THERESIA KAVULI KINAI, KENYATTA UNIVERSITY PSYCHOSOCIAL SUPPORT FOR ORPHANS IN EMBAKASI VILLAGE OF NAIROBI COUNTY, KENYA THERESIA KAVULI KINAI, KENYATTA UNIVERSITY

ORPHANS

INTRODUCTION There are more than 1.8 million orphans in Kenya. Their life is unpredictable. They are grieving and sad. They are very lonely and withdrawn. They may be aggressive and delinquent

IMPACT OF PARENTS’ DEATH Lack protection & parental guidance Inadequate diet, poor shelter & basic needs. Inadequate health care :Cannot afford medicines and doctor’s fees. Poor education : absenteeism, no school levies, stationery and massive examination failure.

Objectives of the study Find out the problems of orphans. Investigate the psycho social support for orphans. Suggest ways to enhance development & welfare of orphans.

METHODOLOGY Research design: A descriptive survey. Sample: 650 orphans and 24 teachers from 10schools. Research instruments: Questionnaires for pupils and teachers Interview for teachers Document analysis of school records .

RESULTS Grief 100% Lack of homework support 53%, Absenteeism by orphans 38%. Low self-esteem 18.1% Sexual exploitation 18.1%, Loneliness 11%, Discrimination 9.6%, Physical abuse 3 %, Withdrawal 1.1%. Females more absent than the males 21% vs. 17%.

RESULTS ON ENHANCING LIFE OF ORPANS Interventions Freq. % Remedial teaching 9 37.5 Expressive arts therapy 8 33.3 Educational guidance 6 25.o Group counselling 6 25.0 Play therapy 5 20.8 School feeding programme 4 16.7

RECOMMENDATIONS Counselors to organize should expressive arts therapy group grief counseling sessions. Counsellors should facilitate orphans to go through the tasks in mourning Teach orphans the RESTORE formula Local authorities to provide school feeding program in all the schools. Civic education to create awareness of the care and rights of children. Government should enforce laws treatment of children. Schools. Local authorities should provide feeding programs in all schools.

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