How Faith-Based Organisations Assist HIV/AIDS Orphans with their Academic Work: Botswana Perspective

Abstract

This study investigated how Faith-Based Organizations (FBOs) in Botswana assisted HIV/AIDS orphans with their academic work. The study notes that traditionally, the extended family system was the cornerstone of the social security system that cared for orphans. However, as a result of the HIV/AIDs epidemic, the extended family system is no longer able to adequately provide for the physical, psycho-social, emotional and academic needs of the orphans. The study used a mixed research approach that combined qualitative and quantitative techniques and collected data from two FBOs located in two peri-urban areas. The key findings revealed that orphanhood negatively affects the academic performance of the learners especially through lack of concentration in class caused by thinking about their deceased parents. Finally, the study calls for a systematic integration of spiritual and psycho-social support in the orphan care programme and the need to attend to the educational needs of the orphans.

Keywords: Faith-Based Organisations, Academic Performance, HIV/AIDS, Orphans, Guidance, Counselling, Ethics, Care.