Experiences of orphans and caregivers regarding services rendered by the Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA) Fund of Namibia.

Abstract

Children are the future of any nation and they need to be well nurtured, protected, supported and directed to become responsible citizens and future leaders of a nation. A high number of children end up as orphans and vulnerable children due to losing one or both parents as a result of motor vehicle accidents. Most studies in the past have concentrated on orphans that arise due to HIV/AIDS but very few studies have been conducted on orphans that arise due to motor vehicle accidents. The main organisation which was the focus for this study was the Motor Vehicle Accidents (MVA) Fund of Namibia which pays Loss of Support to orphans under the age of 21 years left behind by one or both parents due to motor vehicle accidents. The Loss of Support is payable to the minor’s legal guardian on an annual basis. An MVA Fund staff member visits them annually, one month prior to payment, to verify and check if the orphan is still with the same caregiver and how they spent the money paid the previous year. The MVA staff member then makes a recommendation either for the MVA Fund to proceed paying, or to effect the necessary changes if there are any to be made