Articles

Prioritized needs of community based orphan care programs in Malawi

Authors

  • Betty J. Beard Eastern Michigan University, Brooklyn

Keywords:

Malawi, orphans, needs, Africa, community

Abstract

Significant numbers of children are being left as orphans in sub-Saharan Africa and their communities are trying to help both the children and the families in which they live. In Malawi, this model is called Community Based Orphan Care (CBOC). While studies have been conducted on the needs of both children and families, little is known about the needs of the community based programs. The purpose of this exploratory, descriptive field study was to examine the prioritized needs of 31 CBOC programs in Malawi. In focused group discussions, respondents identified their most important needs which include: food/water, supplies, buildings, transport, medicine, and programs. Needs were lurther delineated into those needed for children and families and those desired for the operation of the programs, themselves. Working through communities is the culturally appropriate way to reach families and orphans in Malawi and possibly all of sub-Saharan Africa.

Author Biography

Betty J. Beard, Eastern Michigan University, Brooklyn

Eastern Michigan University, School of Nursing, Brooklyn, Michigan, USA.

Published

2006-09-01

Issue

Section

Articles