Exploring International K~nship Care Arrangement: The case of Ethiopian Children applying for Australian Orphan relative Visa
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Date
2016-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
This study explored international kinship care arrangement in Ethiopia,jocusing on
Ethiopian children who apply for an Australian Orphan Relative Visa. A qualitative
exploratory research method with a cross-sectional case study strategy was used. The
main research participants were Ethiopian children who were applyingfor orphan relative
visas at the time of data collection. Additionally, key informants from MoWA and Federal
First instance Court participated in the study. With the help of a semi structured interview
guide, in-depth interviews conducted on reasons that lead children to apply for an
Australian orphan relative visa, expectations from such placements, availability of pre
placement services and legal bases for such care arrangements. Additionally, data also
was derivedfrom observations, document reviews and secondary sources. The data
collectedfrom different sources were analyzed using thematic and cross case analysis
methods. The study identified two main categories of children who apply for international
kinship care placements in Australia: Children who cannot be caredfor by family
resources in the country because of permanent loss of parental care or inability of parents
to take care of them, and Children who use this arrangement as a mechanism to access a
better life in Australia. Children expect to get better education, employment, material
benefits and living conditions after placement abroad. However, they express concerns
about how well they will be treated by relatives abroad. Pre-placement services provided
for these children lack a standardized and holistic approach. Furthermore, lack of clarity
on the legal protection that should be given to children in international kinship care
arrangement puts them in a precarious socio-legal situation.
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Keywords
Ethiopian children who apply