Psychosocial Support
Many OVCs experience severe trauma. The emotional wounds caused by the death of parents can be devastating. The uncertainty of the future can render orphaned children helpless and hopeless. If left unaddressed, the psychosocial effects of orphan hood may lead to distress, apathy, depression, frustration, aggression or anti-social behaviour. These effects increase social tension, prolong the recovery process and weaken their resilience in the long term.
Orphan hood is often stigmatised, which may mean social isolation. In addition, many OVCs have been subject to multiple abuses, living on the streets, or seeking any form of paid employment. This makes psychosocial support for OVCs of primary concern to help them better perform in school and society.
We work with organisations that support OVCs to help ensure children receive psychosocial support. With assistance from REPSSI (Regional Psychosocial Support Initiative) and UNICEF, NOVOC is training caregivers across the country in psychosocial support.
So far, over 130 CBOs have been trained on psychosocial support. Our challenge is to reach the rest of the OVC support organisations.
Issues Statement
Malawi currently has over 1 million OVCs. Issues such as HIV/AIDS and their effects on society are increasing this number. Despite the devastating statistics regarding the orphan crisis in Malawi, there are signs of hope. Hundreds of community organisation have been formed to help meet the needs of these orphans.
Unfortunately, many of these organisations have little training in social support and so don’t necessarily know how best to support the OVCs. Most interventions only seek to address the physical needs, neglecting love, care and support. There is great need for psychosocial support to be mainstreamed in these interventions to ensure positive human development.
It is critical that the capacity of these organisations to provide psychosocial support is increased. However, there is a lack of coordination, dissemination and documentation on what is happening in psychosocial support in Malawi.
Program Goal
- Build the capacity of organisations working with OVCs around psychosocial issues affecting OVCs.
- Generate knowledge to ensure that psychosocial support follows evidence-based research and best practice.
- Through this, enable OVCs to realize their fullest potential and to meaningfully contribute to national development.
Psychosocial Support Source Book
This Source Book is a practical guide for service providers working with children in Malawi. It aims to improve psychosocial support services to orphans and other vulnerable children, by bringing together available knowledge and experiences in a user-friendly manner. The publication presents strategies and tools in the PSS service area in Malawi. STOP AIDS NOW!, March 2011.
