The Problems of Orphan Children in War Affected Area and Recommendation of Counseling Programme

Abstract

Since the Sri Lankan war ended in May 2009, wave of sympathy for the victims of the war arose from well-wishers, individuals, charity organizations (INGOS, NGOS) and in turn they expedited their assistance in helping the war victims to resume their normal life as quickly as possible. The war had resulted in the loss of large number of bread winners leaving behind thousands of disabled men and women, widows and orphaned children. Whist armed conflicts keeps increasing all over the world children are the one most affected. There is nothing more immoral in the war item the involvement of children in something they do not understand, they do not choose and they do not have the means physically or mentally to cope with. The displacement, loss of their parents, loss of their childhood, the torture and the Violence they are involved in are potentially harmful to their health and compromising their future. War affected children suffer material problems, emotional problems and social problems. The primary focus of this study was to find out the problems of the orphan children are suffering from and recommendation of effecting counseling programs in the area of study. A sample population of eighty five orphan children was selected, from paramanantha home and sai home. The instrument of data collection was a questionnaire and interviews. The collected data was both quantitative and qualitative and was analyzed by descriptive and content analysis respectfully. Data analysis was carried out using the statistical software SPSS 16.0 version. The descriptive statistical tools helped researcher to describe the data and determine the extent to be used. Correlation studies and simple linear regression were conducted to establish relationships and test hypotheses. The results supported past literature through four of the hypotheses. This study is a first of its kind in Northern Province, and hopes to contribute to the existing body of literature on Orphans, in addition to providing invaluable insights to the Children homes, Researchers and government.