Psychosocial support for children under the age of 5
Background:
Children under the age of five have been inadvertently neglected in psychosocial support programs, when in actual fact they are viewed as an especially vulnerable group. This has been exacerbated by the fact that a significant number of these children are HIV infected. A desk research carried out in May 2003 revealed that the Prevention of Parent to Child Transmission of HIV Programme was hampered by a shortage of manpower and equipment to ensure its success. Because of the shortage of manpower, mothers end up delivering without being tested for HIV, and as such, newly born children face a high probability of contracting HIV. In-spite of these problems, most mothers are reluctant to take part in the program. Unless the prevention of parent to child transmission is improved, many children will be both infected and affected. It is against this backdrop that Masiye Camp decided to pilot a psychosocial support program for children under the age of 5.
Objectives of the program are:
- To reduce the negative psychosocial impact of HIV and AIDS on the lives of children under the age of 5.
- To equip orphans and vulnerable children under the age of 5 years with life skills.
- To increase awareness of the need to provide psychosocial support to orphans and vulnerable children under the age of 5.
- To increase support structures for orphans and vulnerable children under the age of 5 years.
Model description:
The pilot program began with 5 day camps for the children and their caregivers. Caregivers were trained in a parallel program. However, because of the very delicate nature of this vulnerable group of children, it emerged that camps were not the best way of providing psychosocial support to these children. Because they need constant care and follow up, the idea of play centres was mooted. Children would attend these play centres more regularly, like three times a week, thereby receiving ongoing support and care. To make these play centres more effective, caregivers were trained in Early Childhood Education and Care, basic counselling, the use of herbs and natural remedies for children affected by AIDS. Over ten play centres have since been established in Ward 15 and 16 in Matobo district. Nutrition and herb gardens have since been established as well to compliment the provision of psychosocial support. There is a need to continuously provide refresher courses for caregivers to continuously improve their service delivery.
Lessons Learnt:
- Community camps may not be the best for provision of ongoing PSS. Beginning 2005, the program will no longer hold life skills camps but will instead establish community based play centres for children under the age of 5. It is envisaged that children will attend these play centres regularly and engage in continuous PSS activities.
- Community based programs are more effective in the sense that they allow for involvement of all stakeholders. Because of this, resources can also be mobilized locally. Because of the massive sensitization carried out on a regular basis, the community feel they own the program and their enthusiasm is only impeded by lack of adequate resources.
- Even though the program is for children under the age of 5, it has also benefited the caregivers and volunteers involved in the project. This is because of the rare opportunity that the program gives them to share their problems. The training sessions also give them the opportunity for self introspection as they are given the chance to deal with their issues first before they can effectively work with the children. The trainings also improve their problem solving skills.
- Play centres will have to be complimented by a supplementary feeding programme as most children will be hungry.