Orphans and Vulnerable Children - CRIN

For this activity you will need:

 Flipchart and markers

 Copies of Handout 1

To facilitate this activity:

1 Explain to the participants that there are certain health precautions that we, as adults, can take

to reduce the risk of illness. For example, practising good hygiene helps to stop the spread of

germs that lead to disease. However, children may be unable to take these precautions

themselves, so they may get ill unless their healthcare needs are monitored by caregivers.

2 Ask participants to list the general healthcare needs of

children. Then ask them what the most urgent healthcare

needs in their community are. Next, ask them to describe

the healthcare needs that are particularly urgent fo

vulnerable children, who may not have adequate care and

access to treatment. Add to participants’ ideas by using

your facilitator’s notes.

3 Distribute Handout 1 and review each item with the group.

Ask them if they understand why these practices are

necessary. It is possible, for example, that they don’t know

about the transmission of germs due to poor hygiene

practices. (Hygiene is discussed further in more detail in

later activities.) Explain to the participants that they will be

sharing this health and hygiene information during home

visits and helping to ensure the health of those households

that they visit.

45 minutes

Regular health check-ups for children:

Regular check-ups done by a healthcare worker

help to monitor the growth and development

of children; and ensure that any infections are

treated. For infants and young children up

to five years old, check-ups will also involve

immunisations against serious illnesses.

(This is dealt with further in Activity 2.)

Children should also be weighed regularly and

this recorded on a clinic card. If a child is not

gaining weight adequately, then they should

be fed more regulary. If a child loses weight,

he or she should be taken to a clinic as

malnutrition may be indicated.

(^240) Unit 2, Module 3 Guide to Mobilising and Strengthening Community-Led Care for Orphans and Vulnerable Children