A Studuy of 67 Tesfegna Childeren: Meeting Partial Physical Needs Atjimma University
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Date
2008-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
This research has been conducted on Tesfegna children who resorted on Jimma
University students' leftover food. Because of their sheer of poverty & food insecurity,
many of them are impelled to depend on others, primarily, to find food. Tesfegna is the
local name designated to these leftover food consumers. This study is designed to
investigate the psychosocial experiences of leftover food dependent children. Data
gathered were the personal & parental socio-demographic profiles, parenting styles,
perceptions/attitudes, psychological well beings and interpersonal relationships. A total
of 67 target sampled respondents (children), who are 11 to 16 years old and 16 relevant
individuals to the children (university's employees, persons living near the campus &
chair persons of neighborhood keebeles,) were participated on the study. Both
respondents were taken by using purposive sampling technique. Questionnaire (open &
closed), interview and observations were used to collect the data. Version-13 SPPS
software program was used to analyze the frequency distribution (percentages) of the
quantitative data whereas similar qualitative responses were coded and categorized in to
themes. Results revealed that there are favorable and unfavorable aspects of leftover
food consumption. The children were quite vulnerable to various psychosocial problems,
yet from physical observations, some are seemingly well. A large number of them
(65.7%) have lost at least one of their parents. Even most of their living parents' families
are broken ones (86.6%) and live below subsistence level. Besides, the majorities of their
mothers and/or fathers were sick and illiterates. Many of the children (65.7%) were not
learning formal education in the academic year 2007; and parental, community's and
legal care & attention for them were scarce. Feeding on leftover food has made them to
be perceived negatively and marginalize by the community. This has resulted in aversion
and mass discrimination. They have also been victims of verbal and physical violence.
These have exacerbated the Tesfegna children's plight and therefore, their selfconfidence,
hope and emotional well being. This research, however, is explanatory in
nature and only a pioneering research initiative, hence further researches are
recommended.
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67 Tesfegna Childeren: Meeting