refugee children accommodated in camps. It should be noted that most of the available research on refugee minors is mostly quantitative, thus does not capture the emotions and feelings of unaccompanied refugee minors (Silverman, 2000). Above all, the research will inform future researches on the importance of gathering information from the perspective of the affected children. Reynolds (1991) affirms the existence of information gaps in knowledge experiences. This is due to the about children’s tendency by most researchers, relying on about children. It is important to note adults’ views that the views of adults can radically differ from the views of children. In addition, a human rights approach to researches on unaccompanied refugee minors ensures a holistic approach to qualitative research on minors. Therefore, unaccompanied refugee minors will be engaged as people in their own right. In addition to academic benefits, the study will enable social workers, humanitarian aid workers and development practitioners to identify shortcomings of the current formal assistance being availed to unaccompanied minors in refugee camps. Most importantly the study will give a voice to these marginalized children who have had assistance imposed on them without taking into account what they see as their pressing and important needs. It is also important to note that whilst this study is for academic purposes, its findings can also be used for advocacy as well as in influencing policy and programme formulation to meet psycho-social and human rights needs of unaccompanied refugee minors in Zimbabwe and in similar situations in Africa.
refugee children accommodated in camps. It should be noted that most of the available research on refugee minors is mostly quantitative, thus does not capture the emotions and feelings of unaccompanied refugee minors (Silverman, 2000). Above all, the research will inform future researches on the importance of gathering information from the perspective of the affected children. Reynolds (1991) affirms the existence of information gaps in knowledge about children’s experiences. This is due to the tendency by most researchers, relying on adults’ views about children. It is important to note that the views of adults can radically differ from the views of children. In addition, a human rights approach to researches on unaccompanied refugee minors ensures a holistic approach to qualitative research on minors. Therefore, unaccompanied refugee minors will be engaged as people in their own right. In addition to academic benefits, the study will enable social workers, humanitarian aid workers and development practitioners to identify shortcomings of the current formal assistance being availed to unaccompanied minors in refugee camps. Most importantly the study will give a voice to these marginalized children who have had assistance imposed on them without taking into account what they see as their pressing and important needs. It is also important to note that whilst this study is for academic purposes, its findings can also be used for advocacy as well as in influencing policy and programme formulation to meet psycho-social and human rights needs of unaccompanied refugee minors in Zimbabwe and in similar situations in Africa.