Browsing by Author "Fournier, Bonnie"

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Hear our voices: A Photovoice project with children who are orphaned and living with HIV in a Ugandan group home
    (Children and Youth Services Review, 2014) Fournier, Bonnie; Bridge, Andrea; Kennedy, Andrea Pritchard; Alibhai, Arif; Konde-Lule, Joseph
    In June 2010, we conducted a qualitative participatory research study to explore the experience of orphaned, HIV seropositive children who live in a group home in semi-urban western Uganda. Photovoice was used as a participatory method to enhance storytelling with children between 12 and 18years (n=5 girls; n=8 boys). In previous project work done by the research team in Uganda, children's affirming experiences in their group home suggested an extension to the dominant view that favors extended family placements, and raises the need for further inquiry regarding institutional care. Children in this study revealed how the group home supported key protective factors in their everyday lives that promote well-being, and resilience for coping with challenges such as stigma. Children expressed how their group home fostered a sense of belonging and appreciation for nature, home, resources and community. Children also described their hardships stemming from stigma, including associated psychological, emotional and social challenges. This forces us to re-think the role of institutional care for orphaned children who are HIV seropositive, guided by the unique perspective of children themselves. This research extends our understanding of key protective factors, while also challenging the dominant view to include institutional care as an effective placement option for those that require specialized care and support. Moreover, findings demonstrate that HIV seropositive orphaned children who live in a group home setting experience protective factors supporting their psychological, emotional and social well-being.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Turning the Camera Back: A Photovoice Project With Ugandan Children who are Orphaned and Living with HIV
    (Sage Open, 2014) Fournier, Bonnie; Bridge, Andrea; Kennedy, Andrea Pritchard; Konde-Lule, Joseph
    There is limited literature describing the methodological and pragmatic considerations that arise when conducting participatory action research utilizing Photovoice with children, particularly within sub-Saharan Africa. We provide a case example of these considerations based on a qualitative exploratory design that was conducted in June 2010 with 13 children between the ages of 12 and 18 years who were orphaned and living with HIV in a group home setting in Western Uganda. The main purpose of this study was to explore the children’s experiences while including them in a participatory way utilizing Photovoice to share their stories, define their issues, and propose their own solutions. Conducting research in another country where language and culture are different from the researchers’ can pose many unique methodological, epistemological, and ethical challenges. These issues are discussed by reflecting on the process of the study. Key lessons will also be discussed regarding the methodological and pragmatic considerations with the aim of providing new insights for researchers who want to conduct research in a cross-cultural and multilingual setting.