An Assessment of Psychosocial and Empowerment Support Interventions for Orphans and Vulnerable Children in Zimbabwe

This study assessed the different psychosocial and empowerment interventions offered provided to orphans and vulnerable children in a peri-urban district of Zimbabwe. A qualitative design was adopted with the aim of documenting and capturing the views and narratives of the participants. Data was collected through focus-group discussions and personal interviews with thirty (30) children who were purposively sampled. The results of the study show that despite the growing number of orphans and vulnerable children in Zimbabwe, very few interventions have been designed and initiated to meet the psychosocial and empowerment needs of orphans and vulnerable children. Most of the interventions and programmes in existence are mainly centred on meeting the material and day-to-day needs of these children. Interventions singled out as accessible to orphans and vulnerable children included cash transfers, narrative theatre, educational support and therapeutic counselling.