Result of the COVID-19 Pandemic
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51137/wrp.ijarbm.787Keywords:
Caregiver, Child Support, COVID-19, OrphanAbstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has stemmed in an array of challenges in many spheres of functioning in communities across the globe. The death of one or both parents has led to a steep rise in the number of orphans worldwide. In South Africa many children lost their parents, leaving them as orphans who fend for themselves. This article reports on a qualitative study carried out in a township post COVID-19 that focused on the plight of twenty-six(n=26) purposefully selected primary caregiver 20-36 years of children who were orphaned due to the COVID-19. Data were generated by means of individual interviews. Inductive thematic data analysis was used. The findings highlight some challenges experienced by the caregivers, namely: orphaned children resisting the alternative care arrangements which affects their academic performance, some fears for themselves in relation to the pandemic which affects the support they provided to the orphans in their care, and financial challenges in struggling to access governmental support grants without delay. We recommend that support services in different schools provide not support only in learning but also emotional support. Secondly, caregivers to forge operational collaboration with the Department of Social Development for easy access to support grants and the immediate community members to ensure timely support to this vulnerable group in society.
References
Ahorsu, D.K., Lin, C.Y., Imani, V., Saffari, M., Griffiths, M.D. & Pakpour, A.H. (2020) The Fear of COVID-19 Scale: Development and initial validation. International. Journal of Mental Health Addiction. 2020:1–9. doi: 10.1007/s11469-020-00270-8.
Armstrong, M.I., Birnie-Lefcovitch, S. & Ungar, M. (2005) Pathways between social support, family wellbeing, quality of parenting and child resilience: What we know. Journal of Child and Family Studies 14(2) pp. 269-281.
Aantjes, C., Quinlan, T. & Bunders, J. (2014) Integration of community home based care programmes within national primary health care revitalisation strategies in Ethiopia, Malawi, South-Africa and Zambia: a comparative assessment. Global Health 10, 85. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12992-014-0085-5
Bakrania, S., Chavez, C., Ipince, A., Rocca, M., Oliver, J., Stansfield, C. & Subrahmanian, R. (2020) Impacts of Pandemics and epidemics on child Protection: Lessons learnt from a rapid review in the context of COVID 19. Office of research-Innocenti working Paper. UNICEF.
Baxter, P., & Jack, S. (2008) Qualitative Case Study Methodology: Study Design and Implementation for Novice Researchers. The Qualitative Report 13(4) pp. 544-559.
Chachar, A.S., Younus, S. & Ali, W. (2021) Developmental Understanding of Death and Grief Among Children During COVID-19 Pandemic: Application of Bronfenbrenner’s Bioecological Model. Frontiers in Psychiatry 12:654584. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.654584.
Chuong, C. & Operario, D. (2012) Challenging household dynamics: impact of orphanhood, parental absence, and children’s living arrangements on education in South Africa. Global Public Health 7 pp. 42–57.
Embleton, L., Ayuku, D., Kamanda, A., Atwoli, L., Ayaya, S., Vreeman, R., Nyandiko, W., Gisore, P., Koech, J. & Braitstein, P. (2014) Models of care for orphaned and separated children and upholding children’s rights: cross-sectional evidence from western Kenya. BMC International Health Human Rights 14, 9. https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-698X-14-9.
Fall, M.M.M. (2021) Advocacy and innovation in social service provision in Eastern and Southern Africa. UNICEF). https://www.unicef.org/esa/stories/advocacy-and-innovation-social-service-provision-eastern-and-southern-africa. Accessed 21 April 2022.
Gorbalenya, A.E., Baker, S.C. & Baric, R.S. (2020) The species severe acute respiratory syndrome related corona virus: classifying 2019-nCoV and naming it SARS-CoV-2. National Microbiology 5 pp. 536-544.
Haleemunnissa, S., Didel, S., Swami, M.K., Singh, K. & Vyas, V. (2021) Children and COVID19: Understanding impact on the growth trajectory of an evolving generation. Children and youth services review 120, 105754. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2020.105754
Hillis, S.D., Unwin, H.J. T. & Chen, Y. (2021) Global minimum estimates of children affected by COVID-19-associated orphanhood and deaths of caregivers: a modelling study. Lancet 398 pp. 391–402.
Kabir, S.M.S. (2016) Methods of data collection. Basic guidelines for research: An introductory Approach for all disciplines. First Edition (Chapter 9). Publisher: Book Zone Publication. Chittagong-4203, Bangladesh.
Kanyane, M.E. (2015) Child support grant versus fostering child grant. Unpublished dissertation. University of Pretoria.
Kenneth, K. & Golda, J.K. (2020) A comparative study on self-esteem and resilience among orphaned adolescents. The International Journal of Analytical and Experimental Modal Analysis, 12(5) pp. 1230-1214.
Lachman, J.M., Kelly, J., Cluver, L.D., Ward, C.L., Hutchings, J. & Gardner, F. (2018) Reducing Child Maltreatment in South Africa: Feasibility of a Locally Developed Parenting Program for At-‐Risk Low-‐Income Families. SAGE Research on Social Work Practice 2(38) pp. 188-202.
Maguire, M. & Delahunt, B. (2017) Doing a thematic analysis: a practical step by step guide for learning and teaching scholars. All Ireland Journal of Teaching and learning in Higher Education (8)3. https:/ojs.aishe.org/index.php/aishe-j/article/view/335
Mamaleka, M.M. (2019) Developing guidelines for indigenous parenting practices: A study of Makhuduthamaga municipality, Sekhukhune District, Limpopo Province, South Africa. PhD unpublished, University of Western Cape.
Martin, P., Burns, J., Yeni, B. & Mangokwana, A. (2013) Preventing Exclusion from the Child Support Grant: A Study of Exclusion Errors in Accessing CSG Benefits. https://www.unicef.org/southafrica/media/1236/file/ZAF-preventing-exclusion-from-the-child-support-grant-2013.pdf. Accessed 28 November 2022.
Masten, A.S. & Motti-Stefanidi, F. (2020) Multisystem resilience for children and youth in disaster: reflections in the context of COVID 19. Adversity and Resilience Science 1pp. 95-106.
Mathambo V. & Gibbs A. (2009) Extended family childcare arrangements in a context of AIDS: collapse or adaptation? AIDS Care. Suppl 1(S1):22-7. https://dx.doi.org/ 10.1080/09540120902942949.
Moodley, R. (2022) Social grants process improved to benefit orphaned children. https://www.sanews.gov.za/south-africa/social-grants-process-improved-benefit-orphaned-children. Accessed 28 November 2022.
Mutepfa, M.M., Mpofu, E. & Cumming, R. (2014) Impact of protective factors on resilience of grandparent carers fostering orphans and non-orphans in Zimbabwe. Journal of Aging and Health 27(3) pp. 454-479.
Mutiso, D.N. & Mutie, P.M. (2018) Challenges affecting orphans and vulnerable children (OVCs) in Embu community. International Journal of Sociology 1(1) PP. 18-36.
Ngonyama, L.G. (2013) Exploring community resilience strategies on challenges faced by orphans and vulnerable children affected by HIV and AIDS in Ekurhuleni metropolitan municipality, Gauteng. pp: 1-95.
Piot, P. & Bellamy, C. (2004) The framework for the protection, care and support of orphans and vulnerable children living in a world with HIV and Aids. https://hsrc.ac.za/uploads/pageContent/1670/theframeworkforprotectioncareandsupportoforphans.pdf. Accessed 28 November, 2022.
Rapatsa, M. (2016) Ubuntu a capabilities approach: Basic doctrines for calibrating humanitarian action. European Review of Applied Sociology 9 (12) pp. 12-19.
United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF). (2008) Review of the Child Support Grant: Uses, implementation and obstacles.
Rus, A.V., Parris, S., Cross, D. & Purvis, K. (2010) Romanian institutionalised children’s privation and Bronfenbrenner’s ecological system theory. In Research, education and Development: Symposium Proceedings. DOI: 10.13140/2.1.5000.8004.
Sandhiya, P.D. & Rathnasabapathy, M. (2021) The impact of resilience among orphans: a review. The International Journal of Indian Psychology 9(3) pp. 67-74.
Schenk, K.D. (2009) Community interventions providing care and support to orphans and vulnerable children: a review of evaluation evidence. AIDS Care 21(7) pp. 918–942.
Sekhu, M.S. (2019) Ubuntu and pastoral care of vulnerable learners in Soshanguve township pimary schools. Doctor of Philosophy unpublished. University of Pretoria.
Shoko, M., Ibisomi, L., Levin, J. & Ginsburg, C. (2018) Relationship between orphanhood status, living arrangements and sexual debut: evidence from females in middle adolescence in southern Africa. Journal of Biosocial Science 50 pp. 380–96.
Skinner, D.S. (2013) A study of descriptive data for orphans and non-orphans on key criteria of economic vulnerability in two municipalities in South Africa. Curationis 36(1), Art. #105, 8. https://curationis.org.za/index.php/curationis/article/view/105.
South African Government. (2021). Social grants - Coronavirus COVID-19. Retrieved from: https://www.gov.za/covid-19/individuals-and-households/social-grants-coronavirus-covid-19#grants.
Stover, J., Bollinger, L., Walker, N. & Monasch, R. (2007) Resource needs to support orphans and vulnerable children in sub-Saharan Africa. Health Policy and Planning 22(1) pp. 21–27.
Sutherland, S.C., Shannon, H.S., Ayuku, D., Streiner, D.L., Sareela, O., Atwoli, L. & Braitstein, P. (2022) The relationships between resilience, care environment and social-psychological factors in orphaned and separated adolescents in Western Kenya. Vulnerable children and Youth studies, 17(2) pp. 165-179.
Sutton, J., & Austin, Z. (2015) Qualitative Research: Data Collection, Analysis, and Management. The Canadian journal of hospital pharmacy 68(3) pp. 226–231.
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). (2022) Education: Free basic support for orphans and vulnerable children (OVCs). Indicator Registry. www.indicatorregistry.unaids.org/education-free-basic-support-orphans-and-vulnerable-children-ovc-three-indicators. Accessed 01/08/2022.
Unwin, H.J., Hillis, S., Cluver, L., Flaxman, S., Goldman, P.S., Butchart, A., Bachman, G., Rawlings, L., Donnelly, C.A., Ratmann, O., Green, P., Nelson, C.A., Blenkinsop, A., Bhatt, S., Desmond, C., Villaveces, A. & Sherr, L. (2022) Global, regional, and national minimum estimates of children affected by COVID 19 associated orphanhood and caregiver death, by age and family circumstance up to Oct 31, 2021: an updated modelling study. Lancet Child Adolescent Health 6 pp. 249-259.
van IJzendoorn, M.H., Bakermans-Kranenburg, M.J. & Duschinsky, R. (2020) Institutionalisation and deinstitutionalisation of children 1: a systematic and integrative review of evidence regarding effects on development. Lancet Psychiatry; 7 pp. 703–20.
Watts, J.H. (2011) Ethical and practical challenges of participant observation in sensitive health research. International Journal of Social Research Methodology 14(4). https://doi.org/10.1080/13645579.2010.517658.
World Health Organisation, (2021) WHO Health Emergency Dashboard. World Health Organisation Website coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Rachel Rirhandzu Mayimele, Thabo Makhalemele (Author)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
