CHALLENGES FACED BY CHILD-HEADED HOUSEHOLDSA CASE STUDY OF MASAKA DISTRICT IN SOUTH -WESTERN UGANDA

Abstract

Children are the future generation of Uganda and any economical, social and emotional negative impact affects their wellbeing and their development into future generation that will serve the country. Therefore, the government has to develop effective strategies to support the CHHs, which will help in reducing the burden that extended families and child-heads of households are carrying.

The main objective of this study was to ascertain the economic, social and emotional challenges confronting CHHs as rights-holders in providing for their households needs and how these challenges can be addressed in Masaka District in South- western Uganda. The study was conducted by collecting reliable data using qualitative research design methods. The study population was the child-heads of households, consisting of 15 CHHs and other key people concerned in Masaka District in South-western Uganda. The study considered only child-heads of households of 10–18 years because these are the ages that were found to be in charge of their families after the death of their parents or guardians and any Ugandan above 18 years is considered an adult. The study focused on unaccompanied and accompanied CHHs.

Based on research findings, the main cause of CHHs was HIV/AIDs. The pandemic has claimed most of the adults living behind few adults to take care of orphans yet the number of orphans is increasing without corresponding numbers of adults to take care of them. The children left behind by the deceased have ended up living alone without adult support, taking over responsibility of the household and their younger siblings at an earlier age without enough preparation for adult world. The findings shows that chidheads of households face a number of challenges that included: difficulties in earning a sufficient livelihood, inadequate education, limited food and proper housing, vulnerability to sexual abuse, emotional distress and loneliness, lack of parental love and care that deprive them of their rights. The study results have shown that most of the work done to support CHHs was done by churches and NGOs like World Vision.