Psychosocial Support Program
At Umoja, we believe that caring for vulnerable children goes beyond meeting their basic needs. Emotional and psychological well-being is just as crucial, especially for orphaned and vulnerable children who often face overwhelming challenges. That's why our Psychosocial Support Program was created – to ensure that these children receive the emotional support, counselling, and guidance they need to overcome grief, trauma, and difficult circumstances.
Why Psychosocial Support?
The majority of the children under Umoja's care have experienced significant loss, often losing one or both parents at a young age. These losses can have lasting emotional impacts if left unaddressed. Our program helps children understand and navigate the grief process, providing them with a safe space to express their feelings and heal. We also ensure that they are not taken advantage of, as many vulnerable children, especially those from child-headed households, can be easily exploited without proper guidance and protection.
Beyond counseling, this program provides general emotional support to help children from difficult backgrounds stay positive and hopeful. Coming from vulnerable situations often means facing numerous obstacles, and Umoja ensures that these children don't lose hope in life. Our field workers, counselors, and teachers provide the encouragement they need to continue with determination in both their education and their personal lives.
How We Make It Work
Our Psychosocial Support Program is deeply rooted in our strong network of partnerships with the 21 primary schools we serve. Each school has a link teacher, a key partner who helps us identify children who are struggling emotionally, either due to issues at home or school. These teachers, who are trained to spot signs of distress, work closely with our field workers to pinpoint students who need extra care.
Once a child in need is identified, our team conducts home visits to better understand their living situation and assess the areas where we can offer support. These visits are essential, especially for children in child-headed households, where Umoja often takes on the role of a parent. We check in regularly to ensure that they are coping, both emotionally and practically, offering them guidance, care, and a reliable support system.
Our Program Activities
Our Psychosocial Support Program is closely connected with all our other initiatives, helping to create a holistic support system for the children in our care. Whether it's through counselling, mentorship, or direct intervention, we work to ensure that no child feels alone in their struggles. In addition to counseling, we organize regular activities that foster a sense of belonging and community among the children.
These activities include sports events, drama competitions, art contests, and other engaging programs that allow the children to express themselves, develop their talents, and connect with their peers. One of the highlights of the year is our Annual Psychosocial Event, held each December. This event is a major gathering that brings together the entire community to celebrate the children and their progress. It provides a platform for the children to showcase their talents and abilities, from art and drama to sports and other creative expressions. The event attracts thousands of attendees, all eager to take part in supporting the well-being of these children and witnessing their growth.
A Lasting Impact
Umoja's Psychosocial Support Program is about more than just providing counselling. It's about creating a caring, supportive environment where children feel valued and heard. By ensuring that these children receive both emotional and practical support, we help them navigate the difficulties of life with strength and hope. Through our home visits, mentorship, and community events, we stand by these children every step of the way, reminding them that they are never alone in their journey.