This article will focus on several issues and difficulties faced by field staff attemptingto provide substitute family placement for unaccompanied Mozambican children in refugee camps. Field observations make it increasingly apparent that specific policy issues and field practice regarding the fostering of unaccompanied refugee children is a complex area requiring substantial attention and follow-up. Problems and dilemmas include the sheer numbers of children in need of placement, difficulties in locating families able and willing to care for children other than their own, cultural differences among refugees, unsuccessful placements and difficulties in providing follow-up. A brief description of the context of social services provision will point out some of the severe conditions and lack of resources within which workers attempt to provide good foster placement. Our discussion will draw on our work as an international child-focused, non-governmental organisation (NGO) in southern Africa. SCF (USA) works in collaboration with governmental bodies, indigenous NGOs and the refugee community to create the potential for family reunification. Case examples are presented to highlight relevant issues; names and other identifying information have been changed to protect the identity of children and families. A call for the development of culturally appropriate guidelines is made.
Read
