Journal of Social Development in Africa
Volume 31, Issue 2, 2016, Pages 115-130

Resilience among refugees: A case of Zimbabwean refugeechildreninSouthAfrica (Article)

Meda L.*
  • a Central University of Technology, Free State, P. Bag X20539, Bloemfontein, South Africa

Abstract

Refugee learners face traumatising post-migration experiences in South Africa. Their resilience is tested in all spheres - communities which they settle, schools they go to and places they try to get social services. The purpose of this study is to explore post-migration experiences which gave rise to resilience among Zimbabwean refugee children at a refugee school in South Africa. The study was done using a qualitative case study of a school of refugees in South Africa. Twelve refugee children and a school principal were purposively selected to participate in interviews and group discussions. School documents such as enrolment records and examination results were reviewed. It was found that refugee children's experiences require them to be more resilient in order to succeed in a foreign country. A significant contribution that comes out of this study is a resilient identity framework for refugee learners which was developed based on the findings. © 2016 School of Social Work. All rights reserved.

Author Keywords

Resilience Refugee children Post-migration Experiences

Index Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85070404522&partnerID=40&md5=89087cd48c7a9bae92f2021687c9f9f8

ISSN: 10121080
Original Language: English