"Living in Rich Man's Garbage" - Social Change in Lesotho Owing to HIV and AIDS - The Tin/Can-Village Approach to Orphan Care and Social Change

Diploma Thesis , 2004 , 241 Pages , Grade: 1,9

Sociology - Culture, Technology, Nations

Introduction
This paper discusses social change within Lesotho’s society and its response in regard to the increasing number of children orphaned by HIV and AIDS. Social change in Lesotho is analyzed and compared with conventional social-science theories, including recommendations for further actions. A recently registered local non-governmental organization (NGO), the Thlokomelo Society, is taken as an example to demonstrate the complex situation of HIV and AIDS and orphan-care in Lesotho.

Lesotho is a small mountainous kingdom entirely surrounded by The Republic of South Africa (RSA). Since independence in 1966, the country has experimented with various forms of government, which have all been characterized by political instability. However, Lesotho has recently moved significantly towards democracy, and international observers declared the general elections in 2002 as both free and fair. Lesotho has scarcely any natural resources, and those available are inefficiently used. The economy is highly dependent on RSA. Development in the country is hampered by the lack of any feasible agricultural or industrial base and the brain and labor drain into RSA.

Like other developing countries in southern Africa, Lesotho is currently experiencing a food crisis made worse by the impact of the prevailing HIV and AIDS pandemic. Lesotho is facing an HIV and AIDS crisis of tremendous proportions. The pandemic is regarded as a principal obstacle in combating poverty and promoting sustainable human development. With almost one third of the adult population infected with HIV, Lesotho has the fourth highest prevalence rate in the world. Among the 49 least-developed countries (LDC) – classified by the United Nations (UN) as particularly poor and vulnerable – Lesotho ranks first. In other words, no other country in the world is as underdeveloped and, at the same time, faced with an HIV and AIDS crisis of comparable magnitude.

According to the UNAIDS Report on the Global HIV and AIDS Epidemic, an estimated five million people around the world became infected in 2001, 800,000 of whom were children. Over the next decade, without effective treatment and care they will join the ranks of the more than 20 million people who have died of AIDS since the first clinical evidence of HIV and AIDS was reported in 1981. Almost half a generation is going to die in the future because of AIDS. As stated by the UNAIDS Report the climax will take place around 2010.

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• INTRODUCTION
• METHODOLOGY
• DEFINITIONS
  • SOCIAL CHANGE
  • AIDS AND HIV
  • ORPHANS
• LESOTHO, THE SMALL KINGDOM IN SOUTHERN AFRICA
  • HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE
  • MOSHOESHOE THE GREAT
  • LIVING IN THE APARTHEID ERA
  • LESOTHO'S DISTRICTS AND CHIEFTAINSHIP
  • LESOTHO'S DEMOGRAPHIC FACTS
  • LESOTHO'S ENVIRONMENT
    • LESOTHO'S WASTE MANAGEMENT
    • THE BASOTHO'S MENTALITY REGARDING THEIR ENVIRONMENT
  • LESOTHO'S LEGISLATION
  • SOCIO-ECONOMIC BACKGROUND OF LESOTHO'S POPULATION
• LESOTHO'S CULTURAL AND SOCIAL SITUATION
  • How BASOTHO LIVE
    • HEALTH-SITUATION BESIDES HIV AND AIDS AMONG BASOTHO'S POOR
    • FAMILY FORMS AND ORPHAN CARE IN LESOTHO
    • LESOTHO'S HOUSEHOLDS
    • BASOTHO INCAPABILITY IN MAKING OWN DECISIONS
  • THE SIGNIFICANCE OF SEX IN AFRICAN SOCIETIES
  • MARRIAGE AND THE MINORITY STATUS OF WOMEN IN LESOTHO
    • MARRIAGE LAW AND IMPLEMENTATION
    • THE SPECIAL STATUS OF WOMEN IN LESOTHO'S SOCIETY
    • AGE AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN
  • MEN'S ROLE IN LESOTHO'S SOCIETY
  • CHILDREN'S STATUS IN LESOTHO'S SOCIETY
  • THE SITUATION OF ORPHANS AND VULNERABLE CHILDREN IN LESOTHO
    • THE GOVERNMENT'S POSITION REGARDING ORPHANS AND ADOPTION IN LESOTHO
    • OTHER ORPHAN CARE SYSTEMS IN LESOTHO
      • YOUTH BEWARE
      • MANTSASE CHILD VILLAGE
      • MOYENI DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT GROUP
• HIV AND AIDS A MODERN EPIDEMIC
  • THE MEANING OF HIV AND AIDS TO LESOTHO'S POPULATION
    • HIV AND AIDS IN LESOTHO
    • PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV AND AIDS
    • WOMEN AND HIV AND AIDS
    • MEN AND HIV AND AIDS
    • HIV AND AIDS-RELATED STIGMA AND DISCRIMINATION
    • LESOTHO'S GOVERNMENT POLICIES REGARDING HIV AND AIDS
    • THE KING'S POINT OF VIEW
  • CHILDREN AFFECTED AND ORPHANED BY HIV AND AIDS
    • CHILDREN AS VICTIMS OF EXPLOITATION AND ABUSE
    • RIGHTS OF CHILDREN AND THE ROLE OF EDUCATION
    • CHILDREN AS WINDOWS OF HOPE
  • THE ROLE OF CULTURE IN THE SPREAD OF HIV AND AIDS
    • CULTURE, SEXUALITY AND NEGOTIATING SAFE-SEX
    • THE CULTURE OF SILENCE AND SUPERSTITION
• KEY APPROACHES TO FIGHTING HIV AND AIDS IN LESOTHO
  • LESOTHO CHILD COUNSELING UNIT
  • TRADITIONAL LEADERS, TRADITIONAL HEALERS, AND INITIAL SCHOOL LEADERS
• SOCIAL CHANGE IN LESOTHO'S SOCIETY
  • SOCIAL CHANGE IN LESOTHO TO CURB THE HIV AND AIDS EPIDEMIC
    • CHANGING BASOTHO SELF-CONFIDENCE
    • CHANGING BASOTHO BEHAVIOR
  • SOCIAL CHANGE FOR AN EFFECTIVE AND COMPREHENSIVE RESPONSE TO HIV AND AIDS IN LESOTHO
    • PREVENTION
    • TREATMENT AND CARE
    • LESSENING THE IMPACT
    • SYSTEMIC DEVELOPMENT
• TLHOKOMELO SOCIETY, THE TIN/CAN-VILLAGE
  • HISTORY OF THE TIN/CAN-PRODUCTS AND THE TIN/CAN-VILLAGE
  • TIN/CAN-HOUSE TECHNOLOGY: A CONTRIBUTION TO SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
  • TCV A MEANS OF SOCIAL CHANGE

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This master's thesis aims to analyze the social change in Lesotho, specifically focusing on the impact of HIV and AIDS, particularly in regards to orphan care and the innovative "Tin/Can-Village" approach. The work delves into the cultural and social situation of Lesotho, including its unique historical background, its socio-economic conditions, and the role of traditional structures. It also explores the role of HIV and AIDS in driving social change, highlighting the challenges and opportunities related to this epidemic.

• The impact of HIV and AIDS on Lesotho's society and its social change
• The challenges and opportunities of orphan care in Lesotho
• The cultural and social context of Lesotho and its influence on the HIV and AIDS epidemic
• The significance of the "Tin/Can-Village" approach as a means of social change in Lesotho
• The role of traditional leaders, traditional healers, and education in addressing the HIV and AIDS epidemic

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

• Introduction: This chapter introduces the topic of the thesis, outlining the problem of HIV and AIDS in Lesotho and its impact on orphan care. It highlights the importance of the "Tin/Can-Village" approach and its potential for social change.
• Methodology: This chapter details the research methodology used in the study. It discusses the data collection methods and the analytical framework used to analyze the data.
• Definitions: This chapter defines key terms such as "social change," "AIDS and HIV," and "orphans," providing a clear understanding of the concepts explored in the thesis.
• Lesotho, the Small Kingdom in Southern Africa: This chapter provides an overview of Lesotho's history, culture, and socio-economic background. It discusses the country's historical perspective, the role of Moshoeshoe the Great, and Lesotho's environment and waste management practices.
• Lesotho's Cultural and Social Situation: This chapter delves into Lesotho's social and cultural realities, focusing on family forms, orphan care, the role of women, and children's status in society.
• HIV and AIDS a Modern Epidemic: This chapter examines the impact of HIV and AIDS in Lesotho, discussing its implications for the population, particularly women and children. It explores the role of stigma and discrimination, as well as government policies and traditional beliefs related to HIV and AIDS.
• Key Approaches to Fighting HIV and AIDS in Lesotho: This chapter explores various strategies implemented to combat the HIV and AIDS epidemic in Lesotho, including the involvement of traditional leaders, traditional healers, and school leaders.
• Social Change in Lesotho's Society: This chapter analyzes the social change in Lesotho, highlighting the role of HIV and AIDS in driving this change. It explores various initiatives aimed at preventing the spread of HIV, providing care and treatment, and lessening the impact of the epidemic.
• Tlhokommelo Society, the Tin/Can-Village: This chapter discusses the "Tin/Can-Village" approach, its history, and its potential for sustainable development. It highlights the role of this unique initiative in promoting social change.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

The thesis primarily focuses on the intersection of social change, HIV and AIDS, orphan care, and sustainable development in Lesotho. Key terms include social change, HIV and AIDS, orphans, cultural and social context, traditional structures, "Tin/Can-Village," sustainable development, and the role of education and community involvement.

• College: Free University of Berlin (Institut für Soziologie)
• Grade: 1,9
• Author: Claude Bartelmus (Author)
• Publication Year: 2004
• Pages: 241
• Catalog Number: V36478
• ISBN (eBook): 9783638360906
• Language: English
• Tags: Living, Rich, Garbage, Social, Change, Lesotho, Owing, AIDS, Tin/Can-Village, Approach, Orphan, Care, Social, Change