"Koma ndizovuta" (But It's Hard): Understanding Custodial Grandparenting in Malawi to Inform Community School Development

• In Event: International Educational Research

Abstract

In Malawi, 16% of children have been orphaned and many are being raised by grandparents. Findings from focus groups with 29 grandparents raising grandchildren in rural Malawi point to complex intersections of trauma, stress, community support, resiliency, and a desire to engage with their grandchildren’s education. Presented jointly by the Malawian and U.S. collaborators, this research seeks to understand these intersections to facilitate the role of the school in addressing complex social-emotional and developmental issues with children and youth. By understanding the important role of a community school with robust family engagement practices with custodial grandparents, community schools in the U.S. can learn important aspects of engagement with custodial grandparents that can enrich their school community.

Authors

• Youjung Lee, Binghamton University - SUNY

• Phoebe Kufeyani, Malawi Children's Mission

• Lisa Blitz, Binghamton University - SUNY