I COMPETENCIES of CHILD HEADS HOUSEHOLDS: a CASE STUDY

COMPETENCIES OF CHILD HEADS HOUSEHOLDS: A CASE STUDY OF BAMUNANIKA SUB COUNTY, LUWEERO DISTRICT

BY NAMUTEBI MARGRET 16/U/9584/PS

A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED TO THE COLLEGE OF HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES MAKERERE UNIVERSITY IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE BACHELORS DEGREE OF SOCIAL WORK AND SOCIAL ADMINISTRATION

2019

DECLARATION

APPROVAL

DEDICATION

I dedicate this work to my family most especially my mother for the care, hard work and their determination towards helping me to attain quality education at Makerere University. With utmost gratitude, I extend my sincerity to her and may the Almighty GOD bless the work of her hands.

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I thank God who has been always with me and also provided the knowledge, wisdom and skills that enabled me to complete this piece of work. I would like to extend my gratitude to Dr. LUWANGULA RONALD for the untiring effort, encouragement, guidance and assistance as well as being patient with me. Special thanks goes to my aunt Mrs. NAJJUMA RUTH and my mother Mrs. NAMUTEBI MARGERT for always being there for me in all situations and at all times with uncountable assistance, support and care from childhood to present day, it’s my prayer that the Almighty GOD rewards them.

TABLE OF CONTENTS DECLARATION ...... i APPROVAL ...... ii DEDICATION ...... iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ...... iv ABSTRACT ...... viii ABBREVIATIONS/ ACRONYMS...... ix

CHAPTER ONE ...... 1 INTRODUCTION ...... 1 1.1 Introduction ...... 1 1.2 Background of the study ...... 1 1.3 Problem statement ...... 3 1.4 Research objective ...... 3 1.4.1 General objective ...... 3 1.4.2 Specific objectives ...... 3 1.5 Research questions ...... 3 1.6 Significance or rationale of my research proposal ...... 4 1.7 Scope of the study ...... 4 1.8 Definitions of key terms...... 4

CHAPTER TWO ...... 6 LITERATURE REVIEW ...... 6 2.0 Introduction ...... 6 2.1 Competencies ...... 6 2.2 Vulnerability of child headed households...... 6 2.3 Experiences of children in child headed households ...... 7 2.4 Challenges children living in child headed households face ...... 8

CHAPTER THREE ...... 10 METHODOLOGY ...... 10 3.0 Introduction ...... 10 3.1 Study design ...... 10 3.2 Area of study ...... 10

3.3 Study population ...... 10 3.4 Sampling ...... 10 3.4.1 Sample size ...... 11 3.5 Data collection methods and tools ...... 11 3.5.1In-depth Interview guides ...... 11 3.6 Data collection procedure ...... 11 3.7 Data analysis ...... 11 3.8 Ethical considerations ...... 11 3.8 Limitations of the study ...... 12

CHAPTER FOUR ...... 13 PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS ...... 13 4.0 Introduction ...... 13 4.1 Socio demographic characteristics ...... 13 4.2 Livelihood competencies of child heads of house hold ...... 13 4.2.1 Sources of livelihood ...... 14 4.2.2 How child heads manage their households ...... 19 4.2.3 How child heads sustained their households ...... 21 4.3 Emotional competencies of child heads of households ...... 23 4.3.1Capacity to cope with the challenges of living without an adult care giver ...... 23 4.3.2 Overgrowing the tendency of looking for sympathy or crying for an adult care giver ...... 25 4.3.3 Motivation to go on when the situation becomes worse ...... 27 4.4 Social networks related competencies ...... 28 4.4.1 Enablement of child heads to establish relationships ...... 28 4.5 Contribution of the relationships child heads have to their well being ...... 31 4.5.1 Economic support ...... 31 4.5.2 Emotional support ...... 32 4.5.4 Social support...... 34 4.6 Uniqueness of child heads that enables them to survive each day ...... 34

CHAPTER FIVE ...... 38 SUMMARY OF THE FINDINGS, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS ...... 38 5.0 Introduction ...... 38 5.1 Summary of the findings ...... 38

5.2 Conclusion ...... 39 5.3 Recommendations ...... 39 REFERENCES ...... 41

APPENDICES ...... 45 APPENDIX I: INTERVIEW GUIDE FOR CHILD HEADS AND THEIR SIBLINGS IN LUWERO DISTRICT ...... 45 APPENDIX II: INTERVIEW GUIDE FOR KEY INFORMANTS IN LUWERO DISTRICT .. 47 APPENDIX III: INTRODUCTION LETTER...... 48

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ABSTRACT

This study focused on the competencies of child heads of households in Bamunanika Sub County Luweero district. The study aimed at documenting the livelihood and emotional competencies of child heads of households plus the ability of child heads to establish social networks through which they are able to receive different forms of support. A cross sectional explorative study design using only qualitative methods was used to in undertaking the study. The study participants included child heads of households and an opinion leader, one Para-social worker, a Community Development Officer plus two secretaries for children affairs. The study findings demonstrated the sources of livelihood of child heads which included own farming, supply of farm labour, water supply among others; indicators of emotional competencies which included; increasing sense of independence, acceptance of the situation, patience among others and lastly social network competencies like interacting positively and getting along with others, respecting and appreciating others, ability to work and communicate well with others. Based on the findings, the study recommends that the community leaders should mobilise and raise awareness in the community about the existence of child heads and their households and on the ways these children should be helped out. The social protection actors should start paying more attention to the strengths among child heads of households than their weaknesses to enable them get empowered to raise their standards of living and improve their quality of life.

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ABBREVIATIONS/ ACRONYMS

UNICEF United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund

UNHS United Nations Household Survey

AIDS Acquired immune Difficiency Symdrome

NGOs Non government organisations

WHO World health organization

CHH Child headed households

CHs Child heads

UBOS Uganda bureau of statistics

UN United Nations

MGLSD Ministry of Gender Labour and Social Development

HIV Human Immune Virus

UNAIDS Joint United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS

IFRC International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

UNFPA United Nations Population Fund

MFPED Ministry of Finance and Economic Development

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Introduction

As the future lays in any investment in child heads of households, for various reasons children are entitled a right to protection but instead of enjoying this right they go on to carry out the responsibility of children under their care. Quite often the focus on these children is on the challenges, differences without necessarily paying attention to the competencies in spite their situation (Walakira and Ddumba Nyanzi 2012, ACORD 2005).

1.2 Background of the study

The Cconvention of the Rights of Children Article 9 and article 19 of the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of Children guarantee children the right to live with their parents. Particularly children who end up in child headed households are unable to enjoy such a right, some of the circumstances that prohibit children from enjoying such a right are orphan hood, HIV/AIDs, child labour, high levels of vulnerability among others (UNICEF 2014, Collins and Wonjeong Chae 2016). Globally and in Africa the percentage of child headed households is not clearly stipulated though some countries like South Africa, Rwanda, Botswana among others have computed their own statistics on child headed households i.e.58,000, 100,000, 160,000 respectively ( Katherine Hall 2018 &UNICEF 2008;2012). Over 32,130 children aged 10-17 years are household heads in Uganda, in Luwero the number of child headed households are 802 and 312 child headed households are in Bamunanika sub county, Luwero district (UNHS 2009/2010; 2017). There are variety of factors that contribute to this phenomenon and the leading factor is HIV/AIDs whereby 17million children globally are orphans, 90% of these children live in Sub Sahara Africa and in Uganda it is estimated that 1.6million orphans are said to be orphaned by HIV/AIDS( UNAIDS 2007;2014). High individualistic tendencies, also challenge any attempts that promote particularly alternative care for children yet the consequences of children who head households are quite severe for

example child marriage, child labor, child poverty among others (Walakira and Ddumba 2012; Pillay 2013). Despite the consensual view that children who head households go through a lot for example prostitution practiced by young girls who are looking for means to sustain their households, poor living conditions ,disinheritance, psychological disorders among others, their competencies are often overlooked(Mashes and Mugumbate 2015; Fice 2010). Competencies are the abilities to do something successfully or efficiently that is to say they are a set of demonstrable characteristics and skills that enable and improve efficiency of performance of everything done by a person (Cheryl 2015). Talking about child heads, it's the ability of these children to take on the duties, responsibilities and cope with all the challenges that come along with heading a household that is to say all the roles that would have been carried out by a mother, father or guardian are taken on by these children for example taking care of sick siblings, looking for basic needs, looking for school fees, guidance of siblings among others (Johnstone et al 2014). So child heads are emotionally competent and this is proved by the following indicators; the way they manage themselves, being aware of their weaknesses and strength themselves among others and this enables them to recognise, interpret and constructively respond to emotions within themselves and to others hence making the members of the household to become contented and not regrettable of the absence of an adult caregiver or of orphan hood (Dusenbury2015). The livelihood competencies are exhibited in child heads through the sources of livelihood like they carry out which pave way to their success and also sustain their households (Ian Scoones 2016). Social network related competencies are also part of child heads since from the relationships they make are availed many opportunities like social capital among others which uphold their households (Chery 2019). Some of the indicators that show how child heads are competent are; adapting to change, creating new ideas on how to head the household, making sound decision as regards to matters arising in the household among others. The issue of child heads is a national wide one and different parts of the country are affected differently not leaving out Bamunanika Sub County in Luweero as one of the parts affected by this.

It’s upon this background that this study intends to explore the competencies that these children who head households present with as they carry out their responsibilities towards fellow children.

1.3 Problem statement

As children grow they are affected to realize particular mile stones in their physical, cognitive and behavioral dimensions of development, however the environment in which they grow matters a lot. The environment in which children who grow up in child headed households are exposed to bears a lot of information to the kind of outcomes they realize (Kessi 2011; Pillay 2013). Previous research on child headed households has for long focused on negative aspects for example Lack of access to basic needs, increased risk of malnutrition and starvation, lack of grief support among others in a way these give an impression that children heading households are only associated with negative outcomes without necessary focusing on their competencies(Madhavan and Townsend 2007). Without paying attention to and appreciating the competencies of children who head households, it is difficult to think about the interventions that tap into such competencies, this represents the missed resources and opportunities.

1.4 Research objective

1.4.1 General objective

To find out the competencies of child heads of households in Bamunanika sub county

1.4.2 Specific objectives

To find out the livelihood competencies of child heads of households in Bamunanika sub county. To find out the emotional competencies of child heads of households in Bamunanika sub county. To explore the ability child heads of households have to establish social networks through which they are able to receive different forms of supports in Bamunanika Sub County.

1.5 Research questions

What are the livelihood competencies of child heads of households in Bamunanika Sub County? What are the emotional competencies of child heads of households in Bamunanika Sub County? 3

What ability do child heads of households have to establish social networks through which they are able to receive different forms of support in Bamunanika Sub County?

1.6 Significance or rationale of my research proposal

The research proposal will help me to fulfill the demands of my degree since it’s one of the requirements required by Makerere University from me in partial fulfillment of a bachelor of social works and social administration. The research proposal will help the university in building on the existing body of knowledge and it will also promote better research for further management and also throw more knowledge on the topic hence providing more knowledge to the researchers.

1.7 Scope of the study

The content of the study is the competencies of children who head households and the geographical coverage of the study in Luweero district a case study of Bamunanika Sub County and my population of interest is children aged 9 years to 18years of age who head households. And the time frame of this study is six months since its results are intended to extend knowledge and its research for academicians’ i.e. basic research.

1.8 Definitions of key terms

According to UNICEF a child is a person below the age of 18years, unless the laws of a particular country set the legal age of adulthood. A child in Uganda’s constitution refers to any person who is below 18years of age. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines child abuse and child maltreatment as all forms of physical and or emotional ill treatment, sex abuse, neglect or negligent treatment or commercial or other forms of exploitation resulting in actual potential harm to the child’s health, survival and development or dignity. According to the UN a child refers to the human being below the age of 18 years unless the law applicable to the child, majority is attained. The UN defines a family as a natural fundamental group unity of a society and is entitled to protection by the society and state.it goes ahead to define a child headed family as a family in which a minor (child or adolescent) has become a head of a household and its common in

developing countries and areas of the war where children’s parents have been killed by diseases or conflicts. The UN human right Bureau tries to balance the longstanding of the family that dates back to the funding of the UN and effectively defines the family for purposes of international law and policy with a household classified as a one person household, an arrangement in which one person makes provision for his or her own food or essentials for living without combining with any other person to form part of a person. A household is composed of 1 or more of people who occupy a housing unit. The US census bureau defines a family household to consist of two or more individuals who are related by birth, marriage, or adoption although they also include other unrelated people. Competencies are personal specifications which effect on a better performance (Bellm. D 2007). A vulnerable child is a child under the age of 18 years whose mother, father, both parents and a primary care giver has died and who is in need of care or protection (Namibian Government definition 2002). The IFRC defines vulnerability as the diminished capacity of an individual or group to anticipate, cope with, resist and recover from the impact of a natural or manmade hazard.

CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW

2.0 Introduction

This chapter presents a review of the existing published literature on competencies, vulnerability of child headed households, experiences of children in child headed households and challenges that these children face while in these households.

2.1 Competencies

Competencies are used to the inform what and are therefore an important area of professional development, this means the knowledge, skills and dispositions necessary to effectively function in a role (Buysse et al 2009). These are divided into three that is; Livelihood competencies which encompasses people's capabilities like talents, assets like land, income and activities like tailoring required to secure the necessities of life hence improving people's qualities of life and raising their standards (Manlosa 2019) Emotional competencies are the essential social skills to recognise, interpret and respond constructively to emotions in yourself and others for example self-awareness, being empathetic among others which help in the smooth running of day to day activities and maintenance of good relationships among people (Dusenbury 2015). And lastly is social competencies which mean being at ease around others and determines one's ability to effectively and successfully lead and express for example communicating with others and easily establishing rapport with others among others and this helps in helping each other to come out of challenging situations die to the support from the relationships formed and also celebrating of the achievements people get in life with others hence living am exemplary life which inspires others to follow your life style hence being able to prevent and overcome a lot of challenging situations (Cheryl 2019).

2.2 Vulnerability of child headed households

Children's right to protection continues to be a critical challenge given that 8% of the children in Uganda are critically vulnerable and 43% are moderately vulnerable (MGLSD 2011 and UBOS 2014).

Child heads are one of the groups of children who fall in the vulnerability trap hence being exposed to different forms of violence and abuse (UNHS 2012/13). Most of the children who live in child headed households face high levels of vulnerability associated with poverty which affect their lives in general for example their attendance at school is often interrupted by the responsibilities and roles, this mostly affects the child heads of these households for example acting as a leader, counsellor and parent at once to siblings thus leaving some of these children with no option but to drop out of school in order which also leads to difficult in getting employment opportunities hence leading to economic hardships throughout their entire life span (UNICEF 2014). Most of the care, responsibility of siblings and sometimes sick parents are carried out by female children thus resulting into depression, leading to withdrawal, sadness, isolation, moodiness which affects their behaviours, some go on to hate people around them, others go on to get angry easily even without any issue among others (Malinga 2002). The death of parents, abandonment of these children by the extended family members, discrimination of children from child headed households by their fellow age mates and the community makes these children grow up without adult attention, supervision and love, feel helpless, hopeless, uncertain about personal safety, in disciplined hence exposing them to the risks of demotivation and low self-esteem thus making some of the young girls from these household vulnerable to unsafe sex and unexpected pregnancies (Thandazile 2015). Child headed households are not so much acknowledged in the society hence leading to their invisibility since children from these households are often discriminated and stigmatized by society that is to say harassing and bullying them at school among others hence allowing society to dehumanize them (Collins 2016).

2.3 Experiences of children in child headed households

Children in child headed households withstand all the challenges, risks and problems that come with these households hence making their experiences bad and stigmatising for example spending some days without food, dropping out of school, being ignored by the community, sickness of some of their siblings, thus resulting into psychological disorders like depression to these children (Gubwe and Mago 2017).

Children who experience poverty are vulnerable to abuse, neglect and violence need alternative care which is inadequate in that it leads to separation of children from their siblings and families among other issues hence leading to emergency of child headed households (Walakira and Ddumba-Nyanzi 2012). The rights of living with children living in Child headed households are systematically violated hence leading to physical and emotional abuse of these children in society (Charlotte Phillips 2011).

2.4 Challenges children living in child headed households face

Children in child headed households face a lot of challenges due to their situation or the state they are positioned in and one of them is difficulty of dealing with stigma of family members being sick or dead due to HIV/AIDs, most the children in child headed households don't have a person to encourage them go in with life when they face problems hence making their stay on earth a living hell (Campbell et al 2012) Lack of grief support and social support from their communities since most of the people in the communities are also facing difficulties in their lives like poverty thus leaving these children with no one to lean on (Pillay, VanDijk and Van Driel 2012) Increased risk of malnutrition and starvation due to lack of food since most of these children have no permanent jobs which they can stand on when hard times surface (Madhavan and Townsend 2007) Poor school performance of these children due to the very many demanding and unfinished issues these children leave at home hence affecting their attention in class since they are thinking about where they are going to get supper among other issues (Guoli and sherry 2012) Child labor is also a challenge that many children in child headed households have no choice but to work as laborers than attend school hence at the eve of their adolescence they may resort to indecent means of earning survival like prostitution and child labor. The highest rate of child labor is at 50 %( in urban centers) and 30% in rural areas. (UBOS 2005). Lack of basic needs; Children from child headed households find difficult in accessing needs like food, clothes among others (Mukomane 2015). Exploitation is also a bigger challenge to children in child headed households. Children in CHHs do very heavy work and are not paid since employers look at them as vulnerable and needy.

Inaddition girls are approached by men for sexual favors in exchange with food and money (Maushe and Mugumbate 2015) They also face psychological problems whereby children in CHHs cannot forget memories of their deceased parents; these children suffer feelings of loneliness, depression, desperation with stress associated with shouldering an adult role at a young age, low self-esteem, fear and a sense of alienation (Phillips 2011). Lack of protection and parental supportt, children in CHHs often face problems that need parental assistance on centrally they don’t have anyone to protect them from (Nanfuka .E. 2010). Stigma and discrimination, social exclusion and stigma attached to HIV, most children in CHHs are vulnerable to sexual exploitation. These children are also afraid of seeking social services like education, health among others (Bequele . A. 2007). Disinheritance, children who are solely responsible for their siblings, struggle not only to support the household but also to keep their homes but relatives left behind go on to grab the property left for children by their deceased relatives (Jace Pillay 2016). Poor living conditions, children in CHHs live in very poor condition that is they look very malnourished and stunted, they also wear tattered clothes and some of their houses are in deplorable conditions (Luzze .F. 2002). Synthesis of emerging gaps From the findings by some scholars focused on competencies of people in general (Bellm 2005). It was also found that most of the studies that were conducted concentrated more on how vulnerable children in child headed households were (Pillay 2016). Other studies concentrated on the experiences of children in child headed households (Schamberg 2009). Most of the studies concentrated on the challenges in other wards the problems the children in child headed households face but all in all, every study concluded showing how vulnerable these children were (Gubwe 2017) hence this study specializing in how competent child heads are in terms of livelihood, emotions and social networking.

CHAPTER THREE

METHODOLOGY

3.0 Introduction

In this chapter the research methodology used in the study was described. The geographical area where the study was conducted, the study design and the population and sample were described. The instruments used to collect data including methods which were implemented to maintain validity and reliability of the instruments were described. It also explained how data was managed and analyzed, the ethical considerations and finally the study limitations.

3.1 Study design

The cross sectional study took an exploratory and descriptive design because it involved collecting data at one point in time. This design was more feasible for in depth probing. The study was explorative in that it aimed at obtaining the views of participants about the competences of child heads in households.

3.2 Area of study

This study was carried out in Bamunanika a sub county of Luwero district in central Uganda. It was carried out in this area because there were 312 child headed households and this number was just enough to find out these children’s competencies.

3.3 Study population

The population from which the sample size was drawn included both primary that is to say child heads and their siblings because they were the people who experienced both the consequences and the privileges that came with child headed households and secondary participants that is to say the key informants for example the secretary children affairs, CDO,s, Para social workers and opinion leaders because they were the best people to contact regarding matters concerning child headed households in their communities.

3.4 Sampling

The sampling included random sampling of the child heads, their siblings and key informants

3.4.1 Sample size

Purposive sampling was used whereby two parishes from Bamunanika Sub County were chosen and only those people who were able to fulfill the required criteria were included. Ten child heads that is four female, six male child heads and five key informants that is one opinion leader, a community development officer, two secretaries for children affairs and one Para-social worker were interviewed.

3.5 Data collection methods and tools

Data collection is a systemic way of gathering information, which is relevant to the research purpose or questions (Burn& Grove 2007). The researcher only used qualitative data collection methods that is interviewing.

3.5.1In-depth Interview guides

In-depth interviews were conducted using interview guides for both primary respondents and secondary respondents including both semi-structured and structured questions which were used in obtaining information from the participants. Questions were asked on one on one and suggested probes for following up on the research topic.

3.6 Data collection procedure

The researcher introduced herself to the respondents with a written copy of the introductory letter from the school of social sciences, explained the purpose of the study and its objectives to respondents then sought permission from the study participants to obtain information from them and also encouraged them to participate and co-operate effectively and ensured them that there would be total privacy and confidentiality of the information gathered and collected from them.

3.7 Data analysis

Data was analyzed using a thematic approach whereby key themes and sub themes were identified thus data from different respondents was classified and organised along these themes.

3.8 Ethical considerations

The study was approved by a supervisor from the department of social work and social administration to be carried out as “research” and was initiated only after receiving written

approval from Makerere University School of Humanities and Social Sciences’ Research and Ethics Committee. Informed consent prior to interviews was sought and in the process the respondents were informed of their right to privacy and to refuse participation was respected and also the right to withdraw if they felt uncomfortable when answering the questions.

Confidentiality was ensured through conducting interviews at home which allowed respondents to discuss freely on sensitive topics and access to study data was restricted to only the study team and no individual respondents were identified.

There were no direct benefits to respondents for participating in this study.

3.8 Limitations of the study

The researcher faced a challenge of limited funds to carry out the research because she was a student who didn't have a consistent source of income.

The researcher encountered hard time revealing data from respondents due to their ethic of maintaining privacy for their issues.

The researcher faced a challenge of inadequate time to carry out the research, since a lot of data was required to be collected in a short period of time.

The researcher also faced a challenge of unfair weather conditions which delayed appointments and improper movements during data collection.

CHAPTER FOUR

PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS

4.0 Introduction

This chapter presents the findings of the study that explored the competencies of children who head households in Bamunanika Sub County. The findings are presented thematically based on emerging themes and sub themes from the data guided by the research objectives. Data presented is further analysed followed by discussions of the same.

4.1 Socio demographic characteristics

The socio demographic characteristics of the study included the following variables; age, sex and the position of the participants in the society.

Position of the participants in the society The participants interviewed were child heads of households, an opinion leader, and secretaries for children affairs, a Community Development Officer and a Para-social worker.

Age Five child heads were seventeen years, two were sixteen years, two were fifteen years and one was fourteen years. One key informant was fifty years, another one was forty years, the next one was thirty nine years, the fourth one was thirty five years and the last one was twenty nine years.

Sex Four child heads were female, six were male, three key informants were female and two were male.

4.2 Livelihood competencies of child heads of house hold

In an attempt to understand the livelihood competencies of child heads of households, the researcher explored the sources of livelihood adopted by these child heads; how they managed and sustained their households.

4.2.1 Sources of livelihood

A number of livelihood sources were identified by the study participants. These include; own farming, supply of farm labour, vocational jobs, hawking; hair dressing, laundry, cattle keeping, water supply, scrap and bottle collecting, construction work, saving, poultry keeping, working in a farmer's market.

Own farming Some of the child heads carry out their own farming through which they get food to feed their households as said by some children; "My sister and I always go to the garden in the morning at 6am and then in the evening after school" (female 17 year old child head).

Through cultivating own food and other crops, children indicated that they are able to obtain money from sale of produce and subsequently able to meet the basic needs. "We obtain our livelihood through digging. We get both food and money to meet our basic needs" (Male 16 year child head).

It was also confirmed by one of the secretaries for children affairs that most the child heads depend on their own farming as a source of livelihood. "Most of these children depend on farming that is to say they dig to get food for their households and money to meet their basic needs"(a female 40 year old secretary for children affairs).

Supply of farm labour

Most of the child heads are hired by community members to help them in times of planting and harvesting, through doing so they are able to secure money to educate themselves and their siblings plus buying home needs like salt among others as said by most of these children; "I work in people's gardens of different farmers which has helped me get money to educate my siblings and buy basic needs which are lacking at home"(Male 17 year child head).

Working for community members during the seasons of planting and harvesting has led to securing of some money which has supported a number of households financially.

“I am also hired by the farmers when it's time for planting and harvesting to help them and with this job comes the highest amount of money which supports my household” (Male 17 year child head).

Another participant went on to prove how most of the child heads survive on the mercies of being hired by farmers. "Most of the child heads survive on the mercy of being hired by farmers" (Male 29 year opinion leader).

Vocational jobs The findings show that some child heads depend on vocational jobs like mechanics, hair dressing, construction work and tailoring which are able to provide money to these child heads although they take long to bring in income but when a day dawns it sums up all the time spent waiting. This was demonstrated by some child heads who said; "I also know how to plait women's hair and since we are being troubled by poverty in the village people take long to change their hair but once in a while I get customers who pay me much money which is able to sum up all the time spent waiting for the customer"(Male 17 year child head).

Another participant went on to show how working in a garage has acted as his source of livelihood. "I work in a garage as a mechanic where I get money to take care of all my house hold needs"(Male 17 year old child head). Other participants accessed livelihood through working as construction workers on buildings being constructed in their areas and this was proved by some participants. "Some child heads are construction workers" (Male 50 year old secretary for children affairs). "They also go on to work on buildings that are built in the area" (Female 39 year old community development officer).

Hawking This activity is one of the activities that were identified as a source of livelihood by the child heads and this was confirmed by some participants; "Child heads also go on to get livelihood from the engagement of their siblings in activities like fetching water, digging and hawking items for shop attendants like soap, handkerchiefs among others" (Female 16 year child head).

Laundry Some child heads carry out this livelihood activity as a supplement to other activities like farming hence securing money which helped them to run the household hence saying; "Washing clothes for people, this work is very rare but at the same time difficult because when I get clothes to wash, they are very dirty since people dig and wear the same clothes for a week"(Female 17 year child head).

By carrying out other activities like washing clothes child heads are able to meet their demanding needs. "Child heads also carry out some activities to back up farming like fetching for people water, washing clothes for people, babysitting among other activities"(Female 35 Para Social worker).

Cattle keeping The findings show that this livelihood activity is mostly carried out by male child heads although some girls have also embarked on carrying it out as they say; "My parents left hens and gardens of bananas, cassava, sweet potatoes, beans, groundnuts and 5 cows so I use these to take care of the household, other children in the household are also engaged in farming, poultry and cattle keeping"(female 15 year child head).

Through engaging in cattle rearing of different people some child heads are able to earn a living. "These children also engage in rearing cattle for different people hence earning a living"(Male 29 year opinion leader).

Water supply A number of children fetch water for different households in their home area in order to raise their incomes and it was proved through them saying; "Other children are engaged in fetching water which helps me raise money for all my household needs"(Female 16 year child head).

Through fetching water some children are able to survive through getting money and food from this activity. "Some child heads fetch water for people as a means of survival hence getting both money and food for their households” (Male 50 year old secretary for children affairs).

Scrap and bottle collecting When it comes to this kind of activity the findings show that most of the child heads and their siblings carried it out because they had no option or in case an opportunity came their way for example on functions like weddings and funeral rites as said; "I also collect scrap and bottles with my sister to get food for the day" (Male 14 year child head). Some participants went on to demonstrate how they collect bottles on functions which have helped them earn a living. "We also collect bottles on functions especially on introductions and funeral rites which we sell and get money to buy salt and sugar" (Female 17 year child head).

Other participants went on to prove how collecting scrap and bottles is a source of livelihood to the child heads although it scares people in the community because some of them think that these children will go ahead to steal their items. " Child heads go on collecting bottles and scrap which makes some people scared that these children will steal their items" (Female 39 year community development officer).

Poultry keeping This activity is done by some of the child heads who really benefit from it by getting both meat and eggs which they sell to their customers, this was said by some of the child heads;

Taking care of the garden, cows and hens is too hectic although it's where my main source of household income comes from" (Female 15 year child head).

Working in a market Some of the child heads work in the market to earn a living and this was showed by some of the participants saying; "One of the livelihood sources of this household is selling clothes in the market"(Female 16 year child head).

Through selling produce in the market, some children are able to cater for all their household needs. "During harvesting time I take tomatoes, egg plants and onions to the market to sell that's where I get school fees from"(Female 17 year child head).

Multiple partners Having multiple partners was identified as one of the livelihood sources, this source of livelihood was identified with female heads of households but not male heads of households. However it is important to note that none of the individual child heads interrupted with mentioning this as a source of livelihood, however key informants did; "Girls have multiple partners who give them money to maintain their households" (Male 50 year secretary children affairs).

By getting multiple partners the child heads are able to collect money from them and provide for all their needs. "Others get multiple partners in order to cater for all the needs of their households"(Female 39 year community development officer).

Through these multiple partners some child heads go on to achieve their goals very fast hence avoiding delay which would have led to other problems.

"Some go on to have multiple partners who help them achieve their goals in a blink of an eye since they collect money and deal with a problem that could have taken months and months without being solved" (Female 40 year secretary children affairs)

Stealing Stealing was identified as one of the sources of livelihood attempted by some child heads of households, the most common item child heads steal is food like cassava and sweet potatoes from people's gardens since it is one of the basic needs man cannot leave without although child heads didn't mention it as a source of livelihood but some of the key informants did; "Some child heads are thieves, we have so far got 2 child heads stealing cassava and sweet potatoes in people's gardens this month but we were able to solve the issues by telling them to apologize to the people they stole from and giving them 25 kilograms of posho to feed their households as they look for jobs to work "(Male 50 year secretary for children affairs).

Saving The findings showed that some of the child heads adopted saving for fulfilment of their long term goals for example having a great Christmas, paying school fees and this was said by the study participants; "Part of the money I get I save, we have a group of 10 people and save what you have, in most cases I save 1000 and if the week has not been that good I save 500 and this money has helped me greatly to cater for the school fees and requirements for my siblings"(Female 16 year child head).

Through farming and carrying out other activities like scrap collecting, child heads indicated that the excess money they get from these activities is saved for future use. "The excess money I get from carrying out different activities is what I save for future use"(Female 15 year child head).

4.2.2 How child heads manage their households

The participants demonstrated how they manage their households in order to show how their households run, the ways include; counselling of themselves and their siblings, improved

leadership skills, sound decision making skills, help from the siblings, Intra-household co- operation and love.

Counselling of themselves and their siblings According to the findings a number of child heads are able to play a role of a mother, father and guardian to themselves to their siblings hence managing well the household; "We are many but this household is not easy to rule, my siblings are very stubborn but am able to talk to them and also remind them that we are on their own and in this way they are able to understand and calm down"(Female 16 year old child head).

Improved leadership skills Most of the child heads demonstrated how they are able to make their house holds move to a good, improving and stable direction by directing their siblings to carry out their duties in an effective and timely manner; "After the death of my mother in an accident on her way to work in the market and her burial, I realised that no one was left to lead the household because all my siblings were looking up to me for everything that was lacking at home so I decided to take on the lead since I was the eldest" (Female 16 year child head).

Sound decision making The findings showed how the different activities in different households are first discussed about among all the siblings and the child heads then a decision is reached and agreed upon by all the members of the households thus enabling effective management of the household; "We are open with each other and we discuss each and every issue disturbing us hence getting good solutions to our problems"(Male 15 year child head).

Help from siblings The participants acknowledged that the help their siblings provide to them for example mopping the house, washing clothes, sweeping the compound among others while they are at work and sometimes tired from work is very vital in the daily management of the households;

"I have managed the household through assistance from my siblings that is to say when am at work and my siblings come back from school, they carry out all the house chores that I left behind like cooking supper hence making the management of the household easy for me"(Female 15 year child head).

Love According to the findings, the participants indicated that loving their siblings has been a drive which enabled them to work hard in order to prove to their siblings how much they love them; "The way we love each other has helped me manage this household since what has defeated me is done by my siblings and what has defeated them is solved by me" (Male 16 year child head).

Intra-household co-operation The study participants demonstrated how they co-operated with their siblings that is if a member of the household is not able to carry out a particular activity or has delayed to finish up a certain activity others come in and help their sibling to accomplish the task. "We share responsibilities and house chores amongst ourselves hence making the household easier to manage" (Female 16 year child head).

4.2.3 How child heads sustained their households

The participants are able to sustain their households through the help of different factors like; the ability to diversify sources of livelihood, ability to mobilise siblings, working as a unit and a mixture of authoritarian and authoritative parenting skills which were used by their parents to raise them.

Ability to diversify sources of livelihood A number of child heads carry out many activities like farming, laundry, fetching water which help them to collect money from all the different activities that they carry out hence leading to a smooth running and sustenance of the household; "I carryout domestic work like washing clothes, cleaning homes of people after school plus selling clothes during weekends and holidays"(Female 17 year child head).

Ability to mobilise siblings According to the findings most of the participants are able to teach and mobilise their siblings in helping them carryout simple activities like fetching water, farming among others that complement the activities child heads do and most of these activities are carried out by their siblings in the morning before going to school, in the evening after school, during weekends and in holidays thus not inconveniencing their studies since it is the best time to help out their head. "I am the first to wake up every morning so I wake up my siblings at 5am so that they can help me with house chores like cleaning the house, taking cattle to graze hence helping me manage the household well"(Female 17 year child head).

Working as a unit Most of the participants work with their siblings in order to sustain their households for example carrying out their own farming as a team, looking for work like being hired by farmers as a team among others thus generating more income and food to the household; "Through the assistance of both my siblings, am able to sustain the household since they help me by them engaging in farming and poultry hence securing some amount of money which is able to buy requirements plus paying for tours hence being relieved of that burden"(Female 15 year child head).

A mixture of authoritative and authoritarian parenting skills which were used by their late parents to raise them up The findings demonstrated how participants borrowed a leaf from their late parents who made them start working at a very tender age and also corrected them whenever they would make a mistake hence helping them to sustain their households; "I am able to sustain this household through the skills my mother used to teach me how to work hard for example whenever I made a mistake, she would communicate to me how angry she was with a strange look and if I repeated the mistake she would beat me till I cried because she always said if a child doesn't cry then she has not realised his or her mistake"(Female 15 year child head).

4.3 Emotional competencies of child heads of households

The variables explored under emotional competencies included; Capacity to cope with the challenges of living without an adult care giver, overgrowing the possible tendency for looking for sympathy or crying for an adult care giver, motivation to go on when the situation becomes worse.

4.3.1Capacity to cope with the challenges of living without an adult care giver

The child head were found to have Immeasurable competencies that demonstrated their capacity to cope with the challenges of living without an adult care giver and these included an increasing sense of patience, awareness of the situation, hopeful about the future, Being empathetic, committed to their responsibilities, resilience, developed problem solving skills

An increasing sense of patience A number of children reported to have learnt to be patient; "The past experiences for example the death of my mother, sickness among others make me realise that if they ended no situation is permanent" (Female 16 year child head).

Being empathetic (understanding other people's needs and situation) These children went on to demonstrate how they are able to fit in their siblings shoes and understand the situation they are going through the child heads reported that when their siblings fall sick they feel much pain than the sick patients thus doing whatever it takes to rescue their siblings from such a situation as said by some of the participants; "I keep my family members together by communicating with them and making sure that they get what they need and giving them a crying shoulder whenever they are hurt by people and faced with challenging situation like sickness’’(Male 17 year child head).

A number of participants give chances to their siblings like sponsorships since they are the eldest they leave opportunities that come to first benefit "In most cases the child heads get sponsors for their siblings since we take one hence struggling for their own school fees and the rest"(Female 39 year old Community Development Officer).

Committed to their responsibilities Some of the participants demonstrated a high level of hard work to the extent of foregoing school to achieve their roles as child heads as echoed out by some of them; “I started taking good care of my brothers when I dropped out of school because the money was not enough to educate the all of us and I didn't get enough time to carry out my responsibilities very well but after leaving school, I" (Male 16 year old child head).

These children are hard working since they know hard work pays this makes them committed to work in order to make their households stand. "The child heads are hard-working and wise because I sometimes wonder how these children are able to make their households stand yet some people older than them are defeated and end up neglecting their homes and responsibilities" ( Female 35 year Para-social worker).

Resilience Most of the participants of this study demonstrated a high level of persistence in achieving their goals no matter how hard the situation is thus enduring and being able to fight till things become stable as said by them; "I have learnt to struggle in order to make ends meet no matter what" (Male 17 year child head).

Developing skills of solving problems Some of them have learnt how to solve their own problems than when they had just became child heads as the findings from study participants show; "Almost all the problems that I and my siblings have faced are solved by me"(Female 15 year old child head).

Through discussions with their siblings, child heads are able to get solutions from the discussions which help them solve each and every problem in front of them. "We are open with each other and we discuss each and every issue disturbing us hence getting good solutions to our problems"(Male 15 year old child head).

4.3.2 Overgrowing the tendency of looking for sympathy or crying for an adult care giver The findings indicated that the child heads have overgrown the tendency of looking for sympathy or crying for an adult care giver through many different ways like; acceptance of the situation, increasing sense of independence, adaptability, time, siblings, religion, hopeful to the future and self-awareness;

Acceptance of their situation A number of children demonstrated that while in the past, they would cry about their situation, overtime they have overgrown such emotions. They indicated that they have increasingly learnt to live without adult care givers as a reality as echoed by some children; "I have learnt how to depend on myself and my siblings during times of difficulties unlike back in the days when I used to look at other families and members who are in good life and I cry and I also ask God why but now I no longer do so" (Male 17 year child head).

Increasing sense of independence A growing sense of independence is an indication of emotional competencies, an indication of the findings revealed that these children's sense of independence has increased "I have learnt how to depend on myself and my siblings during difficult times" (Male 17 year child head).

Hopeful to the future Most of the child heads are hopeful to the future since their current situation is not that good hence ending up looking to the future for a better life; "The child heads are able to cope with the situation by hoping that one day they will be successful"(Male 50 year secretary children affairs).

Adaptability The findings show that most of these children have got used and accepted all the changes that occurred and those which are still surfacing as they go on growing hence being proved by some of them lamenting; "Right now am okay and used to this life like other people" (Male 17 year child head).

Time Some of the participants reported that they have overgrown the possible tendency for looking for sympathy or crying for an adult care giver because of the time that has passed after the loss of their parents or abandonment of their guardians and that since it is in the past, they are looking for a better tomorrow; "It has been 4 years after the death of my mother, this time has been enough to heal my wounds and overgrow the possible tendency for looking for sympathy, l now solve most of my problems" (Female 17year child head).

Siblings A number of participants demonstrated that they have overgrown the possible tendency for looking for sympathy or crying for an adult care giver by holding onto their siblings since they are the only people that they experienced with the pain of losing their parents and they are of the same blood so they go on to put all their trust in them and since these child heads play the roles of parenting to their siblings in most cases they have made themselves strong in front of them in order to carry out all the responsibilities of both a mother and father; "I have overgrown the possible tendency for looking for sympathy or crying for an adult care giver through holding onto my siblings and working hard to meet their basic needs since I don't want them to regret the absence of our parents in other wards making myself busy all the time has helped me overgrow that tendency" (Male 14 year child head).

Religion According to the findings, most of the participants reported that praying to God helped them overgrow the possible tendency for looking for sympathy or crying for an adult care giver by putting their hope in him and faithfully trusting him which helped them overcome the situation; "I have overgrown the possible tendency of looking for sympathy or crying for an adult care giver through praying to God hence being able to overcome that situation" (Female 17 year old child head).

4.3.3 Motivation to go on when the situation becomes worse

The findings reported that a number of child heads are motivated to go on when the situation becomes worse by factors like; siblings, wanting a specific goal, problems that come their way, getting over a very hard situation, turning point and getting tired of a miserable situation;

Wanting a specific goal Most of the participants reported that they are motivated to go on when the situation becomes worse because of a goal they are after, many of them want to prove to people that they can do what others do like emerging successful despite the situation "Whenever I think about relatives who used to come frequently at home when my parents were there and now are nowhere to be seen I feel that I want to make it so that they are all amazed"

Problems that come their way According to the findings, a number of child heads are motivated to go on when the situation comes worse by the problems that keep coming their way; The way my parents treated me motivates me to go on no matter what that one day I will prove their words that is am stupid and I will never become somebody while beating me"(Male 15 year child head).

Getting over a very hard situation A number of children are motivated by the situations that they were able to overcome for example the pain that came with death of parents, sickness of their siblings among others. "The past experiences motivate me to go on when the situation becomes worse for example the death of my mother, sickness among others makes me realise that if they ended no situation is permanent" (Male 17 year child head).

Family members It was established that most of the child heads get motivated to go on when the situation becomes worse through their siblings since some of them are looking up to them; My young sister since she tells people that she wants to grow and be like me so whenever I think about that, it motivates me"(Male 17 year child head).

Getting tired of a miserable situation According to the findings a number of child heads are able to get motivated by getting tired of a miserable situation like lack of enough food to take them through the week, being chased from school each time because of school fees balances among other problems. "Whenever I think about my young brothers and sisters their age and how we have suffered and where we have come from, I get the courage to sustain this household"(Male 17 year child head).

4.4 Social networks related competencies

One of the objectives of this study was to establish social networks of which they are able receive different forms of support;

4.4.1 Enablement of child heads to establish relationships

These children demonstrated different means through which they have established social networks. These means double as key competencies, they include; listening to others ideas, ability to work and communicate well with others, respecting and appreciating others, demonstrating appropriate behaviours (social norms), interacting positively and getting along with others. Listening to others ideas The findings reported that most of the participants acquire knowledge from the broader community which helps them to overcome some difficult situations by listening to other people's ideas, advice and guidance as explained by some of them; "Friends and my workmates plus my boss help me deal with almost all the problems I have by advising me on the decisions I make"(Male 17 year child head)

Child heads have been able to maintain the relationships they established and also solve their problems; "By talking about each and every problem with my neighbour since he is older than me and suggesting solutions for me to choose from, Iam able to overcome most of my problems"(Male 17 year child head).

Through taking on people's advice children indicated that they have been able to maintain relationships and get support from them. "Most of the people know about my family since my mother was a leader of mother's union at church so when people find me they encourage me, that is how I secured my sponsorship hence going back to school"(Female 15 year child head)

Ability to work and communicate well with others Some of the study participants have good communication and collaboration skills which help them get into the opportunities that they would have just by passed because of lack of these skills as echoed out by some of the participants; "Every decision that is taken is first talked about with my family members and neighbours then we all decide whether it will work or not"(Female 15 year child head).

Respecting and appreciating others According to the findings the study participants demonstrated how they appreciate the support and help given to them by different people and this was just enough to prove how they are appreciative of whatever assistance provided to them as said by a number of them; “Friends and my workmates plus my boss help me deal with almost all the problems I have by advising me on the decisions I make and also borrow me money when my siblings have reached exam period with school fees balances, they also help me when am sick, visit me and also give me medicine, they have did a lot for me I even don't know if they were not there how would I ever survive"(Male 17 year child head).

" The networks I have are helpful because they have pushed me from one step to another by supporting each and everything I do, not only buying my products but also advising me on how to solve all the problems that come my way" (Female 17 year child head).

The findings from the participants also went ahead to demonstrate a high level of respect that child heads show to the people in the community which helped them to establish the relationships that support them as said by some of the participants;

"My humbleness and respect that I give to people has enabled me establish the relationships I have"(Male 14 year child head).

"Being a respectful, humble and listening person has helped me establish the relationships from which I get support from" (Female 17 year child head).

Demonstrating appropriate behaviours (social norms) Most of the participants of the study are able to acknowledge their good behaviours and their character that is to say the way they were raised as a very important issue that enables them establish relationships from which they get support from, as said by some of them; "My personal behaviours and discipline helped me establish the relationships I have in other wards am a social being and this was manifested when I fell sick my boss complained that now who is going to work for me like you, you should get well soon because am not going to hire anyone to steal from me" (Male 15 year child head).

"Being an open, social and friendly to everyone helped me establish relationships which have supported up to date"(Male 17 year child head).

Interacting positively and getting along with others It was identified that the child heads of households interact positively and are good at getting along with others hence helping them establish unbreakable bonds with the community, their siblings, NGO's among others hence helping them a lot to sustain their households in terms of school fees, food, clothes among other things as echoed out by some of the participants; “Being a good, caring and open person has helped me establish relationships because people like people who exhibit such character because they are easier to interact with"(Female 17 year child head).

Through being honest and open-minded, children indicated that their employers have gone ahead not to hire other people in case these children are sick or having some problems in their households.

"Most of the people yearn for me because of my honesty and openness to work for them hence getting enough money to sustain the household"(Male 16 year old child head).

4.5 Contribution of the relationships child heads have to their well being

The findings show that a number of child heads have benefited and are still benefiting from the relationships they established and are grateful of the needs and support that they receive from these relationships and these include; economic support, emotional support, physical support and social support.

4.5.1 Economic support

It was established that most of the child heads received economic support from the relationships that they established and it includes; securing employment opportunities, getting customers and getting opportunities for going back to school.

Securing employment opportunities Most of the child heads were able to find jobs from these relationships. Jobs like supply of farm labour, vocational jobs, hawking, laundry, cattle keeping among others; "People in the community most especially my friends have helped me in findings jobs for me for example those of being hired by farmers and also construction sites where I work now" (Male 17 year child head).

Customers The relationships they established help them to get customers who buy their items and farm produce hence getting money to buy food and the needs they don't have; "I get money from people who buy my oranges and mangoes" (Male 14 year child head) Vocational study opportunities Since a number of the child heads have a lot of work to do in order to meet their house hold needs they decide to go for vocational studies like tailoring, mechanics, welding among others where by the people they related with like the chairmen of their areas decide to look for placements of the studies they prefer or they feel are fit and flexible from the community and in

most cases people who offer them these opportunities know them hence making it easy to teach them as they learn some go on to work for them hence bringing income to some households; "The vice chairman of this village secured a placement for me in the garage where I learn as I earn so far I have mastered most of the skills a mechanic must have" (Male 17 year child head).

4.5.2 Emotional support

The findings identified emotional support as another type of support that child heads were able to receive from the relationships they established and this contained; guidance and counselling plus care;

Guidance and counselling The findings reported that child heads receive advice from neighbours who guided them on how they should administer drugs to their sick siblings and how to overcome the challenging situations that came their way, volunteers who visit them and teach them how to keep their households running plus providing some of their basic needs, the community members who are able to identify and advise them about the importance of opportunities like sponsorships "Neighbours and community leaders have advised me on how to solve the problems that come my way and have also counselled me on how to make good and proper decisions in life" (Female 16 year child head).

Care The findings showed that these children are taken care of by the community members; "People have taken care of me when am sick starting from my neighbours and not living out my employer and work mates"(Male 15 year child head).

4.5.3 Physical support

The findings from the study demonstrated the physical support that the child heads receive from the relationships they established and this included; money, basic needs, assistance, sponsorships and medicine; Money

This is given to these children by people who buy their produce, those who they sell to the bottles and scrap they collect and also volunteers who visit them and sometimes their neighbours who witness their neediness; "The relationships I established have helped me secure food and money for school fees"(Female 16 year child head).

Basic needs Child heads are able to get basic needs that is clothes, food, water among others from the community members, volunteers among other people. "Volunteers from different communities and organisations have reached out to us with clothes, food, and money among other things" (Male 17 year child head)

Assistance The child heads are also assisted by their neighbours to look after their households like taking care of their young sisters or brothers when they leave home for work; "My neighbours help me to remain with my little sister when my siblings go to school and I also go to work"(Male 17 year child head),

Sponsorships These are mostly provided by community leaders who are responsible for children issues, so these go ahead to point out these children in case NGOs, volunteers and the government bring such opportunities in the community; "I have been able to get sponsors for my siblings through the networks I have"(Male 16 year child head). Medicine This is provided by the village health teams who go ahead to check the bodies of these children and also give them some drugs to take in case of any disease and also teach them about how to prevent a number of diseases. The neighbours are also an immediate avenue where the child heads get both local medicine and first aid for diseases that attacks them abruptly; "My neighbours have really helped when my sisters are sick, they have directed me on which natural herb to give to them, sometimes when am at work and they need something for example

salt they go and get from the neighbours so when am back am able to pay"(Male 14 year old child head).

4.5.4 Social support

People also support these children socially in ways like giving them company, lending them a listening ear, visiting and checking up on the child heads

Giving child heads company Findings show that child heads receive company from their neighbours, their friends, their employers and work mates; "My work mates have been there for me whenever I need someone to talk to, they are always there"(Male 15 year child head).

Visiting and checking up on the child heads Neighbours, friends, employers among other people visit and check on child heads sometimes when they are sick, when they have spent time without appearing on their jobs or in the community; "My friends and neighbours often visit me when am at home and I have not worked hence making me feel good and contented that they can also go on to solve some of my problems since they keep checking me up" (Male 15 year child head).

4.6 Uniqueness of child heads that enables them to survive each day

The findings explored the factors that make child heads different from the rest of other people since they are able to make their house holds stand at a very young age yet some people who are older than them are not able to fulfil their responsibilities, they include; hard working, being exemplary to their siblings, their determination, being obedient, disciplined, wise, persistent, caring, caring responsible and enduring amidst challenging situations;

Hard working The findings reported that the child heads struggle too much in order to meet the basic needs of the household;

"Most of the child heads in this village are hard working since they carry out many activities in the day in order to increase on their income for example digging in the morning, fetching water for people in the evening, being hired by farmers in the mid-morning to work on farms among other activities"(Female 35 year Para-social worker).

Being exemplary Findings showed that child heads live a life of being an example to their siblings because some of the siblings go ahead to turn them into their role models; "The uniqueness of these children lays in how they behave in the community and in front of their siblings that is to say these children are well behaved which makes their siblings admire them to the extent of making them their role models" (Male 50 year secretary children affairs).

Determination This was also identified as one of the factors that made these children unique from others since these children work with great determination in order to make their future and that of their siblings brighter; "The uniqueness of these children starts from their determination to go on no matter how bad the situation is, they are able to jungle out issues like old people and emerge out successfully yet even some old people fail to do so"(Female 40 year secretary children affairs). Disciplined It was also established that these children are disciplined since most of the relationships they have with people is due to this factor plus the support they get from them; "The uniqueness of these children is demonstrated through them being disciplined even when they don't have parents or guardians to guide them on whatever decision they take"(Female 40 year secretary children affairs). Obedient It was also reported that these children are obedient which has helped them secure jobs, friends and maintain their relationships; "The unique thing about these children is their obedience to their elders, when something is told to them they do it despite them being in a position of heading others"(Male 50 year secretary children affairs).

Wise The findings show that child heads are wise due to the roles and responsibilities they have managed to carry out at very tender age hence making them different from other people.; "The children are hardworking and wise because I sometimes wonder how these children are able to make their households stand yet some people older than them are defeated and end up neglecting their homes and responsibilities" ( Female 35 year Para-social worker).

Responsible It was established that most of the child heads demonstrated how responsible they are by taking good care of their siblings and their households through providing for all the basic needs in the household; "The child heads strive to keep their siblings in school to an extent of dropping out of school to enable their siblings study and get their basic needs"(Male 50 year secretary children affairs)"

Caring The participants reported that the child heads are caring and this was demonstrated by how the child heads behave when their siblings need something or when their siblings are sick by working tirelessly to make sure their siblings get well. "The unique thing about these children is that they are able to take up the roles of both a mother and father by leaving opportunities like sponsorships to their siblings hence struggling for their own school fees"(Female 39 Community Development Officer). Endurance According to the findings, the participants proved that child heads don't give up no matter the situation but endure whatever comes their way hence being able to fulfil their responsibilities; "The child heads are able to pass through the difficult moments and survive for example spending sleepless nights, some of them claim that their sickness just disappears without any medication" (Male 29 year opinion leader). DISSCUSION OF FINDINGS

More often than not, child heads of households are perceived as vulnerable and few identify them with competencies, previous research focused much on how powerless child heads are because of the high rates of poverty that come with lack of basic needs, malnutrition, which

make them helpless hence overlooking the resources embedded within these children and those surrounding them (Holzer et al 2007). Such research further emphasizes how child heads are a problem that needs to be given so much attention, how their numbers are rising, the nature of chid headed households and the causes of child headed households ignoring the psychological strength, self-esteem and social networks which have helped these children to emerge successful from the challenging situations (David Donald et al 2009). The findings of this study bring up a new perspective which appreciates these children as persons with different forms of competencies since the problems, risks plus the barriers in their lives are also enablers which lead to their empowerment. It is high time; child protection actors started paying more attention to the strengths or competencies like the skills they have, their talents, wishes and aspirations plus their abilities among child heads of households than their weaknesses. Focussing on the latter (weaknesses) serves rather to disempower these children while a focus of strengths makes these children encouraged to actualise their potential.

CHAPTER FIVE

SUMMARY OF THE FINDINGS, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

5.0 Introduction

This is the last chapter of the study and it shows the summary of findings and recommendations that can be used to raise the child heads' standards of living, both at national and community levels. This study was to find out the livelihood and emotional competencies plus their ability to establish networks through which they are able to receive different forms of support.

5.1 Summary of the findings

The study focused on finding out the competencies of child heads of households in Bamunanika Sub County. It was found out that most child heads are competent in spite their situation hence turning into saviours and role models to their siblings. The study also proved that the child heads have the livelihood competencies that enable them to successfully carry out their responsibilities meaning that they are able to do whatever work that is availed to them with determination and commitment regardless of how risky the work is to their lives in order to full fill all his or her family members need hence sustaining their households. The findings went ahead to expose the emotional competencies of the child heads and they were exposed by these children acknowledging that although they face many and challenging situations they are still able to beat the situation in front of them and proceed to the next chapter that is to say that even when they don't have any adult figure in their lives they are able to withstand all the challenges that come without an adult care giver in their lives and can focus on what their future will be with the help of their past that if they were able to overcome hunger and the trauma of orphan hood and negligence of their parents then all the challenging situation that are available in their lives and those that are still coming their way will one day come to pass. It was further established how the child heads are able to establish the networks that have supported them in different dimensions of life, these children have been able to establish these networks differently for example these children took communication as a very serious and important aspect to establish, maintain and benefit from relationships hence relating with their siblings, neighbours, workmates, community leaders among other people who come their way. Although some child heads lack trust in people because of the past experiences they had with 38

people, some betrayed them, others cared less, others undermined their abilities thus losing it all hence lowering their self-esteem. They elaborated how the community wonders how they are able to head a household when they are young and they full fill their responsibilities thus doing them better than adults who neglect their responsibilities. The findings showed how the community leaders have tried to improve on the situation the child heads are facing by finding out ways on how to help them brighten up their future like skilling them in the areas they are interested in like weaving, welding, tailoring among others although those who have tried to do so face problems of poor attendance of child heads that is to say dodging of child heads since some of them value money more than knowledge, they have went on to look for sponsors for these children, encouraging village health teams and volunteers to reach out to them and also encouraged them to accept and get these services in order to improve their welfare however this has been done on a small scale meaning little efforts have been put towards such measures since some of the child heads failed to express themselves boldly meaning they lack self-confidence thus portraying out an image of the community not doing enough to improve the situation the child heads and yet these children desperately need attention and care from the community since they don't have any other convenient and better option than to look up to their communities for assistance.

5.2 Conclusion

The child heads really demonstrated how highly competent they are despite the position that they are in which we all know it is supposed to be fit for adults. The community leaders have done a very important job in uplifting the standards of these children though more efforts are still needed.

5.3 Recommendations

The following are the recommendations drawn by the researcher on the findings of the research study; Child protection actors should change the way they look and handle issues of child headed households that is instead of focusing on their weaknesses they should pay more attention to the strengths of child heads to enable these children get empowered to fight all the challenging situations that come their way. 39

The community leaders should put in more efforts in finding out more options of how to help out the child heads and their households. The community leaders should also mobilise and raise awareness in the community about the existence of child heads and on the ways these children should be helped out. The programs available for these children like skilling should be followed up in order to assess their effectiveness in these children's lives and also following up of child heads enrolled in the programs should be ensured to make sure that they attend, learn and benefit from them. The government should also come out and help the child heads in ways like providing sponsorships for them, basic needs among others which should be flexible for them to cater for their households that is to say not ways that don't separate them from their households in other wards it should put into consideration the whole households. The NGOs should also come out to solicit help for the child heads and should separate their interventions from those of the OVCs although they also belong in the group but there case is different. The government should find means of including them into the alternative care framework so that they can also benefit from the privileges that come along with it. Social protection actors should pay more attention to the strengths and competencies than the weaknesses of child heads in order to empower them to raise their standards of living

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APPENDICES

APPENDIX I: INTERVIEW GUIDE FOR CHILD HEADS AND THEIR SIBLINGS IN LUWERO DISTRICT I am Namutebi Margret a student of Makerere University carrying out research about the competences of child heads of households and its purpose is to help the researcher complete a bachelor’s degree in social work and social administration because it is one of the requirements to fulfilling the degreeand all the information provided will be kept confidential, it will only serve the purpose above. Sex:

Age:

Number of children:

Question 1: What are the livelihood competencies of child heads of households in Bamunanika Sub County?

1. What are the livelihood sources of the household?

2. What in particular has helped you to access livelihood?

3. How have you managed to take care of the household?

4. For how long have you been a household head?

5. What type of work are you doing?

6. How did you become a household head?

7. Are other children engaged in livelihood activities and which activities are they?

8. When do these children engage in these livelihood activities?

9. What has enabled you to sustain your household?

10. How have you kept your family members together?

Question 2: What are the emotional competencies of child heads of household?

11. What motivates you to go on when the situation becomes worse?

12. What is your capacity to cope with the challenges of living without an adult caregiver?

13. Do you feel you have overgrown the possible tendency for looking for sympathy or crying for an adult caregiver?

14. How have you over grown the tendency for looking for sympathy or crying for an adult caregiver?

Question 3: What ability do the child heads have to establish social networks through which they are able to receive different forms of support?

15.Who do you relate with?

16. What enables you to establish these relationships?

17. Do you feel the networks you have are a few or many and if so why?

18. What do the relationships you have with other people contribute to your wellbeing?

APPENDIX II: INTERVIEW GUIDE FOR KEY INFORMANTS IN LUWERO DISTRICT

Iam Namutebi Margret a student of Makerere University carrying out research on about the competences of child heads of households and its purpose is to help me complete a bachelor’s degree in social work and social administration because it is one of the requirements to fulfilling the degree and all the information provided will be kept confidential, it will only serve the purpose abovee.

Sex:

Age:

Position:

1. Have you acknowledged that there are child heads in this community?

2. What is unique about those children that enables them to survive each day?

3. How do these children manage to sustain their lives?

5. How do they manage to deal with the feeling of orphan hood or absence of a caregiver?

6.What have youdone about their situation?

APPENDIX III: INTRODUCTION LETTER