CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the Study

In recent times there has been a strong rise in the interest and prominence accorded to

the plight of Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) in Sub-Saharan Africa. In

Nigeria, children who need special protection on account of being in vulnerable

situations such as orphanhood and homelessness are observably increasing due to

growing levels of poverty and the poor socio-economic situation of the country.

According to Ringson (2022); & UNAIDS (2018) orphans and vulnerable children are

defined as children under the age of 18 years whose parent or both parents have died,

while vulnerable children are children with unfulfilled rights. Hence, vulnerable

children are defined as children with unfulfilled rights and mainly identified as

children with one parent or both deceased, children with disabilities and affected or

infected by HIV/AIDS (Ringson, 2022). At the same time, the National Action Plan

(2015-2020) adds that vulnerable children may also include the abused children, thus

sexually, physically and emotionally and abandoned children, children living in the

streets and married children. A joint report by the United Nations Program on HIV

and AIDS (UNAIDS), United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) and United States

Agency for International Development (USAID) (2018) maintain that millions of

children can be described as vulnerable due to the effects of illness, poverty, conflict,

disease and accidents. In the recent past however, the impact of the HIV/AIDS

pandemic has been the significant cause of the increase in OVC.

chronically ill parents or parents and the destitute as vulnerable children who are in

need of care and social support services. A lot of circumstances responsible for these

ugly incidences amongst other factors like abuse, neglect, death of parents, poverty,

harsh economic situation of their situation, HIV/AIDS or other health problems,

emotional or behavioural, difficulties and migration amongst others (UNICEF, 2015).

On account of the ugly separation of children from their parents, there are more than

183 million children living as orphans and vulnerable (OVC) worldwide and

significant numbers of these million children are in institutional care which are all

over in Sub-Saharan African countries Nigeria inclusive. The number of children in

these homes or outright homelessness’ are outrageous in Sub-Saharan Africa because

of the wide spread of poverty, bad economy and perennial ethnoreligious crises,

insurgency and other communal conflicts and disasters (Federal Ministry of Women

Affairs and Social Development, FMWASD, 2009; Community-Based Support for

Orphans and Vulnerable Children, 2009). Nigeria is noted for having highest number

of Orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) in the world (FMWASD), Moreover,

about a quarter (17.5 million) of Nigerian children are either orphaned or vulnerable

on account of unmet needs of basic necessities of life like food, shelter, education

emotional attachment, protection or care (UNICEF 2017). While homeless or

institutional centres children passed through soaring rates of short and prolong health

problems. This unabated burden and trauma of homelessness poses serious danger on

their psychic, personality evolution, self- esteem including their desires to learn and
become a successful adult member of their community (Elliot and Ruiz, 2014); Eliot,

2014; Bassul et al 2013).

Enugu State has a projected population of 4.9 million people according to World

Population Review (2025) out of the 220 million Nigerians. In this town, children that

need special protection on account of being in vulnerable conditions and situations

such as orphanhood and homeless are observably increasing. To ensure that the

orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) grow up under proper care and support is not

a sole responsibility of the government alone but also of their relatives and the general

public. In other words, the

society has a vital role to play in improving the conditions of the OVC, and by

extension

in drastically reducing the tendencies for the risks the children are exposed to, as well

as

on the communities and society. Therefore, this study is concerned with collective

societal efforts to improve the lives of orphans and vulnerable children in Enugu. It

specifically examines the activities of community-based associations,

identifying some of the strategies and methods they adopt in intervention, as well as

the

major challenges facing the associations.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

in community, family and at school. OVC in Nigeria face significant barriers to

accessing

education, primarily due to a lack of financial and educational support. Many OVC

come from impoverished backgrounds, where resources for education are scarce or

non-existent. Without adequate financial support, these children often struggle to

afford school fees, uniforms, books, and other educational materials, forcing them to

forego schooling or drop out prematurely (UNICEF, 2020).

Additionally, OVC are less likely to receive the educational support they need due to

the absence of parental guidance and advocacy, further exacerbating their educational

disadvantage (Adegbola, 2017). Motsa & Morojele (2016) propounds that

communities tend to stigmatise and discriminate against OVC because they associate

them with social ills such as poverty and HIV/AIDS. Some OVC lost both parents and

live-in child-headed households and have to simultaneously address family

responsibilities and meet school requirements (Nsibande, 2015).

The lack of educational support for OVC not only undermines their present well-being

but also hampers their future prospects and perpetuates cycles of poverty and

marginalization. Education is widely recognized as a key determinant of socio-

economic development, providing individuals with the knowledge, skills, and

opportunities necessary to improve their lives and contribute positively to society

(World Bank, 2018). However, without access to quality education, OVC are more

likely to experience lower educational attainment, limited employment opportunities,

and increased vulnerability to exploitation and abuse

responsibility of the government, but also of their relatives, the communities in which

they live, as well as the society at large. These community members have an

obligation to render all the necessary support needed in order to help the children live

a better life because failure to do so will have negative consequences as well as spill-

over effects that impact not only on the children but the community and society at

large. Fleming (2015) pointed out that OVC in countries with many cases of

HIV/AIDS experienced discrimination in accessing education and healthcare as

orphanhood is associated with HIV/AIDS. Fleming further argued that maternal and

double orphans are more discriminated against in accessing education than paternal

orphans (Fleming, 2015). Mwoma and Pillay (2015) opined that Lack of support in

education by parents/guardians will have a direct influence on how OVC perform in

education.

Many studies have been conducted on children: their rights, privileges, development,

and future. Others examine the causes, conditions, and prospects of orphans and

vulnerable children in Nigeria (for example Chinyenze, 2018; Adegbola 2017; Kotirde

and Yonus 2014; Linus 2015; Aluaigba 2009; Sambo 2012; the Rapid Assessment

Analysis Action Planning (RAAAP 2004, etc.) Similarly, a number of research has

been conducted on the progress and prospects of Nigerian cooperatives, self-help

organizations, international organization and non-governmental organizations (for

example McLoyd & Wilson 2017; UNICEF 2017; UNESCO 2016; Ringson 2022;

Hashim 2008). Nevertheless, little or no attention has been paid in Nigeria to the

dynamic relationships that led to the conditions of the OVC. Specifically, and more
importantly, collective societal response as intervention strategy for solidifying and

cementing relationships has been neglected or silenced. This study seeks to fill the

existing gaps as identified above.

1.3 Research Questions

The following research questions have been formulated from the statement of the

problem as a guide for this study:

1. What is the state of Orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) in Enugu State?

2. What role does the community or society play in improving on the lives of the

OVC?

3. What are the intervention techniques and initiatives, such as information

sharing, that the communities have embraced through NGOs' operations?

4. What are the relationships between the caregivers and the children cared-for?

5. What are the major challenges facing the organizations/Sources of funds to the

NGOs?

6. What is the influence of the caregiver socio-economic status on the OVC?

1.4 Research Objectives

Generally, the objectives of this study is to examine the conditions of Orphans and

vulnerable children (OVC) in Enugu State with a view to understand its dynamics,

magnitude, and

challenges. It is therefore the aim of the research to explore societal response to the
problem, identifying the collective role of community members in improving the

living conditions of the OVC in their areas. The specific objectives of this study

include the

attempt to:

1. Identify and discuss the conditions of (and challenges facing) Orphans and

vulnerable children (OVC) in Enugu State;

2. examine societal response to OVC situation specifically through the activities

of Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs);

3. identify the intervention techniques and initiatives, such as information sharing,

that the communities have embraced through NGOs' operations;

4. explore the methods and strategies the associations adopt in mobilizing

resources to run their activities;

5. examine the relationships between the caregivers and the children cared-for;

and

6. determine the impact of the caregiver socio-economic status on Orphans and

Vulnerable Children.

1.5 Significance of the Study

The significance of this research extends to multiple stakeholders involved in

addressing the societal response of the needs of orphan and vulnerable children (OVC)

in Nigeria. Orphanages play a crucial role in providing care and support to OVC, and

this study's findings can inform their practices by shedding light on effective

education support strategies tailored to the unique needs of these children. By

understanding the challenges OVC face in accessing education and the potential
solutions available, orphanages can enhance their efforts to promote educational

attainment among the children under their care, ultimately improving their long-term

outcomes and well-being.

Policy makers, both at the national and local levels, can benefit from the insights

provided by this research to inform the development and implementation of policies

and programs aimed at supporting OVC's needs. By highlighting the effectiveness of

existing interventions and identifying areas for improvement, policymakers can make

informed decisions to allocate resources more effectively, address systemic barriers to

education access, and promote inclusive policies that prioritize the needs of OVC.

Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) working in the field of child welfare support

can use the findings of this study to enhance their advocacy efforts and programmatic

interventions. By aligning their initiatives with evidence-based recommendations,

NGOs can maximize their impact and ensure that their interventions are targeted,

efficient, and responsive to the specific needs of OVC. Additionally, NGOs can use

the research findings to collaborate with other stakeholders, share best practices, and

advocate for policy changes that advance the rights and well-being of OVC.

Social institutions, including schools, community centers, and educational facilities,

can also benefit from this research by gaining a deeper understanding of the

challenges faced by OVC and the support mechanisms needed to facilitate their

educational success. By fostering a more inclusive and supportive environment for

OVC, social institutions can contribute to breaking the cycle of poverty and

marginalization, promoting social cohesion, and building a more equitable society.

societal response to the state of OVC in Nigeria, providing stakeholders with

evidence-based insights and recommendations to inform their practices and policies.

1.6 Operationalization of Concepts

For the purpose of this research, the following are definitions of some terms that will

be used

throughout the study.

State: Refers to the condition in which the Orphans and vulnerable children are, in

terms

of appearance, nutritional, psychological, health, social, etc. It will be used to describe

the state of being of the subjects under study.

OVC: PEPFAR refers an OVC as a child, 0-17 years old. It will be used to describe

either orphaned or vulnerable children who:

• Is HIV-positive;

• Lives without adequate adult support (e.g., in a household with chronically ill

parents, a household that has experienced a recent death from chronic illness, a

household headed by a grandparent, and/or a household headed by a child);

• Lives outside of family care (e.g., in residential care or on the streets); or

• Is marginalized, stigmatized, or discriminated against under the study.

Response: This term will be used to illustrate the attitudes including actions and

inactions of the community towards the orphans and vulnerable children. It

encompasses the methods or strategies that the people adopt to identify, reform,

interfere, or intervene to alleviate consequences of orphanhood and vulnerability.

encompasses many forms of discrimination, disregard, insult, control, exploitation,

oppression, and violence within the family, and at times at work place in the society.

Community-Based Organizations (CBOs): These are non-profit associations

established with the major objective of improving the lives of the needy, marginalized,

and under privileged ones. They are organizations that have array of numerous

activities, based on the purposes of establishment, available resources, and so on.

CBOs usually register at the local and state government levels. Throughout this study,

the concept of CBO used is interchangeably with Non-Governmental Organizations

(NGOs) and Grassroots Associations.

Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs): These are private organizations that act

towards some common, humanitarian purpose. They work towards improving the

quality of life for humans usually in their communities and beyond. They duly register

with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), a government regulatory body for the

activities of corporations. Some of the NGOs rely on foreign aid to run their

organizations. In this study, NGOs are seen as a body providing services for OVCs

Intervention: An emerging program focusing on reducing or eliminating a social

problem. It is the particular provision that NGOs introduce to interfere with force to

solve some of the problems orphans face due to ineffectiveness of the existing family

or government structures.

Strategy: A plan or series of maneuvers for obtaining a specific goal or results. It is

the
plan or scheme that the CBOs devised or used to gain an advantage or attain the goal

of

identifying and assisting OVC in the study area.

Method: A procedure, technique, or way of achieving desired goals, especially with

definite plan. It implies a manner or mode of procedure, logically and systematically

followed by associations to attain desired objective.

Technique: This is a manner and ability with which members of the society follow to

accomplish certain goals of impacting the lives of underprivileged children. It is a

method of performance by which associations employ to skilfully achieve their set

objectives.