Orphan Living Situations in Malawi: A Comparison of Orphanages and Foster Homes

Brigitte Aimee Zimmerman

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Poverty, Education, and Child Welfare Family Dynamics and Relationships Child Welfare and Adoption

Abstract

Abstract Orphans have become an increasingly large percentage of the population in Sub‐Saharan Africa due to the AIDS epidemic. Debate ensues about more supportive living situations for these youth, with most research supporting foster homes over orphanages. This article compares these two situations in the country of Malawi, considering how the two systems meet material needs, psychosocial needs, and those needs created by the constraints of the nonprofit environment in Malawi. Interviews were conducted with 50 orphans, nine orphanage and foster system administrators, five foster and group home caregivers, five health care workers, and five community members. All interviewees were asked questions about the children's routine, educational experience, residence characteristics, responsibilities, free time, health care, and future prospects. Administrators and parents were also queried about the management and organization of the programs, and health care workers were asked additional questions about the orphans’ health care and supplies for it. It was found that Malawian orphans placed in orphanages have an advantage over those placed in foster homes along the dimensions of lodging, health care, food quantity and variety, clothing, and school supplies. Additionally, children in orphanages have more autonomy, and have a broader concept of their future potential. Orphanage residents view their caregivers as compassionate and loving. Finally, it was found that orphanages are more efficient in providing care and at exchanging information with other organizations. They are also easier to replicate for use in other areas than are community‐based programs. The article concludes with a discussion of the policy implications of these findings and directions for future research.

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References

2003Dimensions of the emerging orphan crisis in sub-Saharan Africa 1995Orphan prevalence and extended family care in a peri-urban community in Zimbabwe 1997Perceptions of children and community members concerning the circumstances of orphans in rural Zimbabwe 1996The orphan problem: Experience of a sub-Saharan Africa rural population in the AIDS epidemic 1996Supporting children in need through a community-based orphan visiting programme 2003Health and nutritional status of orphans <6 years old cared for by relatives in western Kenya 2004Enabling households to support successful migration of AIDS orphans in southern Africa 1998Strategies for providing care and support to children orphaned by AIDS

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2015Orphans and Vulnerable Children Affected by Human Immunodeficiency Virus in Sub-Saharan Africa 2020Youth Leaving Institutional Care in China: Stress, Coping Mechanisms, Problematic Behaviors, and Social Support 2015Qualitative study on the socio-cultural determinants of care of children orphaned by AIDS in the Ashanti and Eastern regions of Ghana

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