Say and Play

Say and Play Janine Schooley, MPH Senior Vice President of Programs Project Concern International

Background
About 1.2m Zambian children experienced death of at least one parent due to HIV epidemic
Greater risk of abuse due to vulnerability
Psychosocial support (PSS) often not available until primary school
Psychosocial damage may be extensive
Adverse effects well into adulthood
USAID and PCI identified that most orphan and vulnerable children (OVC) programs focus on older OVC

Development Process
Rapid assessment in May 2008
Looked at services available for young children, particularly OVC under-7 years old
Health, nutrition and child protection are being provided
Psychosocial support largely overlooked for young children

Development Process
Formative Assessment in September 2008
Informed the design and implementation strategies of appropriate PSS for OVC under-7 in Zambia
Conducted 3 focus group discussions with 15 early childhood development (ECD) teachers and home-based care (HBC) caregivers to identify relevant topics
Held 2 brainstorming discussion forums local implementing partners to critically review suggested formats
Results of Formative Assessment
ECD teachers and HBC caregivers are ideal persons to provide PSS services for young children
Difficult topics include child sexual abuse and death
Need for a straightforward, interactive tool that engages children and adults
Questions for adults should have an aspect of community mobilization

Development Process
Pilot tested initial drafts
Mongu: 7 ECD Teachers
Lusaka: 7 HBC Caregivers
Chongwe: 7 community members from Neighborhood Watch Committees, Women’s Groups and Parent Community School Committees (PCSC)
Over 100 children and adults participated
Results of pilot tests
Ensured questions, stories, games and pictures are culturally and age appropriate
Refined community mobilization aspect of questions for adults
Found that adults listened to young children
Activities are even enjoyed by older children

Development Process
Technical reviews with local and international child experts
Ensured the content is appropriate for young children and supports their psychosocial needs
Constantly worked hand-in-hand with ECD teachers, HBC caregivers, PCSC members and community action groups to create a user-friendly tool

Key Persons
Dr. Jonathan Brakarsh: author of the Journey of Life series by REPSSI, and a child psychologist living and working in Zimbabwe
Artists
Derrick Nasando: Picture codes, based in Lusaka, Zambia
Mashet Ndhlovu: Poster pictures, based in Harare, Zimbabwe
Margo Bedingfield: Graphic Designer in France
Dapeg Pvt Ltd: Printer in Lusaka, Zambia

Say and Play
Includes:
Pictures- questions for children and adults about important issues in the lives of children under-7
Stories- from adults who care for children and from children themselves about specific situations that need attention
Games- encourage children to participate and to express their views on issues relevant to their lives
Information cards- provide knowledge and skills for adults who take care of young children
Poster and playing cards- help children and adults identify how children should be cared for and take action to improve children’s lives

Say and Play
Topics
What do children need to grow?
Helping young children with their problems
Children on their own
When the caregiver is sick
Talking to children about death
Our hopes
Caring for young children
Information cards for adults
The holistic care checklist (Topic 1)
Child sexual abuse (Topic 2)
How to talk to children about death (Topic 5)
Parenting (Topic 7)

Say and Play
Full Say and Play package:
The Say and Play manual which includes information cards, games, pictures and stories
6 colorful A3 size pictures
1 A2 size poster
A set of 11 playing cards
1 carrying bag

Next Steps
Training of facilitators
When: April 27-28, 2010
Where: PCI Office in Kabulonga
Who: Project officers in Lusaka
Why: Train project officers to conduct a Say and Play training for their partners
Dissemination through various networks
CORE Group meeting at the end of April
OVC-related listservs

Accessing Say and Play
Order
Dapeg Pvt Ltd in Kabulonga
Each copy costs $25.47
Phone: 264333 or 0966750463
Email: dapeg@zamnet.zm
Website: www.ProjectConcern.org/SayAndPlay
Provides background information on Say and Play
Download the manual
Manual contains all the pictures, stories, games, questions and information cards
Training guidelines
Especially for countries where PCI is not present
Contact PCI
Amy Tiwari: amy@pcizambia.org.zm

Thank you!

Say and Play

by jehill3 on May 03, 2010

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Say and Play — Presentation Transcript