OVERVIEW

Psychosocial Support (PSS) refers to activities or interventions directed at supporting children and caregivers deal with emotional, psychological, social and behavioural problems. Despite providing OVC with services such as educational support, nutrition and medical assistance there is need to support OVC who are grieving, traumatised, experiencing stigma and discrimination or who are being abused emotionally, sexually, physically or neglected. MOC wrap-around and continuum care services helps in moulding socially adjusted, self-sustaining, health and responsible citizens. PSS strategies being implored by Mavambo are:

  • building community capacity to recognise and respond to psychosocial distress
  • memory work
  • therapeutic activities (music and dance, art, speak out sessions, role plays, poetry)
  • life-skills’ support (parenting skills, boosting self-confidence, assertiveness and cognitive skills)
  • community-based camps and excursions
  • support groups including for children and adolescents living with HIV

Counselling Programme

Counselling sessions are held with children and caregivers presenting with numerous life challenges to help them adjust and cope with their diverse situations. Sessions reveal deep seated anger, hate and fear among children.

Basic Counselling Training

Mavambo in partnership with CONNECT ZIST trains PSS teachers from partner schools and community members on basic counselling and disclosure support specifically to assist children and adolescents living with HIV. In adapting to the new normal, MOC in partnership with CONNECT ZIST is offering virtual counselling services to clients.

Psycho-social Support (PSS) Activities

Children engage in ball games, poetry, drama and dances equipping them with listening skills, sharing, following instructions and teamwork.

PSS Community Based Camps

The objective of the camps is to encourage children to work together and support each other during difficult times, to foster a spirit of cooperation among peers, as well as to cultivate a sense of belonging among the children. The main features of the camps are games, sports and storytelling.

Singing to the Lions

An evidence-based model that boost self-esteem and confident of OVC to conquer difficulties in their lives. The model is effective in providing PSS to children in emergencies

Talk Time

Talk Time sessions are open discussion fora where children are encouraged to create an atmosphere of openness in whatever they are doing.

Home Visits

Social workers and community volunteers (Shamwari Dzedu) conduct routine visits to children and their families.. The purpose of the visits is to identify successes and challenges encountered by children to inform tailor-made support to them.

Career Fairs

Career guidance is one effort to build children’s confidence and hope. Career fairs helps children to make informed career choices.