KHULISA COVID-19 FAMILY SUPPORT PROGRAMME

1. Background 

The national Corona virus lockdown regulations inevitably has had an enormous impact on the  lives of all individuals and families in South Africa, Africa, and countries across the world, where lockdown regulations have been imposed. The reality is that the lockdown restrictions  disrupts our work and family life, peoples’ mind-sets, behaviours and interpersonal  relationships. 

The first stage of the project comprises of an exploratory study to ascertain the effect of the  lockdown on members of communities who are traditionally socially excluded, vulnerable and/or considered to be ‘at risk’ of victimisation such as, inter-alia; women, persons with  disabilities, members of the LGBTIQ communities, ex-offenders, substance abusers, and  persons with albinism; who are now forced to stay indoors with family members, where  peaceful co-habitation has never been the norm. Given that such family systems typically  experience marginalisation, abuse and sometimes violence, it is expected that the lockdown  restrictions will further contribute to and exacerbate the levels of disengagement, conflict,  fear, anxiety and dysfunctionality experienced during the following weeks, and beyond.  

Considering these and other challenges around COVID-19, Khulisa Social Solution, in  partnership with funding partners and other relevant stakeholders, aims to develop and  implement a strategy, initiative or programme to offer support and assistance to those who  are currently experiencing challenges coping, psychologically and socially and during the  lockdown and beyond. 

2. Aim 

Assist in building and maintaining peace in the family during periods of enforced social  distancing and quarantine and beyond, by establishing a virtual support network that will  assist family members of ‘at risk’, marginalised and excluded individuals, groups and  communities across South Africa to cope with the social impact of physical isolation during  period of the national Corona virus lockdown, and the ensuing period.

© 2020 KHULISA SOCIAL SOLUTIONS 2 

3. Objectives 

3.1 Conduct exploratory research on the challenges and difficulties experienced by members  of the community regarded as being at ‘risk of victimisation’ as a result of the COVID 19  lockdown. 

3.2 Explore the need for a virtual support network that aims to facilitate collaboration among  people within the same geographical areas, nationally across geographical areas as well as  with and among global communities. 

3.3 Use data from the exploratory research study to understand the ‘lived reality’ of ‘at risk’  individuals and marginalised members of the community during the COVID 19 lockdown. 3.4 Use data from the research to develop and implement a COVID 19 and Beyond Support  Programme for individuals and families in need of support and care. 

3.5 Monitor and evaluate the programme to inform best practice, future strategies and  interventions 

3.6 Disseminate findings with government and non-government entities; including the  business sector, religious organisations, community-based organisations inter-alia 

4. THE PROPOSED PROJECT: The Khulisa Covid-19 & Beyond Family Peace-Making Support  Programme (COVID 19 – FPSP) 

PHASE 1: 

1.1 Identify Khulisa social workers and auxiliaries, other Khulisa partner representative from  marginalised groups who have counselling experience in our key areas of operation. 1.2 The above-mentioned parties will receive an information pack (programme description,  questionnaire guideline, questionnaire, report template). 

1.3 Interviewers will be assigned to psycho-social mentors / coaches who will provide them  with guidance, where necessary in how to deal with situations outside their sphere of  experience. Under specific circumstances direct engagement with the family members and  the mentors may be arranged. 

1.4 Interviews will be conducted telephonically via WhatsApp or any alternative format. 1.5 Recorded information will be analysed in order to identify key challenges, opportunities for  further interventions / training requirements. 

PHASE 2: 

2.1 Data from the exploratory research as well as recorded secondary data from similar  interventions and relevant literature will inform the proposed intervention. 

2.2 Suitably screened and trained social workers/counsellors will be provided with online  ‘family peace-making’ training. Training via Zoom, Skype or WhatsApp will be provided  either collectively or in groups on the key methodologies that they will need to apply when  engaging with clients. 

2.3 Contact with the clients will be ongoing with support being given in response to needs as  to how peace-making approaches could be introduced to deal with family conflict

© 2020 KHULISA SOCIAL SOLUTIONS 3 

2.4 Members of the virtual support network will use real-life digital storytelling and will be  requested to submit reports in accordance with the template provided in a narrative  format. 

2.5 Narrative records of all such engagements will be submitted to Khulisa on an ongoing basis. 2.6 Ongoing psycho-social support. 

2.7 Field researchers will be paid an hourly fee/or fee per report submitted, plus money for  data. 

2.8 All field researchers will complete an application form and will be fully appraised of: ▪ Issues pertaining to confidentiality 

▪ Provided with a list of support services where further help could be enlisted,  e.g. food supplies, medical, etc. 

 PHASE 3: Report  

3.1 A post-assessment of the COVID 19 – FPSP will be conducted. 

3.2 The narratives will be analysed and the findings disseminated on a regular basis, with other  such groups via digital media. 

3.3 Through the ongoing collection of the data we believe that we will be able to co-create  new ideas and methods of thinking around the capacitation among not only our  communities, but also communities worldwide