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An analysis of the provision for very young children (0-8 years) affected by HIV and AIDS in commercial farm worker and former farm worker communities
Kennedy Chakanyuka, Farm Orphan Support Trust of Zimbabwe
September, 2004

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Executive summary
The Farm Orphan Support Trust of Zimbabwe (FOST) is a registered Private Voluntary Organisation (P.V.O. 3/97). FOST was set-up to proactively increase the capacities of the farming communities to respond to the orphan crisis and ensure that systems are in place to protect and care for these most vulnerable individuals.

This situational analysis was done when the situation on farm communities had deteriorated considerably, as increasing numbers of farms were designated and occupied or changed "ownership". The effect was particularly marked in regard to the stability of the farm worker community, and indeed of the farm community as a whole.

The study was a rapid assessment and participatory rural appraisal (PRA) tools were used to gather qualitative and quantitative data from a wide range of people within the community, including children. A total of 15 workshops in two provinces, with 458 participants were conducted. 220 children (48%), 179 community members (39%) and 59 stakeholders (13%) were involved in this situational analysis.

The ten most significant problems, in order of importance, that OVC between 0 and 8 years, were experiencing were:

• inadequate food;
• lack of love – a feeling of being excluded or discriminated;
• poor access to health care;
• lack of adequate shelter;
• inadequate clothing;
• lack of protection and guidance;
• problems in acquiring birth certificates;
• inadequate blankets;
• lack of recreational facilities
• money.

The Situation Analysis of Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) gave the following insights to the perceptions of farm communities and other stakeholders:

• There is very little awareness and even fewer specific responses at any level to the effects of HIV and AIDS on very young children.
• Interventions to support very young children affected by HIV and AIDS must not separate them from other children because this stigmatizes them
• Poverty is the primary problem many Zimbabwean families and children face. Communities felt that most young children, regardless of status, are vulnerable to the effects of poverty. Orphaned children do, however, often have less access to resources at household level.
• Children identified that psycho-social support is more important to them than material support, especially for very young children.
• The issues of supporting children affected by HIV and AIDS is a family and community issue and best interventions are based at household and community level.
• The severe pressure on communities, due to physical, financial and social insecurity, compromises their ability to respond and consequently interventions need to address the overall community capacity and should find ways to build the economic strength of the community as a whole
• NGOs are providing valuable interventions to enhance the Government response, which is grappling to provide action proportionate to the crisis. It was found, however, that activities are scattered and uncoordinated, even at district level.
• There are significant gaps at policy and implementation levels regarding very young children. Policies need to incorporate the specific needs and rights of very young children.

Observations about community interventions that came from the discussion with communities are:

• The effective way to mainstream very young children is to build on and enhance existing community informal initiatives.
• Engage in awareness campaigns at all levels about early childhood
• The DAAC should play a leading role in coordinating community efforts
• Caregivers should be made aware of the specific nutrition needs of very young children
• External organizations should build capacity within the community to be able to identify the needs of very young OVC
• Any intervention must try as much as possible to ensure that siblings remain together if it is in the interest of the child
• Despite cultural taboos, there is a need to educate communities about the importance of talking to children, even very young children, about HIV and AIDS and about their sick or deceased parents.

Possible approaches to enhance community initiatives to support very young (0-8 years) OVC include:

• Using the community as a starting point and encouraging the commitment of the whole community. Using NATF monies to better support community level responses at both a policy and implementation level.
• Facilitating scale up of exiting interventions can be done through capacity building of CBOs
• Undertaking awareness-raising with the traditional and spiritual leadership in communities to raise awareness regarding cultural practices and their impact on very young OVC.
• Training community members in psycho-social support for very young children affected by HIV and AIDS
• Using peer led activities to compliment other community based responses
• Supporting the establishment of ECEC centres in the farming communities and revitalizing centres that have fallen in to disrepair
• Encourage children’s participation in all programme activities that affect them.
• Find alternative livelihood options for former farm communities to enable them to respond to vulnerable groups
• Improve access of vulnerable children to education, health and other mainstream services in the community.

The paper recommends four key strategies for realising children's rights and well-being:

• Awareness raising and advocacy at all levels.
• Focusing development on community social and economic empowerment.
• Strengthening capacity at all levels for promoting the rights of very young children.
• Increasing participation of children of all ages in decision-making processes.

Visit the Farm Orphan Support Trust of Zimbabwe fact sheet

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