Browsing by Author "Bydawell, Moya May."

Now showing 1 - 8 of 8

An assessment of the orphan reunification and rehabilitation program in Zoba Ma'akel, Eritrea.
(2004) Ghebremariam, Kirubel Bereket.; Bydawell, Moya May.
This study aims at investigating the orphan reunification and rehabilitation program in Zoba Ma'ekel, Eritrea. The orphan reunification and rehabilitation program is an intervention devised by Eritrean government in an attempt to address the ever present and continuing problem of orphans in Eritrea. This program aims at reunifying orphan children with their extended families (the uncles, the aunts, the elder brothers and sisters, the grandparents, and any other available relatives). It also aims at strengthening the participant families economically so that they provide the physical and social needs of the orphans under their care. Using data collected through in-depth interviews and questionnaires administered face-to-face in eight selected sites, this study examines the 'well-being' of the reunified orphans compared to non-orphans 1 in the same families using what were believed basic child needs indicators. The study was carried out over two months (December 2002 to January 2003). The findings illustrate that reunified orphans are provided with food, clothing/shoes and health services. However non-orphans in those families are better off than orphans. Most of the caregiver families are economically poor and tend to privilege their own children when there is scarcity of resources within the family. The statistical findings show that 81.5% of non-orphans are supplied with food four times a day compared to 73.2% of the sample orphans. The expenses made for clothing /shoes are found to be slightly higher for non-orphans than orphans (65.9% compared to 59.1%). The findings also reveal orphans' enrolment rate is higher than the national school age children which means they are better off than other children of the country although they are enrolled 6.2% lower than the comparison group (79% vs. 85.2%). However, they work longer hours than non-orphans and among orphans, females do more work than male which deprived them time for play and study. Relationship with the orphans is found stronger where there is a close family tie between the orphans and the caregivers. 1 Non-orphans in this study refer to children in the same families sampled for questionnaires administered face-to-face.
An exploration of young men’s understanding of manhood and manliness: Wembezi township.
(2017) Hlophe, Samukelisiwe Lily.; Bydawell, Moya May.
This study aimed to describe the identities of manhood and manliness according to the young men of Wembezi Township through qualitatively collected interview data. It also aimed to identify meanings attached to manhood and manliness by the participants. The study employed the concept of hegemonic masculinity as a theoretical lens for interrogating the construction of manliness and manhood in Wembezi Township. Fifteen young men aged between 18 and 25 were recruited using a purposive sampling strategy. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews and analysed thematically. The research findings revealed that manhood and manliness among young men in Wembezi is primarily understood in terms of ‘man’ as the breadwinner, provider, and head of the family. However, the study found that there was no uniformity in the young men’s conceptions of manhood, as certain ideals upheld by some young men conflicted with those held by others. There was also a significant level of ambivalence between participants in these findings which supports the general perception and notion that the concept of manhood is fluid, unstable and multiple. This was seen in behavioural patterns, views and attitudes of the men to portray particular masculinities, such as strength in the face of illness, which at the same time posed challenges to the construction of masculinities. Social institutions such as schools and family homes emerged both as significant sources of and platforms for the construction of manhood identities and manliness in Wembezi Township. It is recommended that male gender construction and practices that promote and reinforce hegemonic masculinities be investigated further in order to better understand the phenomenon.
Factors affecting caregivers' perceptions of the mode of transport for school going children in rural areas : a case study of Emmaus area.
(2005) Mbatha, Thokozani.; Bydawell, Moya May.
The role transport plays in enabling people access to services is very important. However, transport for school going children in rural areas has not been given much attention. Transport programmes aimed at improving access to schools by rural children cannot be successful in their formation and implementation without the full participation of parents. Therefore, the objectives of the study were to learn about the factors influencing caregivers' choices of the modes of transport for their school going children and to establish how caregivers view the importance of transport for their school going children, particularly in rural areas. One hundred and twenty six respondents were interviewed in this study. Two focus group interviews were conducted with teachers from eZinyonyana Primary and Mthende High Schools. It transpired that the majority of children walk to school. Most parents are aware of the problems associated with walking. However, the majority of them did not believe that walking could impact on their children's performance at school. This belief, though, differed with parents who perceive themselves too distant from school, hence believing that walking can affect their children's performance at school. Also, the majority of caregivers from communities furthest from schools believed that the availability of transport could improve their children's performance at school. They expected the government to provide transport for learners as most of them felt that even if transport can be made available, they could not still afford it since they are not employed. Although aware of the dangers associated with walking, some parents did not feel they could accompany their children school. This task was entirely left with the older children who are supposed to look after the younger ones on their way to and from school.
Factors influencing infant feeding practices of mothers living with HIV : a case study of Project Masihambisane.
(2016) Ntaka, Buyisile Sinqobile.; Bydawell, Moya May.
This paper aims to explore the factors that influence infant feeding practices of HIV positive mothers who participated in Project Masihambisane. Secondary data analysis (data collected in 2012) was done to analyse and interpret data (relevant to the research statement) collected from Project Masihambisane. 1200 HIV positive women were enrolled in Project Masihambisane and three assessments (structured questionnaires) were used to collect data for the studies objectives. For this research relevant sections in the assessments were identified which provided information on mothers’ intended feeding practices before birth and reported practices post birth. The theory presented in this research paper is Pierre Bourdieu’s Habitus which the researcher uses in an attempt to understand actions of agents in society and how their environments contribute to these actions, as well as understanding the complex nature of HIV positive motherhood. For the purposes of this research data analysis was done on data collected in Project Masihambisane in the baseline, 6 days post-birth and 6 months assessments. Formula feeding was the predominant method of feeding mothers practiced, followed by breastfeeding, and fewer cases of mixed feeding were also reported. The findings showed that mothers who were successful in formula feeding were those that had disclosed their HIV statuses and had the necessary support structures to implement this. Formula feeding was also associated with mothers’ desire to prevent HIV infection from breast milk. Stigma, disclosure of HIV status, partners (or lack thereof), families, neighbours and communities were identified as factors that contribute to infant feeding practices.
Out of step but stepping up? : following a group of students negotiating university and beyond.
(2015) Bydawell, Moya May.; Burton, Simon Ingram Robshaw.
This study holistically explores the experiences at university and the effects of a university education for students at a South African university. Literature on students in higher education has generally been focused on ‘traditional’ students and graduates in the first world. This research advances understanding of students and graduates in a unique way. The study has used qualitative data generated from focus groups, extensive interviews, diaries and photographs of a small sample to uncover student narratives, which offer insights into the ways in which the participants negotiated their way through university, graduation and the early stages of their working lives. The participants showed evidence of remarkable resilience in navigating higher education and the job market without the requisite economic, cultural or social capital. Similar fortitude was also revealed in the attempts to fulfil the expectations of significant individuals and social groups. The findings from the research suggest that the impact of university education on social and economic mobility in the South African context is more complex than often assumed. The participants describe their unique positioning within inimical impulses of: progress and tradition, independence and belonging, conventional success and inner fulfilment. With regard to identity and emerging identities, the participants conveyed a need to create coherent links between their past, their present and their future selves. A sense of isolation emerged for the participants as a function of uneven and incomplete upward economic and social mobility, and the expectations of such mobility.
Skin, hair and body : Black women's perceptions of beauty on a diverse university campus.
(2016) Shabangu, Nontobeko Clementine.; Bydawell, Moya May.
Women’s bodies have been considered surfaces upon which power struggles and narratives of inequality are played out (Bordo 1993). All aspects of women’s lives, especially their bodies and notions of feminine beauty that come to dominate those bodies, are influenced and controlled by their societies, and should be studied as such (Denis 2008). This study aimed to uncover how Black women perceive themselves and are perceived by society, especially in term of their skin, hair and bodies as influenced by social constructs of beauty. The study took place at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg campus. It was conceptually framed within Black Feminism and Bourdieu’s concepts of Symbolic Violence and Taste. Making use of qualitative methods, particularly in-depth interviews with 30 Black female students, the study found that young Black women experience and express ‘beauty’ in intricate and unique ways, as they attempt to position themselves within their societies. In doing this they engage with both their own identities and the identities of others.
The use of linkedIn for recruitment: an exploratory and descriptive study of telecommunications companies listed on linkedIn (South Africa)
(2017) Quartey, Awo Ama Dede.; Bydawell, Moya May.
The internet has brought benefits and challenges to society. E-recruitment is among the benefits. This present study explores the recruitment trends of Telecommunications companies which are online as well as the benefits and challenges of using LinkedIn when recruiting potential employees. In order to explain the findings, the study uses Giddens’ theory of Late modernity, with his focus on the institutional dimensions of modernity and expert systems. A quantitative methodology was used in this study. Fifty-four (54) Telecommunications companies completed an electronic survey. Findings from this study reveal that companies are moving away from traditional methods of recruitment to electronic methods, particularly Professional Social Network Sites (PSNSs) or Social Network Sites (SNSs) (P/SNSs). LinkedIn is a Professional Social Network Site (PSNS) used the most for screening, advertising and recruiting. Representatives from Telecommunications companies tend to use LinkedIn via their laptops in order to access the site. Moreover, they realize the benefits involved with using LinkedIn such as the ability to view potential candidates’ profiles, contact candidates and have access to a large talent pool. The research findings for this study indicate that LinkedIn is used by 93% of employers for work purposes. Thirty percent of representatives always use LinkedIn when recruiting job candidates, while 54% advertise job vacancies on LinkedIn and 31% have used LinkedIn to source new hires in the past twelve months. Thirteen challenges were identified: all with responses below 7%. These include incomplete profiles, an overload of job applications, employers’ complaints about limited responses and the expenses involved in LinkedIn usage. All indications are that there are no major problems: however, in order to ensure that such problems will not intensify in the future, it would be advisable to attend to them in their “budding stage.” This study did not collect data on inequality and poverty: however, these have been identified as challenges which may possibly prevent many South Africans from using the internet and LinkedIn and hence not being able to realize its potential benefits. The present study is exploratory and descriptive in nature and is the first study, to my knowledge, to reveal the benefits of LinkedIn by South African Telecommunications companies.
The Zibambele rural road maintenance poverty alleviation programme : a case study employing the livelihood approach as a tool to understand poverty alleviation in the Vulindlela area.
(2010) Naidoo, Devashree.; Draper, Malcolm Patrick.; Bydawell, Moya May.
This is an exploratory study, employing the livelihood approach as a tool to understand how the Zibambele programme approached rural poverty alleviation. The livelihood framework is used to understand the relationships between Zibambele workers’ and officials from the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport. The Vulindlela Area, one of the Zibambele sites, was chosen for assessment. The livelihood practices of Zibambele workers’ and attitudes of Zibambele officials towards the implementation the programme were sought out and captured. Qualitative methodology shaped the research design. Zibambele workers’ made up the main sample of this study, while officials from the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport were key informants of this study. Focus group interviews were conducted to capture data from the main sample and key informants. The grounded theory technique was used to analyse data. Data was analysed through identifying themes and building on the relationships between themes, to develop an explanation of how the Zibambele poverty alleviation programme is implemented. This study finds that the Zibambele programme is based on an economic approach to poverty alleviation due to the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport’s ‘top-down’ approach in implementing the Zibambele programme and Zibambele workers rising expectations of the programme. The study concluded that the livelihood approach was a valuable tool in understanding and explaining the Zibambele poverty alleviation programme.