Thriving in a Time of Transition: Orphaned Youth in Lothlakane East, Botswana

Abstract

Introduction: The purpose of this thesis was to explore how young people in Botswana experience different transitions in their life, and how they cope with these. Method: This qualitative study included 4 focus groups with 19 participants, 4 individual interviews with young people and 2 individual interviews with key informants. The data was analysed utilising a thematic network analysis. Results: The results showed that the participants found themselves in a life situation characterised by many and intertwined challenges which all affected each other. The most surprising and interesting finding was how education was seen as a compulsory requirement for doing well in life. Nontheless, many of the participants had useful resources to cope with the challenges and transitions that affected their lives. The implications of the findings is discussed in relation to the salutogenic model.