Minister Zulu officially launched Risiha, a community based prevention and early intervention programme for orphans and vulnerable children
The programme is supported by the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF)
In order to enhance efforts of protecting orphaned and vulnerable children, the Minister of Social Development, Ms Lindiwe Zulu and the MEC of Social Development in Mpumalanga, Ms Lindiwe Ntshalintshali launched the Risiha.
Risiha is a community-based prevention and early intervention programme and was launched officially on Friday, September 10 at Siyanakelela Drop-in Centre. Risiha is a Xitsonga word for ‘resilience.’
The Risiha programme is a community-based child protection programme aimed at protecting orphans and vulnerable children, some of whom are living in child and youth headed households, chronic health conditions as well as those living and working on the streets.
When initially conceptualised, the programme was targeted at providing care and support services for children affected by HIV and AIDS as many were left without parents/primary caregivers.
The minister together with her delegation also did home visits to two of the beneficiary families, the Nhlapho and the Kolobe families.
With the rise in the number of vulnerable children, its scope has since been extended to include all children in need of care and protection in terms of Section 150 (1) of the Children’s Act (Act No. 38 of 2005).
The programme seeks to strengthen families and communities as the first line of response in the child protection system, with particular focus on children living in disadvantaged communities.
The programme is implemented through the deployment of Child and Youth Care Workers, a cohort of social service professionals who renders direct, day-to-day prevention, early intervention and care and support services within the life spaces of children.
The official launch of the programme in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, which has heightened the vulnerabilities of children, will further strengthen South Africa’s child protection system.
In the recent past, the Emalahleni area has experienced reported cases of violent crimes against children, including the gruesome killing of Gabisile Shabane, a girl with albinism for muti purposes and a mother who poisoned her four children.
The launch of Risiha in the area seeks to address this and to strengthen community-based interventions to protect orphans and vulnerable children.
The programme is supported by the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) which promotes the rights and well-being of every child and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
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