Hidden within Rwanda, deep in the rural villages, there is a growing epidemic among orphaned, youth heads-of-household. The 1994 genocide in Rwanda, which left over 800,000 people dead, and the fact that over 190,000 Rwandans are currently living with HIV, has created an enormous orphan population within the African nation [1,2]. In 2005, it was estimated that there were over 290,000 orphans in Rwanda under eighteen [3]. The problem is that many of these orphans are not being properly taken care of due to overcrowding of orphanage institutions, and are subsequently heading their own households and taking care of other siblings, or being cared for by other orphans [3].
While it may seem like a temporary solution for some older orphans to lead households, current research indicates that an overwhelming majority of these orphans suffer from clinical depression, which can have devastating effects on young children’s emotional development [3]. The study, conducted by Tulane University, first found some disheartening socio-demographic statistics among Rwandan orphan heads-of-households: 77 percent were subsistence farmers, 93 percent had less than six years of school, 44 percent only ate one meal per day, and almost 80 percent rated their health as not good [4,3]. Additionally, about 25 percent of the orphan’s parents were killed in the 1994 genocide, with the other causes of death being AIDS or “poisoning”, which in Rwanda tends to be the more socially acceptable way of reporting death due to AIDS [3]. In terms of emotional well-being, the information gathered was also dismal. 64 percent of the group surveyed said they had lost confidence in people, 40 percent felt that life was meaningless, 76 percent said their community rejected orphans, and only 26 percent said they had a close friend [3,4]. Another seventy-one percent said they were maltreated, and about fourteen percent reported forced sex.
While some of the underlying causes can be attributed to living situations and lack of economic resources, many of the mental health statistics can be explained through Rwandan culture and events. The study noted that for many orphans, the grieving process is constantly being interrupted through exposure to traumatic events. Participants in the study reported that they often re-experienced events which stopped the normal grieving process [4]. Many showed symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder, which are believed to be attributed to an inability to “make sense of violent parental death.” While the study was being conducted, many regions held ten-year memorial services for the 1994 genocide, and this could certainly have triggered unwelcome memories of the genocide [4].
Aside from interruptions of the grieving process, a cause for the lack of community interaction and lack of friends can be explained by cultural events. 49 percent of those surveyed reported no alcohol use and higher depression levels. Because alcohol is common in village ceremonies, those that drink are the ones that interact with their community, and those who do not or cannot afford alcohol are excluded from such events [4].
While there is no direct research on how caregiver depression can affect younger orphans, there is much research on how parental depression can affect children; children of depressed parents are more likely to be depressed themselves, and are more likely to engage in substance abuse and antisocial activities [5,3] Without any significant changes, it is likely that a large portion of the current youth generation will grow up with severe emotional problems, which could cripple Rwanda socially, economically, and politically. The study suggested that interventions are needed to reduce the social isolation of youth heads-of-household. It also noted that only though major changes in the orphan-care systems in Rwanda can one expect for the rising generation to properly assimilate and thrive [3].
- Rwanda Remembers Genocide Victims”. BBC News. 7 April 2004. 14 October <http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/3606487.stm>.
- “Rwanda Statistics.” UNICEF. 2008. 14 October 2008 < http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/rwanda_statistics.html>.
- Boris, Neil W., Brown, Lisanne A., Ntaganira, Joseph, Nyirazinyoye, Laetitia N., Rice, Janet C., Snider, Leslie M., Thurman, Tonya R. “Depressive Symptoms In Youth Heads of Household in Rwanda.” Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine.162.9 (2008). 16 September 2008 <http://archpedi.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/full/162/9/836>.
- McNeil, Donald G. Jr. “Orphaned by Genocide and AIDS, a Generation Poor and Depressed.” New York Times Company. 9 September 2008. 12 September 2008 <http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/09/health/09glob.html?scp=3&sq=rwanda&st=cse>.
- O’Connor, Richard. “When Parents are Depressed.” HealthyPlace.com. 2006. 14 October 2008 < http://www.healthyplace.com/communities/Depression/children_14.asp>.
- Picture Credit: www.ptpi.org/graphics/Rwanda-School.gif
Tags: Africa, depression, mental health, Rwanda
