The Solomuna Orphanage: a historical survey

Area of Science:

• Child Psychology
• Social Work
• Trauma Studies

Background:

• Eritrean war orphans faced significant social-emotional challenges.
• Orphanage environments require effective restructuring to support child well-being.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the social-emotional status and behavioral symptoms of Eritrean war orphans before and after institutional reorganization.
• To assess the impact of implementing basic clinical principles of child development in group care settings.

Main Methods:

• Direct clinical observations were used to evaluate orphan behavior.
• Behavior checklist questionnaires were administered to assess social-emotional status.

Main Results:

• A dramatic improvement in the emotional state of orphans was observed two years post-restructuring.
• Behavioral symptoms showed significant positive changes following the social reorganization.

Conclusions:

• Humane group care for severely traumatized orphans is achievable despite financial and technical limitations.
• Applying fundamental clinical principles of child development is crucial for improving the well-being of institutionalized children.