A Heritage of Care and Support Innovations in High-Risk School Communities in Southern Africa

• In Event: Southern African Perspectives on Indigenous Pathways to Care and Support in High-Risk School Communities

Abstract

In this paper we present from an indigenous knowledge system a heritage of support for children in high risk school communities in Southern Africa. In resource constrained communities, care and support is considered as a community initiative to enhance communal involvement in improving family and community sustainability, creating employment and developing connectedness. Children are cared for and supported by building on family strengths and community resources are mobilised to promote family well-being. The strength of the family equates support in terms of education. Schools being part of the community are considered and the resources of the community are shared with the school. Thus, caring for children is core to family health within a systemic approach.

We further report on various innovative care and support strategies from these high risk communities including their mind-set of livelihood, smart partnerships, bartering, investing labour and time and various strategies of conditional support. It is evident that high risk communities are committed to promoting survival of children and school to enhanced healthy development of families and children.

Author

• Motlalepule Ruth Mampane, University of Pretoria