Exploring the Orphan and Vulnerable Children’s Needs fromtheir Perspective,in Shahura Town,North West Ethiopia

Abstract

This studyexplored needs and challenges oforphanandvulnerable child’sfrom theirperspective in Shahura town.The study used the qualitative approach and case study design.Theparticipants ofthe study areall orphan and vulnerable childrenin Shahura town those who aretheage of seven andabove.Datacollected throughin-depthinterviewand focus groupdiscussions. Inthis studyeight (8) study participants involved in the in-depth interviewfour (4) of them were males and the restfour (4) ofwerefemales.Three(3) FGDwere conducted, eachgroup containsseven (7) individual participants that considering their age and gender issues. Thecollected datahave beenanalyzedviathematic analysis techniquemanually. Theresultof the studyimplied that becauseless attention is given for the OVC’s social and psychological needs,the OVCthose whoare living in Shahuratown areneedyof social and psychologicalissues.On the contrary, basic needs are relatively fulfilling in a better way.Besides,thestudyinvestigated and identified the stigma, needs understanding problems,and screening problems asbigchallenges in attaining the OVC’s social and psychologicalneeds.Thestudy will havepolicy implications, in designing effectiveinterventionsincluding fund utilization; forsocial workeducation, andpractitioners,it can be asupportiveblueprintfortheir OVC’sneeds and related works.