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.
Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION
2. METHODOLOGY
3. DEFINITIONS
3.1 SOCIAL CHANGE
3.2 AIDS AND HIV
3.3 ORPHANS
4. LESOTHO, THE SMALL KINGDOM IN SOUTHERN AFRICA
4.1 HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE
4.2 MOSHOESHOE THE GREAT
4.3 LIVING IN THE APARTHEID ERA
4.4 LESOTHO’S DISTRICTS AND CHIEFTAINSHIP
4.5 LESOTHO’S DEMOGRAPHIC FACTS
4.6 LESOTHO’S ENVIRONMENT
4.6.1 LESOTHO’S WASTE MANAGEMENT
4.6.2 THE BASOTHO’S MENTALITY REGARDING THEIR ENVIRONMENT
4.7 LESOTHO’S LEGISLATION
4.8 SOCIO-ECONOMIC BACKGROUND OF LESOTHO’S POPULATION
5. LESOTHO’S CULTURAL AND SOCIAL SITUATION
5.1 HOW BASOTHO LIVE
5.1.1 HEALTH-SITUATION BESIDES HIV AND AIDS AMONG BASOTHO’S POOR
5.1.2 FAMILY FORMS AND ORPHAN CARE IN LESOTHO
5.1.3 LESOTHO’S HOUSEHOLDS
5.1.4 BASOTHO INCAPABILITY IN MAKING OWN DECISIONS
5.2 THE SIGNIFICANCE OF SEX IN AFRICAN SOCIETIES
5.3 MARRIAGE AND THE MINORITY STATUS OF WOMEN IN LESOTHO
5.3.1 MARRIAGE LAW AND IMPLEMENTATION
5.3.2 THE SPECIAL STATUS OF WOMEN IN LESOTHO’S SOCIETY
5.3.4 AGE AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN
5.4 MEN’S ROLE IN LESOTHO’S SOCIETY
5.5 CHILDREN’S STATUS IN LESOTHO’S SOCIETY
5.6 THE SITUATION OF ORPHANS AND VULNERABLE CHILDREN IN LESOTHO
5.6.1 THE GOVERNMENT’S POSITION REGARDING ORPHANS AND ADOPTION IN LESOTHO
5.6.2 OTHER ORPHAN CARE SYSTEMS IN LESOTHO
5.6.2.1 YOUTH BEWARE
5.6.2.2 MANTSASE CHILD VILLAGE
5.6.2.3 MOYENI DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT GROUP
6. HIV AND AIDS A MODERN EPIDEMIC
6.1 THE MEANING OF HIV AND AIDS TO LESOTHO’S POPULATION
6.1.1 HIV AND AIDS IN LESOTHO
6.1.2 PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV AND AIDS
6.1.3 WOMEN AND HIV AND AIDS
6.1.4 MEN AND HIV AND AIDS
6.1.5 HIV AND AIDS-RELATED STIGMA AND DISCRIMINATION
6.1.6 LESOTHO’S GOVERNMENT POLICIES REGARDING HIV AND AIDS
6.1.7 THE KING’S POINT OF VIEW
6.2 CHILDREN AFFECTED AND ORPHANED BY HIV AND AIDS
6.2.1 CHILDREN AS VICTIMS OF EXPLOITATION AND ABUSE
6.2.2 RIGHTS OF CHILDREN AND THE ROLE OF EDUCATION
6.2.3 CHILDREN AS WINDOWS OF HOPE
6.3 THE ROLE OF CULTURE IN THE SPREAD OF HIV AND AIDS
6.3.1 CULTURE, SEXUALITY AND NEGOTIATING SAFE-SEX
6.3.2 THE CULTURE OF SILENCE AND SUPERSTITION
7. KEY APPROACHES TO FIGHTING HIV AND AIDS IN LESOTHO
7.1 LESOTHO CHILD COUNSELING UNIT
7.2 TRADITIONAL LEADERS, TRADITIONAL HEALERS, AND INITIAL SCHOOL LEADERS
8. SOCIAL CHANGE IN LESOTHO’S SOCIETY
8.1 SOCIAL CHANGE IN LESOTHO TO CURB THE HIV AND AIDS EPIDEMIC
8.1.1 CHANGING BASOTHO SELF-CONFIDENCE
8.1.2 CHANGING BASOTHO BEHAVIOR
8.2 SOCIAL CHANGE FOR AN EFFECTIVE AND COMPREHENSIVE RESPONSE TO HIV AND AIDS IN LESOTHO
8.2.1 PREVENTION
8.2.2 TREATMENT AND CARE
8.2.3 LESSENING THE IMPACT
8.2.4 SYSTEMIC DEVELOPMENT
9. TLHOKOMELO SOCIETY, THE TIN/CAN-VILLAGE
9.1 HISTORY OF THE TIN/CAN-PRODUCTS AND THE TIN/CAN-VILLAGE
9.2 TIN/CAN-HOUSE TECHNOLOGY: A CONTRIBUTION TO SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
9.3 TCV – A MEANS OF SOCIAL CHANGE
10. CONCLUSION
Research Objectives and Themes
This thesis examines the social transformation within Lesotho’s society as it responds to the rising number of children orphaned by the HIV/AIDS epidemic. It explores how traditional social structures are failing to cope with this crisis and investigates the emergence of innovative, community-based care models, specifically focusing on the Thlokomelo Society’s "Tin/Can-Village" approach, to determine how they might facilitate both orphan care and broader social progress.
- Analysis of social change processes in Lesotho induced by the HIV/AIDS crisis.
- Evaluation of existing orphan care systems and their limitations in the current socio-economic context.
- Exploration of the role of culture, gender dynamics, and traditional institutions in responding to the pandemic.
- Investigation of the "Tin/Can-Village" as a sustainable, community-driven development and orphan care model.
- Assessment of the link between environmental waste management (tin cans) and social development goals.
Excerpt from the Book
4.6.1 Lesotho’s Waste Management
The management of waste has recently received increasing public attention, in particular in developed countries, where the amount of waste is estimated to double every ten years. Exact figures for Lesotho countrywide are not available. South Africa’s production of solid waste amounts to 300 million tons per year, with mining wastes accounting for 74%. A study on the solid-waste management of Maseru, undertaken in 1987 anticipates that by 1997 Maseru will generate about 491 tons of refuse per week, occupying over 60,000m³ of space per annum, equal to an area of one hectare filled to a height of six meters.
Since Lesotho economy is tied to the economy of South Africa, it is bound to a large extent to follow similar consumption patterns, and these are, as in other developed countries or semi-developed countries, characterized by a luxurious overuse of resources and materials that is geared to fulfil alleged consumer needs and stimulated by clever advertising and marketing strategies. Manufactures are often more concerned with increased turnover and profit than with biodegradability or resource recycling of their goods. Lesotho has thus fallen prey to a “throw-away society”, proof of which may be easily witnessed: millions of tin cans are liberally disposed of in Lesotho’s landscape. One can say the tin can has become Lesotho’s “national flower”.
It is not always easy to ascertain what constitutes waste. For example, suppose a person has emptied a beer bottle which he wants to refill with water or extracts from his car a run-down battery, which he intends to reuse in another car after recharging it. Both items may look like rubbish or waste but, in fact, they are goods of some economic value to the owner, and he does not wish to abandon them. Something, therefore, only becomes waste when the owner wants to get rid of it.
Summary of Chapters
1. INTRODUCTION: Outlines the scope of the study regarding social change in Lesotho in the context of the HIV/AIDS orphan crisis and introduces the Thlokomelo Society project.
2. METHODOLOGY: Details the application of Grounded Theory to investigate social change and orphan care through qualitative field research and internships.
3. DEFINITIONS: Provides essential terminology for the thesis, specifically defining social change, the HIV and AIDS pandemic, and the concept of orphans in Lesotho.
4. LESOTHO, THE SMALL KINGDOM IN SOUTHERN AFRICA: Provides a historical, demographic, and socio-economic overview of Lesotho, highlighting environmental and legislative challenges.
5. LESOTHO’S CULTURAL AND SOCIAL SITUATION: Explores traditional Basotho life, family structures, gender roles, and the status of women and children in the face of societal fragmentation.
6. HIV AND AIDS A MODERN EPIDEMIC: Discusses the impact and dynamics of the HIV/AIDS pandemic, including stigma, cultural barriers, and specific vulnerabilities of women and children.
7. KEY APPROACHES TO FIGHTING HIV AND AIDS IN LESOTHO: Examines specific institutional efforts and the potential roles of traditional leaders and healers in responding to the pandemic.
8. SOCIAL CHANGE IN LESOTHO’S SOCIETY: Analyzes the necessary shifts in behavior, institutional responses, and self-confidence required to effectively curb the epidemic and build a resilient society.
9. TLHOKOMELO SOCIETY, THE TIN/CAN-VILLAGE: Introduces the Tin/Can-Village (TCV) concept as a unique, sustainable model for orphan care and social development in Lesotho.
10. CONCLUSION: Summarizes key findings and reflects on the urgency of empowering communities and children to manage the long-term impact of the HIV/AIDS crisis.
Keywords
Lesotho, HIV/AIDS, Social Change, Orphans, Community-based care, Thlokomelo Society, Tin/Can-Village, Sustainable development, Gender equality, Traditional culture, Orphan care, Vulnerable children, Grounded Theory, Socio-economic crisis.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research?
The work focuses on the social transformation of Lesotho's society in the wake of the HIV/AIDS pandemic, specifically analyzing how the country addresses the growing crisis of children orphaned by the virus.
What are the central thematic areas?
Key areas include the impact of HIV/AIDS on family structures, the status of women and children, the limitations of current orphan care, and innovative community-based solutions like the "Tin/Can-Village".
What is the primary objective of the study?
The primary goal is to analyze social change mechanisms and demonstrate how sustainable, local interventions can improve support systems for orphans in a resource-constrained environment.
Which research methodology is employed?
The research utilizes Barney G. Glaser’s and Anselm L. Strauss’ Grounded Theory, relying on qualitative data gathered through internships and observational fieldwork in Lesotho.
What does the main body cover?
It covers Lesotho’s cultural and social background, the dynamics of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, the role of traditional institutions, and practical strategies for systemic social change.
Which keywords define this thesis?
The work is characterized by terms such as Lesotho, HIV/AIDS, Social Change, Orphans, Thlokomelo Society, Sustainable Development, and Traditional Culture.
How does the "Tin/Can-Village" contribute to sustainable development?
The project repurposes discarded tin cans as affordable, durable building materials, creating income-generating opportunities and secure living environments for orphans and foster mothers, thus combining environmental cleanup with social aid.
What role do women play in the proposed social change?
The thesis emphasizes that empowering women is essential; they are the primary managers of households and communities, and their transition into leadership roles within the TCV model is viewed as a catalyst for breaking patriarchal constraints.
- Quote paper
- Claude Bartelmus (Author), 2004, "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, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/36478
