A Study of Shelters for Street Children from an Organizational ...

and language of the interviewees and participants in the focus groups discussions
(Terre Blanche and Kelly, 1999:141). In keeping with the purpose of the research, semi­
structured interviews were conducted to collate views and experiences of four shelter
managers or directors. Views and experiences of shelters staffs and residents were
expressed in focus groups discussions. The views and experiences were with regard to
motivation and philosophies behind shelters intervention and reintegration programs,
management style, physical structures, goals and objectives, recruitment of staff,
admission of shelter residents and their participation in shelter programs, service
delivery, funding, routine and recreational facilities and activities. Four shelters in
Durban were visited at different times conveniently arranged with the shelter
management to suit the shelters' routines and availability of the interviewees.
(1) First, interviews were with managers from shelters A, B, C and D at different
months, days and times convenient to the time schedules of the interviewees, because
the researcher honoured time schedules and programs of the shelters. Henning et al.
(2003: 56-60) argues for use of discursive oriented interviews. Terre Blanche and Kelly
(1999:128) state that interviews are simply conversational. Interviews with shelters
were semi-structured which allowed free and flexible interaction between the
researcher and the interviewees. Managers were very cooperative and freely engaged
in the interviews.
(2) Second, focus group discussions with a selected number of staff members and
children living in the shelters. As noted in chapter three, the criteria of selection was
previously discussed, time constraint was also experienced hence the focus group
discussions were spread over a period of time. Each focus group discussion was
undertaken at different months, days and time. Residents in shelter are constant for a
period of one year except in shelter D where children have a choice whether to remain
in the shelter or not to remain. Consequently, different of time and days did not affect
nor impact on data collection, as would have been the case if the residents changed.
Discussions followed after the researcher answered participant's questions and the
process eased the anxiety of the participants.
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