The Solomuna Orphanage: a historical survey

The social-emotional status and behavioral symptoms of Eritrean war orphans were compared before and after a major social reorganization of the institution had been implemented. The comparison was based on direct clinical observations and behavior checklist questionnaires. Two years after the orphanage was restructured, the emotional state of the orphans had improved dramatically. The findings suggest that even when financial and technical resources are severely limited, it is possible to provide humane group care for severely traumatized orphans by applying basic clinical principles of child development.