Zunde Ramambo as a Resilience-Building Mechanism for OVC in Zimbabwe
摘要
In Zimbabwe, orphaned and vulnerable children (OVC) face numerous challenges, including poverty, lack of access to education and healthcare, and social isolation. Traditional coping mechanisms, such as Zunde Ramambo, have been instrumental in supporting OVC and promoting community resilience. This chapter explores Zunde Ramambo as a resilience-building mechanism for OVC in Zimbabwe, using a qualitative desktop research methodology and critical discourse analysis. This chapter examines the cultural significance of Zunde Ramambo, a traditional practice where community members come together to support vulnerable households, particularly those caring for OVC. Through a critical analysis of existing literature, this chapter highlights the ways in which Zunde Ramambo promotes community solidarity, social cohesion, and collective responsibility for the care of OVCs. The findings of this chapter suggest that Zunde Ramambo is a vital resilience-building mechanism for OVC in Zimbabwe, providing them with access to food, education, and emotional support. This chapter recommends that policymakers, practitioners, and researchers prioritise the documentation and scaling up of traditional coping mechanisms, such as Zunde Ramambo, while also addressing the structural drivers of vulnerability and poverty among OVC. This chapter's main finding is that Zunde Ramambo is a culturally relevant and effective way of promoting resilience among OVC in Zimbabwe. This chapter recommends that policymakers and practitioners support and strengthen traditional coping mechanisms, such as Zunde Ramambo, while also investing in formal social protection programs to address the complex needs of OVCS.