ASSESSING THE IMPACTS OF ECONOMIC RECESSION ON CHILDREN IN MOTHERLESS BABIES HOMES IN AWKA, ANAMBRA STATE

Abstract

This paper aims at x-raying the effects of the Nigeria’s economic crisis on children in motherless babies homes in Awka. Economic recession has had its most immediate and direct impact on children in the motherless babies homes. It has handicapped families, visitors, different organizations and philanthropists from rendering support to these deprived children. Specifically, the paper sought to: assess the nature of the impacts of the recession in the motherless babies homes, to identify the coping strategies that can be employed by caregivers/officers and to find out the effectiveness of available support systems for children in the affected motherless babies homes. Based on the nature of this study, only purposive sampling technique was used. The data were collected through focus group discussions, in-depth interviews and case studies. The descriptive survey research method was adopted. Due to resources and time constraints, only two motherless babaies homes were selected. These include: Tender love orphanage home, Awka and Faith Community children’s home, Awka. As Nigerian children in motherless babies homes are regarded as endangered species due to their peculiar environment, things have started falling apart as a result of this issue of economic recession.  The findings show that these children in the motherless babies’ homes face many challenges. There are critical observations that there is an absence of the needed medical services, dietary, psychosocial care, inter alia. The study therefore recommends appropriate intervention strategies to attend to the needs of these vulnerable children.