Orphans and Vulnerable Children - CRIN

Enhancing Self-Awareness in Caregivers

In this activity, you will:

 Get the group to practise some self-awareness exercises

Facilitator’s notes:

Start by mentioning to the group that everyone needs some support and that caregivers who work
with orphans and vulnerable children may go through difficult times as they channel their energy
towards the children. They need to be helped to introspect and to determine what their own needs
are; and to identify their challenges, their strengths and their weaknesses. To do this, caregivers need
to go through a process of self-evaluation to find their strengths and inner resources.

Questionnaires can help caregivers understand who they are as individuals - what their strengths,
skills, qualities and abilities are. Home visitors can come up with a list of questions to help
caregivers reflect on their own lives. These questions may include:
 What do you enjoy the most about giving care?
 What are the main challenges you face as a caregiver?
 What do you enjoy doing during your spare time?
 How often do you take time off from your caregiving duties to pursue other interests?
 Do you have anyone to share feelings, thoughts and problems with?

In order to support caregivers in their demanding tasks, home visitors can also help them
by making sure that they are able to:
 Relax and have time to do the things they enjoy (for example, a hobby such as sewing)
 Make sure they are eating properly and getting enough rest
 Share their experiences and problems with someone
 Get support with household chores, shopping and planting, etc.
 Get spiritual support when they need it
 Spend time with friends and people they like.

For this activity you will need:

 Flipchart and markers

 Copies of Handout 1

To facilitate this activity:

1 Introduce this activity by telling the group that everyone needs support and time away from their
daily routines when they can reflect on their own lives and regain their strength. Caregivers are
no exception. Home visitors will also need to offer support to the caregivers in their community.
One way they can do this is by making sure that caregivers are looking after themselves and getting
adequate time to do this.

2 Give out Handout 1 to participants. Go through the lists on the handout and get participants to fill
in any extra points they would like to add. Get participants to share their ideas with the group.
You may want to write any new ideas up on the flipchart.

Activity 1

30 minutes

Guide to Mobilising and Strengthening Community-Led Care for Orphans and Vulnerable Children Unit 2, Module 2^209