The Changes in the Conduct of Yao Boys' Initiation
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THE CHANGES IN THE CONDUCT OF YAO BOYS’ INITIATION CEREMONIES An empirical study of the impact of HIV and AIDS NGOs’/projects’ interventions: “Nothing for us without us!” Submitted by: Earnest Akutusamalira Tendemele Pemba Course Code: SA357S Thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for The Degree of Master in Social Work with Comparative Perspective, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Nordland, Norway May 2012 The changes in the conduct of Yao boys’ initiation ceremonies: An empirical study of the impact of HIV and AIDS NGOs’/projects interventions. ‘Nothing for us without us.’ MASTER THESIS THE CHANGES IN THE CONDUCT OF YAO BOYS’ INITIATION CEREMONIES- An empirical study of the impact of HIV and AIDS NGOs’/projects’ interventions: “Nothing for us without us!” Submitted by: Earnest Akutusamalira Tendemele Pemba Course Code: SA357S Thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for The Degree of Master in Social Work with Comparative Perspective, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Nordland, Norway May 2012 I The changes in the conduct of Yao boys’ initiation ceremonies: An empirical study of the impact of HIV and AIDS NGOs’/projects interventions. ‘Nothing for us without us.’ DEDICATION I dedicate this piece of work to My wife, Grace And My lovely children, Praise and Paul I thank you for your patience when I did not have time with you due to pressure of work I would like to give praise and honour to the Lord, Jesus the giver of life, health and wisdom. II The changes in the conduct of Yao boys’ initiation ceremonies: An empirical study of the impact of HIV and AIDS NGOs’/projects interventions. ‘Nothing for us without us.’ Acknowledgements I am grateful to Professor Agnete Wiborg, University of Nordland and Dr. Alister C. Munthali, Centre for Social Research, University of Malawi, supervisors. Your constant advice and guidance during the whole study, in study proposal, data collection and writing of this thesis has been great. Thank you very much for the interest to help and passion in your field. Late Associate Professor Svenuing Hoverak and Associate Professor Siv Ortedal University of Nordland and Dr. Pierson Ntata, the Coordinators for Masters of Social Work with Comparative Perspective in Norway and Malawi. This is for their continued guidance and care during the course. I sincerely thank you. I am thankful to STA. Nkoola and Mrs. Abbey Kaliati for their untiring work as research assistants in my data collection. Your support cannot be taken for granted. I wish to express my gratitude to the District Commissioner, the Traditional Authority, the NGOs involved in Key Informant Interviews, the community members from my study village that were involved in FGI, In-depth interviews and observation for allowing to be part of my study. This has been full of learning. I am also thankful to the NUFU scholarship for funding my study and the Norwegian government for financial and material assistance that has enabled me to pursue this course and indeed to be able to carry out this research successfully. Last but not least, I am thankful The Board, Management and Staff of CRECCOM for all the assistance during the course of study, the financial, material and moral support. Earnest .A. T. Pemba. Bodø, Norway. May 2012. III The changes in the conduct of Yao boys’ initiation ceremonies: An empirical study of the impact of HIV and AIDS NGOs’/projects interventions. ‘Nothing for us without us.’ Table of Contents • Acknowledgements……………………………………………………………….....(v) • Table of Contents……………………………………………………………..…….(vi) • Annexes ……………………..…………………………...…………………..……..(xi) • Abbreviations………………………………………………………………..……...(xi) • Glossary ………………………………………………………………….………..(xiii) • Abstract………….. ……………………………………………………...…………(xv) CHAPTER 1.0 INTRODUCTION………………………………………...…1 1.1 HIV and AIDS NGOs/projects in Malawi...................................................................1 1.2 NGO background in general.........................................................................................3 1.3 The link between HIV and the conduct of Yao boys’ initiations in Malawi................5 1.4 Motivation of my study................................................................................................7 1.5 Purpose of my study.....................................................................................................8 1.6. Organisation of my Thesis .......................................................................................10 CHAPTER 2.0 BACKGROUND....................................................................12 2.1 Studies on HIV and AIDS and NGO work................................................................12 2.2 HIV and AIDS situation in Malawi............................................................................17 2.3 Initiation rites.............................................................................................................18 2.4 Yao boys’ Initiation Ceremonies in Malawi .............................................................20 CHAPTER 3 THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK..........................................22 3.1 Empowerment theory ...........................................................................................….22 3.3.1 Problem Solving .................................................................................................23 IV The changes in the conduct of Yao boys’ initiation ceremonies: An empirical study of the impact of HIV and AIDS NGOs’/projects interventions. ‘Nothing for us without us.’ 3.1.2 The strength perspective......................................................................................24 3.2 Social change/ Change from below theory.................................................................25 3.3 Community participation/involvement concept- Participatory development approach............................................................................................................................26 3.4 Dependency theory.....................................................................................................26 CHAPTER 4.0 STUDY METHODOLOGY...............................................28 4.0 Study Methodology .................................................................................................28 4.1 Study design, sampling and data collection methods ................................................28 4.2 Sampling and study actors...........................................................................................30 4.3 Data collection methods .............................................................................................31 4.3.1 Key informant interviews ..................................................................................33 Brief presentation of key informants’ organisations ..........................................32 (i) NGO A............................................................................................................32 (ii) NGO B ..........................................................................................................32 (iii) NGO C .........................................................................................................33 4.3.2 In-depth interviews .............................................................................................33 4.3.3 Focus Group Interviews .....................................................................................33 4.3.4 Observation .........................................................................................................34 4.4 Methodology issues .....................................................................................................34 4.4.1 Reliability and validity of my study ....................................................................34 4.4.2 Ethical Considerations..........................................................................................35 4.5The Researcher..............................................................................................................36 4.6 Limitations of my study ..............................................................................................37 4.7 Data analysis ...............................................................................................................38 V The changes in the conduct of Yao boys’ initiation ceremonies: An empirical study of the impact of HIV and AIDS NGOs’/projects interventions. ‘Nothing for us without us.’ CHAPTER 5 UNDERSTANDING FORMULATION OF NGOS INTERVENTIONS ……………………………………….…………...40 5.1 Formulation of interventions and program activities...................................................40 5.2 NGO views about traditional Yao boys’ initiation: Modify, abolish or both? ............41 5.3 Interventions and program activities: Who is involved in deciding? ..........................45 5.3.1 Interventions: Whose idea is it- community, organisations, donors, studies or Partnership? .....................................................................................................46 5.3.2 Program activities: Partnership, imposed or both? .........................................52 5.4 Discussion and conclusion ......................................................................................57 CHAPTER 6 NGOS INTERVENTIONS IMPLEMENTATION, SUCCESS/IMPACT AND CHALLENGES ………………..…………...………………………………….…….65 6.0 Involvement of community leaders and facilitators, success/impact and challenges ...............................................................................................................65