THE LIVED EXPERIENCES OF COMMUNITY CHILD CARE WORKERS OPERATING DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC IN ZIMBABWE: A CASE STUDY OF "EGYPT" AND "CANAAN", SUB-RESIDENTIAL AREAS OF HIGHFIELD SUBURB IN HARARE

Abstract: This study was carried out to establish the lived experiences of the Community Child Care Workers (CCWs) during the COVID 19 pandemic as they continued with their duties. To that end, the study made use of a qualitative research methodology to guide its data collection and analysis. As a result, data collection for this study was done through a merger of in-depth interviews, focus group discussion, and key informant interviews. Following thematic content analysis, the study findings established that CCWs were confronted with several challenges as a result of the COVID 19 pandemic namely increased caseloads, transport problems and insufficient protective clothing increasing their risk of contracting the COVID 19. Despite battling these challenges, CCWs reported that they continued to address various child protection issues arising from the COVID 19 pandemic. Such child protection issues include child labor, destitution, food insecurity and child abuse owing to domestic violence. Acknowledging the impact of the challenges they are facing due to the COVID 19 pandemic, CCWs revealed that they have been employing several strategies to cope with them such as using their own cars to easy transport challenges, use of Zoom meetings and buying reusable face masks. Considering the importance of the CCWs in the Zimbabwe National Case Management System, the study recommended that the government should make efforts to improve the narration of the experiences of the CCWs during the pandemic, without their full participation many child protection cases will remain unaddressed. Keywords: Experiences, Child, Care, Workers, Community, Pandemic, Covid 19. Title: THE LIVED EXPERIENCES OF COMMUNITY CHILD CARE WORKERS OPERATING DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC IN ZIMBABWE: A CASE STUDY OF "EGYPT" AND "CANAAN", SUB-RESIDENTIAL AREAS OF HIGHFIELD SUBURB IN HARARE Author: Davison Maunganidze, Cheryl Voga Makamba International Journal of Interdisciplinary Research and Innovations ISSN 2348-1218 (print), ISSN 2348-1226 (online) Vol. 12, Issue 3, July 2024 - September 2024 Page No: 20-40 Research Publish Journals Website: www.researchpublish.com Published Date: 15-August-2024 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.13325551 Paper Download Link (Source) https://www.researchpublish.com/upload/book/THE%20LIVED%20EXPERIENCES%20OF%20COMMUNITY-15082024-4.pdf