“SOME OF THEM COME TO SEE HOW THE AFRICANS ARE” : Children’s perspective on international volunteering in children’s homes in Kenya
Joutsijoki, Anna (2015)
Joutsijoki, Anna
Diakonia-ammattikorkeakoulu
2015
All rights reserved
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2015112517746
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2015112517746
Tiivistelmä
Joutsijoki, Anna. “Some of them come to see how the Africans are” – Children’s perspective on international volunteering in children’s homes in Kenya. Diak South, Helsinki, Fall 2015, 102 p, 6 appendices. Diaconia University of Applied Sciences, Degree Program in Social Services, Bachelor of Social Services (UAS)
The aim of this study was to find out the children’s experiences and perceptions on international volunteering in children’s homes in Kenya. Thus ultimately improving the practices and enhancing the lives of the children by bringing these experiences accessible for everyone interested in international volunteering or offering international volunteering services in children’s homes.
The empirical data was gathered through qualitative methods in two children’s homes in Kenya. Focus group discussions and semi-structured interviews were conducted in order to collect data from the children and the employees. A thematic analysis was used to analyze the data.
Children’s perceptions of international volunteering in children’s homes held both positive and negative aspects to it. Material and financial support, improvement in welfare, and exposure were seen as the main benefits.
The consensus of the reflected data and theory is that even though the children and the employees see the beneficiaries, many of the risks established by the critics
were present in the international volunteering practices at the children’s homes. The risks include inequality, power imbalance, unsustainability, and dependency.
In its current form of international volunteering the benefits do not overcome the risks in regards of the child’s best interest.
Recommendations for future research include studying the recipient perspective, the impacts of attachment on children due international volunteering, shifting from residential care to family-based care, and utilizing the positive aspects of international volunteering without the risks included.
Keywords: international child welfare, children, orphan, children’s home, orphanage, international volunteering, voluntourism, residential care, Kenya
The aim of this study was to find out the children’s experiences and perceptions on international volunteering in children’s homes in Kenya. Thus ultimately improving the practices and enhancing the lives of the children by bringing these experiences accessible for everyone interested in international volunteering or offering international volunteering services in children’s homes.
The empirical data was gathered through qualitative methods in two children’s homes in Kenya. Focus group discussions and semi-structured interviews were conducted in order to collect data from the children and the employees. A thematic analysis was used to analyze the data.
Children’s perceptions of international volunteering in children’s homes held both positive and negative aspects to it. Material and financial support, improvement in welfare, and exposure were seen as the main benefits.
The consensus of the reflected data and theory is that even though the children and the employees see the beneficiaries, many of the risks established by the critics
were present in the international volunteering practices at the children’s homes. The risks include inequality, power imbalance, unsustainability, and dependency.
In its current form of international volunteering the benefits do not overcome the risks in regards of the child’s best interest.
Recommendations for future research include studying the recipient perspective, the impacts of attachment on children due international volunteering, shifting from residential care to family-based care, and utilizing the positive aspects of international volunteering without the risks included.
Keywords: international child welfare, children, orphan, children’s home, orphanage, international volunteering, voluntourism, residential care, Kenya