Abstract:
The study explored counselling needs of orphan children in Bethel orphanage in
Gomoa Central district, Ghana. Phenomenological design within qualitative approach
was adopted. Purposive sampling technique was used to select 15 (10) orphan
children and five (5) workers to constitute the sample for the study. Semi-structured
interview was the main instruments that was used to gather the data. The collected
data was analysed thematically. It was found that orphan children received social
supports such as food, clothing, Covid-19 personal protective equipment and
encouragement among others. Also, sadness and rejection among peers were the
psychological experiences of orphan children. Further, assistance in the form of food,
clothing and pieces of advice orphan children received from friends, individuals in the
community and religious groups helped orphan children to cope with their
psychological experiences. More so, orphan children had counselling needs such as
someone to talk to, show orphan children care and love as well as to listen to their
problems. It was concluded that these children were assisted by some individuals and
organisations. Besides, they often went through sad moment and rejection from their
peers. Again, they received encouragement from their peers, teachers and elderly
people as a way of coping. Also, these children had counselling needs, but did not get
professional counsellors to help them meet these needs. It was recommended that
individuals, groups and religious organizations should frequently supply orphan
children with basic needs of life. Again, it was recommended that, teachers and school
authorities should do their best to educate and orient students on the need to accept
these orphans as friends and colleague. Also, the manager of Bethel orphanage should
employ professional counsellors who would help provide counselling needs to these
orphan children
Description:
A thesis in the Department of Counselling Psychology,
Faculty of Educational Studies, submitted to the School of
Graduate Studies in partial fulfilment
of the requirements for the award of degree of
Master of Philosophy
(Counselling Psychology)
in the University of Education, Winneba