Household livelihood: the church's coping strategies against the impact of HIV and AIDS on the female-headed households in the KwaDlangezwa Area

Abstract
The research concerns the role the Church can play in mitigating the impact of HiV and AIDS on the female-headed households in KwaDalngezwa. This is considered through the use of livelihood activities. The first chapter gives an overview of the whole research. The chapter shows the essence and importance of the research. In chapter two is the literature review on the impact of HIV and AIDS in general and KwaDlangezwa community in particular. In this chapter, the issues of a female-headed household, household livelihood activities and a household as a unit of the study were discussed. The chapter also considers the issues of livelihood systems and their components. In chapter three, the research addresses the research design and methodology. The chapter also deals with the framework for this research. Chapter four discusses the issues of a household profile and means of livelihood. Also included in this chapter are household structure, composition, division of labour, livelihood assets and resources. In chapter five, the focus is on the discussions and evaluation of the research. The chapter goes further to address the issues of death and funerals as they affect the female-headed household in KwaDlangezwa. The chapter then concludes with the constraints facing the female-headed household. In the final chapter, the research argues that a combination of agriculture [subsistence farming], empowerment, emancipation and education are alternatives to Black Economic Empowerment [BEE]. These will provide the most practical contribution the Church can make. Under agriculture, the issues of planting, processing and storage systems are discussed while micro-enterprises focus on beadwork and pottery. Under BEE the research pays attention to empowerment, emancipation and education as the alternative to Black Economic Empowerment only. These are the most practical ways of reaching the poor, especially women. The chapter goes further to address the issue of the Child Support Grant. This is because some people have adopted the Child Support Grant as their only means of livelihood, it concludes with a number of business opportunities the Church can use to mitigate the impact of HIV and AIDS on a female-headed household in KwaDlangezwa.
Description
Submitted to the Department of Theology and Religion Studies In fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Theology In the Division of Systematic Theology, Ethics and History of Christianity at the University of Zululand, 2006.
Keywords
HIV/AIDS and the church
Citation
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