….So from then, we a bit freaky at home, we were scared: Challenges of Providing Foster Care to a Child Living with HIV in South Africa

Foster care is currently the main form of care available to HIV positive children in South Africa, who are no longer in the care of their parents. Thus, the importance of understanding the challenges and needs of foster carers could not be over-emphasized. This paper reports on a study that explored the experiences and needs of foster carers of HIV positive children in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. Participants were recruited from two organizations that provide services to HIV positive children and their foster carers in Cape Town. Grounded on family stress theory and systems theory, in-depth interviews were conducted with 18 foster carers of HIV positive children including 16 female carers and two male carers. Results indicated that the challenges facing foster carers are multifaceted and include the initial adjustment period, interactions with biological parents, finances, dual diagnoses, stigma and fear, the foster carers' own mental and physical health, management of the child's medication and dealing with the child's emotional pain. Health care services were found to be easily accessible, but social services and educational support proved to be a challenge to foster carers. This paper highlights the need for additional emotional support for foster carers and the importance of providing opportunities to voice their challenges and if needed, receive appropriate training and support.