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| Kelsey and friends |
Chipulukusu: 10 Child Support Specialists (CSS) are working with the groups. They held their first solo support group without my help and were so proud of their success!
Zamtan: 8 CSS volunteering
These women have completely blown me away! They are holding groups 2x a month and have been doing this since May. They also go out in the community to meet caregivers, explain what the CSS are doing, and make connections with the orphans. They said that at first, it was very difficult to get support of caregivers, but now after the orphans have come to the groups, the caregivers are asking about the next group sessions!!
The set-up is a bit different here: They have different children at each group with no set groups that meet consistently. They said that they talk and listen and the children do dramas (the children prepared several dramas for us while we were there - so eye-opening to get a child's perspective of the life of an orphan!)
Kasompe:12 CSS are volunteering!
The CSS here have a great partnership going with the teachers at the school. When the teachers identify an orphan who needs help, they call the CSS to come and meet with them and try to meet that need (example given was a child who needs care at a clinic).
They have identified 7 children to participate in an ongoing support group. They already have the schedule set for the meetings to be 2x a week after school.
Overall, EXTREMELY encouraging!! It seems that the training last year was quite effective and the women were excited to have follow up education and support for this next step. We'll see what happens with it.....Each group has elected a chairperson for the CSS who will be reporting information. I have asked them to share their successes, their difficulties, or additional support they identify needing from HEC.
Kelsey also said she could tell a difference in the children even after the first session!! At last, they feel special!!
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