INSTITUTIONALIZED CHILD CARE IN URBAN SOUTH AFRICA

Crisis-Affected Families
Health and poverty were almost always mentioned as the catalysts for a childhood
of orphanhood or vulnerability. In many cases, children would be orphaned following the
death of a parent due to HIV/AIDS. In the instances where a parent was not deceased,
they were often unable to provide for their children due to extreme poverty. The
circumstances were often left vague, however most children described their placement at
5Cees by saying “my mother or grandmother could not afford to take care of me.” In
addition, when children themselves tested positive for HIV/AIDS, their treatment and
nutritional needs would place a further burden on the family.
With the prevalence of HIV/AIDS among black communities in South Africa, the
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