Approaches for Psychosocial Support Towards Orphans and Vulnerable Children by Community-based Workers in the Vhembe District, South Africa

The Orphans and Vulnerable Children's (OVC) crisis has raised the need for alternative solutions to OVC's problems. These new alternatives gave prominence to the growth of community-based organizations (CBOs) and their interventions. Community-based interventions are a crucial component of the response to make sure components of the response to ensure that the demands of OVCs are mitigated as they offer initial support and act as well-being nets.

A qualitative exploratory-descriptive design was used to explore possible approaches to psychosocial support for OVC from community workers. This study was conducted in four municipalities of Vhembe district, South Africa: Thulamela, Makhado, Collins Chabane and Musina. The population consisted of community workers working with AIDS-vulnerable and orphaned children in the Vhembe district. Data were collected in focus group discussions with community staff using a focus group discussion guide with open-ended questions. The data were analysed according to Tesch’s open data analysis guide to analyse qualitative data. The measures to ensure trustworthiness included transferability, conformability, credibility, and dependability.

The study concluded that community-based organisations are providing psychosocial support interventions to OVC. Conversely, the study also revealed that community-based organisations are experiencing challenges when delivering those services to OVC.