This manual aims to help trainers, OVC programme staff and volunteers refocus on the non-material support they offer to children and to demonstrate how this can be offered in a structured way.

A report on several pilot projects launched by the World Vision and affiliated microfinance institutions to address the association between poverty and HIV. A description of pilot projects in Zimbabwe, Uganda, South Africa and Malawi are discussed.

Analyzes the state of institutional care in Zimbabwe against the national child protection policy. Focuses on the role of donors in the proliferation of institutional care and strategies to better regulate the development and provision of child protection services.

Sound practices culled from the experiences of CRS Zimbabwe’s Support to Replicable, Innovative, Village/Community-Level Efforts to support children affected by AIDS (STRIVE) Program on Operations Research.

Discusses the interplay between informal and formal safety net mechanisms in supporting orphans and children made vulnerable by HIV/AIDS. Includes recommendations for strengthening traditional family and community safety nets weakened by the epidemic.

This paper outlines a program (SIMBA) established to work with local AIDS Service Organizations (ASOs) in Zimbabwe to promote economic development in HIV/AIDS affected communities. Efforts to promote capacitiy building of organizations, self-managed and savings-based microfinance services, and basic business management training are described.

A review of interventions for orphaned and vulnerable children that focuses on community-supported, home-based care examples. Highlights several models and programs, such as the COPE approach and Village AIDS Committees. Advocates the need for more research-based interventions and evaluation.

An informal evaluation of an NGO residential institution in Zimbabwe, based on the opinions of the child residents. Includes recommendations for the improvement of residential care.

Research on the incidence, living arrangements, and causes of lower school enrollment of orphans in Sub-Saharan Africa.

A report of an action research study done by Farm Orphan Support Trust of Zimbabwe (FOST), to learn about the problems of child-headed households on commercial farms in Mashonaland Central and Manicaland provinces. The report includes the problems indentified and some recommendations for interventions, such as integration of psycho-social support and provision of material needs.