This study examined the short-term impacts of COVID-19-related orphanhood on children and adolescents in peri-urban Khayelitsha, South Africa, finding that those who lost a parent or primary caregiver experienced significantly greater mental health burdens, food insecurity, caregiving responsibilities, and engagement in social risk behaviours compared to peers without such loss.

Given the severe impacts of the HIV/AIDS epidemic and chronic poverty, the care of orphans and other vulnerable children (OVC) is a significant national issue in Zambia. This article examines the evolution of governance and policy for the care of OVC and identifies the factors that have shaped Zambia’s priority for and capacity to address this issue.

This paper examines the benefits of foster care by exploring the experiences of foster care leavers and the perspectives of social workers in Tshwane District Municipality, Gauteng Province, South Africa. The findings highlight that foster care placements provide foster care leavers with essential support, including basic necessities, a family-like environment, improved relationships, independence, recreational opportunities, poverty reduction, therapeutic support, and educational benefits.

This study assessed the situation of street children in Lubumbashi, DRC through a survey of 250 children across the city’s seven municipalities in November 2021. The findings highlight the urgent need for stronger state involvement, organizational support, and parental responsibility to address and reduce the phenomenon of street children.

Interviews with care leavers and instructors in Zimbabwe found that institutional life skills programs strengthen resilience, self-reliance, and adaptability, helping youth navigate challenges after leaving care. However, outdated curricula, limited follow-up support, and restricted financial access constrain agency and economic participation, highlighting the need for more relevant training and structured transitional support.

This study examined how disability status affects the well-being of children in Kenya who were reunified with families after living in residential care. It found that children with disabilities reported lower well-being and life satisfaction compared to their peers without disabilities, highlighting the need for targeted support during reunification.

Understanding the circumstances in which children migrate is important to ensure their well-being. Yet, child migration in sub-Saharan Africa is not easy to measure.

The Ogun State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Adijat Adeleye, has warned orphanage homes in the state against putting up children for adoption without getting the state government’s approval and clearance.

AVSI has implemented the project “HOME 2 – Ensuring protection to vulnerable children in Sierra Leone and Ivory Coast”, funded by the Italian Commission for International Adoption (CAI).

In this video, practitioners, faith leaders, and a Kafaalah caregiver share experiences in promoting and strengthening Kafaalah as an important part of family-based alternative care in Kenya.