Addressing educational and pastoral needs of vulnerable children in the eThekwini region : a case study of two drop-in sites.

Abstract

This study presents the findings of a qualitative case study research to explore and

This study presents the findings of a qualitative case study research to explore and describe the experiences of drop-in site personnel in the provisioning of pastoral and educational care to orphaned and vulnerable children. It also investigates and documents the experiences of orphaned and vulnerable children in receiving pastoral and educational care. It is hoped that lessons learnt from this study could be replicated in other areas engulfed with poverty and HIV/AIDS. To achieve the objectives of the study, a qualitative, descriptive and contextual research design was chosen. Data presented were collected during individual and focus -group interviews with 21 drop-in site personnel and 4 orphaned and vu lnerabl e children in two drop-in sites in eThekwini Region which is one of the 12 Regions in KwaZulu-Natal Province. The results will show that drop-in sites are not expensive to establish, operate, manage and are a sustainable alternative of caring and supporting vulnerable children and orphans in a local community by local citizens. Drop-in sites' maximum functionality in ensuring that vulnerable children and orphans access basic education hinges on the strengthening of coll aborative working relationships among various stakeholders in and outside government.