Abstract
The human and social costs of HIV and AIDS pandemic have enormous effects on the lives of children in Zimbabwe in general and Masvingo in particular. This paper based on a generative qualitative research approach and a naturalistic ethnographic research design conducted over a period of one year. The study gathered data from 16 purposively sampled orphans, 4 guidance teachers and analysed documents within a primary school in Masvingo Urban in Zimbabwe. This paper established that orphans in Masvingo Urban, are at risk and experience academic challenges, that their socialization process is severely compromised and that the support structures in Masvingo are inconsistent and inadequate. Among the findings is that female orphans are the most affected and show much distress than their male counterparts. A recommendation is made that policy intended to strengthen the provision of intellectual and social wellness of orphans be implemented and that more awareness advocacy be conducted to highlight the problem.
