A Culturally Sensitive Psychosocial Support Programme for Orphans and Vulnerable Children in Vhembe District, South Africa

ABSTRACT Background An African proverb, ‘It takes a village to raise a child’, is commonly acknowledged by the South African and other African populations. This proverb means that everybody is responsible for raising children into responsible human beings. Therefore, child‐rearing is a collective responsibility of the family, community and society. However, orphans and vulnerable children are still experiencing psychosocial distress, battling with the same disease that killed their parents, grief and stigma. As much as assistance in different forms is offered to orphans and vulnerable children, culturally sensitive psychosocial support has been neglected. Aim This study aimed to develop a culturally sensitive psychosocial support programme for orphans and vulnerable children in the Vhembe district of South Africa. Methods In this study, a multiphase mixed‐methods strategy was employed. Four interconnected phases were involved in the current study. An in‐depth semi‐structured interview was used to collect data from orphans and vulnerable children and social workers through an interview guide with open‐ended questions. Focus group discussions were used to collect data from community‐based workers. Data were analysed using a deductive thematic analysis with the existing theoretical frameworks to understand the empirical material. The PRECEDE–PROCEED model provided a starting point in the ultimate development of a culturally psychosocial support programme. The first five phases were selected for the PRECEDE phase of the model (phases that lead up to a developed culturally sensitive psychosocial support programme). Results The study revealed that OVC faces many challenges and the need for a cultural sensitive psychosocial support programme for orphans and vulnerable children. Conclusion The developed culturally sensitive psychosocial support programme has the potential to significantly improve the psychosocial well‐being of orphans and vulnerable children in the Vhembe district. By promoting holistic child development, the programme can make a substantial difference in the lives of these children.