Policy implications of the inadequate support systems for orphans in Western Kenya

This paper describes the support systems available for orphans in a rural L uo community in Nyang'oma sub-location in Bondo District of Western Kenya. Qualitative data were collected through in-depth interviews with orphaned c hildren and their caretakers as well as key informants, and through focus g roup discussions with orphaned children, widows and community elders. Quant itative data were obtained by questionnaires administered to 100 caretakers of orphaned children. The most serious problem was inability of the orphan households to afford school fees, although lack of food, medicare and clot hing were also prominent. The traditional, kinship-based support systems ma de a major contribution to catering for the orphans though the resources we re far from enough. Various community-based groups in the area did not cont ribute significantly. The problem is getting desperate due to a combination of an exponentially increasing prevalence of orphans, poor socio-economic conditions and decline of the traditional support systems. For health plann ers and policy makers there are two major concerns. In the short term, a bi g and rapidly growing group of children are without adequate access to heal th services, while in the long term, the negative consequences for (in part icular the girl) orphans' schooling pose a serious threat to the health of their future children. Based on the study findings, two recommendations are made: that the responsible parties address the issue of education for orph ans rapidly and sufficiently and with due consideration of their food secur ity and medicare; and that potential community resources such as kinship ne tworks and community groups are mobilised in order to assist in achieving t he goal. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.