Exclusão social de crianças acolhidas no lar Madre Maria Clara de Mumemo-Marracuene: causas e estratégias de reintegração (2022-2024)

Abstract

The theme of the research is “Social Exclusion of Children Sheltered at the Lar Madre Maria Clara in Mumemo-Marracuene: Causes and Reintegration Strategies (2022–2024)”. The central research problem concerns the factors leading to the exclusion of orphaned children within their family environments and the implications of such exclusion on their overall development. The study followed a qualitative and descriptive approach, based on action-research methodology. Data collection instruments included direct observation and semi-structured interviews, applied to a purposive sample of 25 sheltered children and one social worker from the institution. Data analysis was guided by Bertalanffy’s Systems Theory and Bordenave’s Theory of Participation, which enabled the understanding of social exclusion as a rupture in affective bonds and in the child’s active participation in decisions concerning their life. The findings reveal that orphanhood, poverty, neglect, and abandonment are the main causes of institutional sheltering. The research further revealed that family reintegration is shown to be a complex process that demands careful planning, psychosocial support, and active listening to the child. This process requires individualized strategies such as family mapping, supervised visits, and post-reintegration follow-up. The social worker plays a key role in mediating between the child, the family, and the institution, fostering the reconstruction of affective ties and promoting social inclusion. The study concludes that building a support network and implementing participatory strategies are essential to effectively address exclusion and ensure the rights of children in vulnerable situations.