Voices from the communities : the impact of HIV/AIDS on the lives of orphaned children and their guardians

Voices from the Communities is a follow-up qualitative study by Family Health International (FHI) and Strengthening Community Partnerships for the Empowerment of Orphans and Vulnerable Children (SCOPE-OVC) to a 2001 quantitative survey. The quantitative study sought to determine the psychosocial and emotional needs of orphans and vulnerable children in sixteen communities in four districts of Zambia: Livingstone, Lusaka, Mongu and Kitwe. Voices extends the original research by ascertaining the psychosocial and emotional needs of OVC in greater detail. In Voices, 10 focus group discussions were held during 2002 in two townships; Itimpi in Kitwe and Chawama in Lusaka. The study sample of one hundred and eighty one discussants consisted of orphaned children, child heads of household and adult heads of household