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South Africa

Emotionally Safe Schools for OVC Program

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Activity Dates

2006 – ongoing

Activity Summary

To respond to the needs of orphans and vulnerable children, The Valley Trust, one of South Africa’s oldest and best known Non-Government Organizations, developed the Emotionally Safe Schools programme. The project facilitates the creation of emotionally safe schools in which children have at least one safe place in their lives where they can be themselves, share their feelings, emotions and circumstances and have a trusting relationship with an adult. The integrated intervention works in communities with youth and adult care givers, as well as faith based organizations (FBO).

The project was evaluated by Dr. Susan Schalekamp of the RAU and found to have made a significant improvement in the self-worth of educators, learners and parents as well as safe school environment.

Objectives

1. To support and nurture the emotional literacy/intelligence of the educators and sensitise them, through ongoing personal development training, to the distress of children and the need for caring ‘emotionally safe’ classrooms.
2. To empower educators to implement classroom/whole school strategies that build the self esteem and develop the emotional and social skills of the learners and lead to a caring school climate.
3. To facilitate the creation of a care-support network around each school that will assist and empower educators, parents and other community members to work together and support their vulnerable children in a sustainable way.
4. To strengthen capacity for increased food security and good nutrition for OVC and caregivers.

Implementation

1. Personal development training, sensitization, and empowerment of educators
2. Creation of a care-support network around each school
3. Strengthened capacity for increased food security and good nutrition for OVC and caregivers

Audiences

Educators, school leaders, parents, orphans and vulnerable children, community members, care givers 

Partners

The Valley Trust

Back to South Africa

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