Assessing the Psychosocial Benefits of a Community-based Home Visitation Program for Orphans and Vulnerable Children in Rwanda
The Population Council and its partners developed and evaluated a community mentorship program to improve the psychosocial well-being of youth-headed households in Rwanda.
Traditionally, programs for orphans and vulnerable children have focused on providing material assistance, such as school fees, food, and health care. But program managers increasingly are recognizing the importance of social and psychological services as well.
In response, the Rwanda School of Public Health, Tulane University, World Vision, and Horizons collaborated on an intervention study to better meet the needs of youth-headed households, many of whom have been affected by HIV and AIDS.
The researchers began the study by conducting focus groups with youth and adults in late 2003 and early 2004. In March 2004, they administered a baseline survey to youth heads of households who were program beneficiaries. The follow-up survey was repeated in 2006 to assess the impact of the mentorship program on their psychosocial well-being.
Key findings about youth heads of households include:
- Youth heads of households who participated in the mentorship program perceived a significant increase in adult support.
- Intervention participants reported a significant decrease in feelings of marginalization.
- Youth who did not participate in the intervention reported a significant increase in feelings of grief.
- Youth who participated in the intervention reported a significant decrease in maltreatment.
- Intervention participants reported a significant decrease in depressive symptoms.
- A higher frequency of mentor visits was associated with more positive perceptions of the mentor–youth relationship.
- Other children living in the households were minimally impacted by the mentorship program.
Key findings from program implementation:
- Making a connection between mentors and youth may take time but can be very powerful.
- Youth selection of mentors helps foster high-quality relationships.
- Some mentors will take independent action to address the needs of households.
- Ongoing motivation and capacity-building efforts are needed to empower mentors.
- Mechanisms for ensuring child and youth protection are essential.
- Negative reactions to the program need to be anticipated and countered.
Community interventions providing care and support to orphans and vulnerable children: A review of evaluation evidence (abstract)
Schenk,Katie D.
AIDS Care 21(7): 918-942
Publication date: 2009
Barriers to the community support of orphans and vulnerable youth in Rwanda (abstract)
Thurman,Tonya R.; Snider,Leslie M.; Boris,Neil W.; Kalisa,Edward; Nyirazinyoye,Laetitia N.; Brown,Lisanne
Social Science and Medicine 66(7): 1557-1567
Publication date: 2008
Depressive symptoms in youth heads of household in Rwanda (abstract) (PDF)
Boris,Neil W.; Brown,Lisanne; Thurman,Tonya R.; Rice,Janet C.; Snider,Leslie M.; Ntaganira,Joseph; Nyirazinyoye,Laetitia N.
Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine 162(9): 836-843
Publication date: 2008
Assessing the psychosocial benefits of a community-based mentoring program for youth-headed households in Rwanda (PDF)
Presented to The Orphans and Vulnerable Children Task Force, Washington DC, 12 December
Thurman,Tonya R.
Publication date: 2007
Infants and young children living in youth-headed households in Rwanda: Implications of emerging data (abstract)
Boris,Neil W.; Thurman,Tonya R.; Snider,Leslie M.; Spencer,Erin; Brown,Lisanne
Infant Mental Health Journal 27(6): 584-602
Publication date: 2007
Psychosocial benefits of a mentoring program for youth-headed households in Rwanda (PDF)
Brown,Lisanne; Rice,Janet C.; Boris,Neil W.; Thurman,Tonya R.; Snider,Leslie M.; Ntaganira,Joseph; Nyirazinyoye,Laetitia N.; Kalisa,Edward; Nshizirungu,Emmanuel
Horizons Research Summary
Publication date: 2007
Supporting volunteer mentors: Insights from a mentorship program for youth-headed households in Rwanda (PDF)
Brown,Lisanne; Thurman,Tonya R.; Kalisa,Edward; Rice,Janet C.; de Dieu Bizimana,Jean; Boris,Neil W.; Snider,Leslie M.; Ntaganira,Joseph
Horizons Research Summary
Publication date: 2007
Psychosocial support and marginalization of youth-headed households in Rwanda (abstract)
Thurman,Tonya R.; Snider,Leslie M.; Boris,Neil W.; Kalisa,Edward; Mugarira,Eleazer Nkunda; Ntaganira,Joseph; Brown,Lisanne
AIDS Care 18(3): 220-229
Publication date: 2006
Project Stats
Location: Rwanda
Program(s):
HIV and AIDS
Topic(s):
Orphans and vulnerable children
Duration: 9/2003 - 7/2007
Population Council researchers:
Katie Schenk
Non-Council collaborators:
Ashley Inselman (World Vision US)
Edward Kalisa (World Vision Rwanda)
Eleazer Nkunda (World Vision Rwanda)
Jean de Dieu Bizimana (Rwanda School of Public Health)
Joseph Ntaganira (Rwanda School of Public Health)
Kofi Hagan (World Vision Rwanda)
Laetitia Nyirazinyoye (Rwanda School of Public Health)
Leslie Snider (Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine)
Lisanne Brown (Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine)
Neil Boris (Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine)
Tonya R. Thurman (Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine)
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