Orphans and Vulnerable Children - CRIN

The Importance of Education for OVC

In this activity, you will:

 Discuss the importance of schooling and education for OVC

Facilitator’s notes:

For this activity you will need:

 Flipchart and markers

To facilitate this activity:

1 Introduce the topic by asking participants what kind of education
vulnerable children need. Ask participants the following questions:

• Do you believe that it is important for OVC to go to school? If so, why?


• Does it depend upon whether the child is a girl or boy?


• What other types of education might be beneficial for these children?
  Allow participants to express their views
  freely on the education of orphans and
  vulnerable children and encourage a lively
  discussion.
  List the points raised in discussion on the
  flipchart, adding any from your facilitator’s
  notes, if necessary.

2 End the session by suggesting that it is
important for allchildren, including
orphans and vulnerable children, both
boys and girls, to go to school.

Activity 1

Reasons why it is important for OVC to receive an education:

• It prepares them to support themselves in the future


• It gives them the opportunity to form friendships and promotes social integration


• It gives them an opportunity to work with adults who care about them and wish to
  prepare them for their future


• It prevents isolation and marginalisation, and boosts self-esteem and sense of purpose


• It is good for their mental and psychological health and development


• It provides them with positive, meaningful activities


• It gives them the opportunity to learn life skills and gain information


• It helps prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS through information and awareness


• For girls, it helps prevent early pregnancies and marriages, and sexual exploitation and
  abuse, through both girls and boys learning to respect and understand one another.

40 minutes

Guide to Mobilising and Strengthening Community-Led Care for Orphans and Vulnerable Children Unit 2, Module 4^255