Educating Orphaned and Vulnerable Children in Elgeyo-Marakwet County, Kenya

Abstract

According to UNICEF, 13.3 million children (0–17 years) worldwide have lost one or both parents to AIDS. Nearly 12 million of these children live in sub-Saharan Africa. Together, with other children who have been severely impacted a by the AIDS pandemic, these orphaned and vulnerable children (OVC) are at higher risk of missing out on schooling, living in households with less food security, and suffering from anxiety and depression. Although the needs of OVC are complex and influenced by numerous variables, the provision of education has the potential to address many aspects of a child’s well-being, including food and nutrition, health care, social welfare, and protection. Drawing on data collected using the Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) Well-being Tool in one area of Kenya, the authors of this study describe their findings on the educational well-being of the surveyed children and present recommendations for teachers on how to better support the diverse needs of OVCs.