Pathways to Resilience IV: Global South Perspectives

Building Resilience in Children from a Community Perspective

Abstract #289
Title: Pikin to Pikin Tok: A case for building resilience through participation
Presenter: Patricia Young (Child to Child, UK)
Introduction: Pikin to Pikin Tok emerged in response to the Ebola outbreak in Sierra Leone, which created specific vulnerabilities for women and children. Child survivors experienced the trauma of loss of family members, disruption in schooling and regular life, and in many instances were ostracised from their communities.
Methods: Child to Child and their local partner, Pikin to Pikin Movement, adapted an ongoing early learning programme to create “Pikin to Pikin Tok,”, a radio for education programme designed to: enable children to address the issues concerning them; support their peers; and build resilience at the individual and community level. Children trained as Young Journalists co-created audio content on the issues affecting them. Children listened to the broadcasts as members of ‘Facilitated Listening Groups’ with support from trained adult volunteers, who encouraged them to call in to post-broadcast discussions to share their experiences and perspectives.
Findings: Facilitating children’s meaningful participation helped develop a sense of agency and awareness that they could be active partners for positive change, contributing to the identification and development of coping mechanisms for themselves and their families.

Abstract #290
Title: South Africa’s response to enabling children’s resilience through expanding community-based services
Presenter: Roseline September (GCBS Vulnerable Children, South Africa)
Introduction: One of the Department of Social Development (DSD) priorities under the South African National Development Plan (NDP) is the expansion of child and youth care services within the context of government’s objective to eliminate poverty, inequality and unemployment. Underpinning this is a focus on investments in children across the continuum of care. The current DSD community-based child care programme (Isibindi) reaches 1.2 million vulnerable children. However, DSD recognises the limitations and gaps in social services to vulnerable children. DSD has initiated a process to review and expand community-based children’s services. Underpinning the process is a focus on resilience.
Methods: Stakeholders were engaged in a systematic process aimed at producing a theory of change and a concomitant basket of services. This included a review of the relevant resilience literature and evidence-based programs followed by a reflective methodology to compare the empirical evidence with the experience of service professionals.
Findings: The results provided an evidence-base for the development of a turnaround strategy for vulnerable children. They also offer a framework for how community-based organisations can support resilience processes. DSD is exploring an investment case to mobilize financial mechanisms to support resilience outcomes and a core package of associated services.

Abstract #89
Title: Assessing the Quality of Life of children who attend in community based programs for mental health improvement at Wolverhampton area.
Presenter: Efthalia Karaktsani (University of Wolverhampton, UK)
Introduction: Headstart  program has been designed to support young people in developing their resilience, in raising their awareness of their own mental health and that of their peers, and in preventing the development of lifelong mental health issues. In this study the potential relationship between self-efficacy and QoL has been investigated.
Methods: A selection of schools namely Parkfield primary, Bilston CofE, Springdale Juniors, Saint Stephens and Heath Park were chosen to contribute to the piloting of the self -efficacy (SEQ) and they also complete prior and six months after the implementation of the program online a standardised QoL measure Kiddy-KINDL
Findings: Children who were classified as high SEQ were significantly more likely than the low SEQ to report better physical, family, social well-being and self-esteem. In terms of group comparisons, males reported greater physical well-being than their female counterparts and conversely females reported greater emotional well-being.