The plight of orphans in Faraja Muhondwa Masters of Arts in (Development Studies) University of , College of Social Sciences, 2010

This study investigated the availability and access to basic services to orphans from poor households in rural wards in Kinondoni District. The study was conducted in four public schools in Goba ward and in two public schools in Mbweni ward, i.e. two secondary and two primary schools in Goba ward, and one primary and a secondary school in Mbweni ward. The sample constituted a total of 110 respondents, i.e. 78 orphans, 30 care takers and two Community Development Officers. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews with orphans and Community Development Officers and focus group discussions with orphans’ care takers. The findings revealed that orphans from poor households in rural wards had problems in availing and accessing basic services including food, medical treatment and school needs. That situation forced them to do casual menial jobs for survival, for example, fetching water in construction sites, working in quarries, farming, selling small items, purchasing items in bulk from wholesale shops in town for retailing on behalf of shop owners in the area and doing domestic works. Furthermore, the study indicated that orphans had other problems like psychological problems, mistreated by guardians, being poor, lack of community support and lack of inheritance rights. Lastly, the study recommends to the government, community, teachers, guardians, NGOs and other institutions to improve orphans’ welfare.