The Children and family Programme

Overview

The Vulnerable Children and Families Programme is a psychosocial support and child protection programme which aims at creating an environment that enable children to develop holistically (physically, socially emotionally and educationally) and strive to reach their full potential. It strives to build resilience for both children and their families as well as sensitizing communities about the importance of prevention child abuse neglect and maltreatment. The program employs the holistic and strength based approach when working with parents and caregivers, strengthening their abilities and positive attributes that enables them to provide a safe nurturing environment for the children.

Target groups

Children between 7-15 years attend psychosocial support groups.

Parents and caregivers – parenting skills, empower with diverse ways of increasing food security, this includes budgeting, exploring other streams of income to support child support grant, budgeting, create and facilitate   communication between parents and schools, to maximise support and develop  interest in children’s school  performance.

Community childcare volunteers are identified, screened, and trained to provide community based psychosocial support to children and their families, offer emotional support to parents and caregivers and do referrals for further intervention.

Local political and traditional leadership participate in sensitization sessions about children’s rights and child protection and create ongoing dialogues about children’s rights and child protection and encourage men and other stakeholders to participate in the protection of children.

African Proverb: The child who is not embraced by the village will burn it down to feel its warmth.

The long term-outcomes which this programme is working towards are:

• A cadre of effective CBWs who feel supported, respected, and motivated in their role.
• Caregivers who feel supported, respected, and motivated in their role.
• Children participate in decisions concerning them and can express their feelings.
• Parents refrain from using harsh punishment and use discipline that teaches children self-discipline and respect.
• Children’s rights like all human rights are well understood and protected.
• Children academic performance is improved and support measures for those who experience learning difficulties are undertaken.
• Children are protected from abuse and harm.
• Communities are striving towards the same goal of creating a safe and nurturing environment for the children and uphold and respect children’s rights.
• Children have a safe environment to play in
• Reporting of abuse cases increases