The needs of traumatised children in the shelters/institutions in Mmabatho/Mafikeng area

Abstract

The Needs of Traumatised Children m the Shelters\Institutions m Mmabatho Mafikeng area. The needs of traumatised children have recently gained attention. From the media, News Papers, Televisions, Radio's, one hears and sees how child trauma has become a global concern. In South Africa child trauma has become a national phenomenon. It is important not to ignore this reality. It is equally important to be well informed and to respond appropriately in the event of trauma. The literature seldom addresses the needs of traumatised children in shelters\institutions. An integrative review of the literature on the needs of children was looked into with the hope that it will provide the conceptual understanding of the transitional experience these children go through while residing in shelters\institutions. Because of lack of literature, there is still much that is not understood from their plight particularly from their own perspective. The most serious needs included counselling, human rights, need for recreational centres, training of caregivers and self-identity.

The study is qualitative, describing and exploring the needs of traumatised children in shelters\institutions around Mmabatho\ Mafikeng areas. The objectives of the study are two-fold, firstly: to explore the nature and extent of the needs of traumatised children in shelters\institutions and to develop guidelines that care- givers can use to implement support programs that will meet the needs of traumatised children in shelters\institutions. The units of research were traumatised children residing m shelters\institutions and the social workers that are in contact with the children in shelters\institutions. Structured interviews were conducted to collect data from children in shelters\institutions and social workers. The study used focus groups and in-depth interviews to identify the needs of traumatised children residing in shelters\institutions. The empirical study identified the following needs: lack of counselling, need to be respected as people, need for recreation to avoid boredom and frustration, need to belong and deal with self-identity crisis. They also

stressed the need for human rights: a need to be heard, understood, loved and supported. The findings further show that caregivers need to attend intensive training programs as to how to deal with such children