PERCEPTIONS OF CHILDREN AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS CONCERNING THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF ORPHANS IN RURAL ZIMBABWE

Focus group discussions and interviews were held with 40 orphans, 25 c aretakers and 33 other community workers from a rural area near Mutare , Zimbabwe. Orphan concerns included feeling different om other childr en, stress, stigmatization, exploitation, schooling, lack of visits an d neglect of support responsibilities by relatives. Many community mem bers, while recognizing their limitations due to poverty, were already actively helping orphans and caretakers. Extended family networks are the primary resource for orphans, though some relatives exploit orpha ns or fail to fulfil their responsibilities. Interventions are suggest ed which support community coping mechanisms by strengthening the capa cities of families to care for orphans. Outside organizations can deve lop partnerships with community groups, helping them to respond to the impact of AIDS, by building upon existing concern for orphan families . They can help affected communities to develop orphan support activit ies which encourage caring responses by community leaders and relative s and which discourage property-grabbing and orphan neglect. Material support channelled through community groups to destitute families at c ritical times can strengthen family coping mechanisms. Income-generati ng activities should build upon communities' existing capabilities and benefit the most vulnerable orphan households. Some communities are r esponding to the AIDS disaster by adaptations to cope with devastating changes taking place in their communities.