In most African countries, risk situations for children have dramatically increased over the past two decades. The understanding of what constitutes categories of at risk children had undergone a radical transformation after the AIDS crises and dislocation. The risks that the children face have swelled as they require protection from abuse, neglect & displacement, poverty and crime related activities.

Botswana, with a population of 1.9 million people has achieved some economic strides in the different aspects of life of its citizens. However, it is becoming evident that HIV/AIDS and poverty are reversing the hard won socio- economic gains made by the country over the years. With the age group of 25-34 hard hit, this suggests that more children will be orphaned if efforts for halting the spread are not intensified. Traditionally these children were easily assimilated to our extended families, but the changing societal trends, weakened and deteriorating kinship ties resulted in lack of capacity and support within families and communities to care for vulnerable children. In most cases these children do not have adequate nurturing through the home/family environment. Though their life skills are not sufficiently developed, they assume new roles of being caregivers to younger siblings, parents or grand parents with limited resource base. These responsibilities deprive them of opportunities to improve their own situation as they are also vulnerable. They are prone to all sorts of abuse and some resort to risky behaviours to survive. The children experience psychological trauma through multiple orphanhood in the process.

This escalating number of orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) threatens the survival, upbringing, care, education, general protection and wellbeing of these children. To complement government efforts and strengthen community initiatives in caring for this exploding numbers of this children, Masiela (Orphans) Trust Fund was established and subsequently launched in 2001. In mitigating HIV/AIDS effects, a multisectoral approach has been adopted with partnerships forged from all sectors of the society; government, private sector, Non- Governmental Organisations (NGOs). This is aimed at providing services and programmes that provide physical, educational, psychosocial and spiritual needs of these children. The inclusive and integrated programmes address the socio- economic challenges among the children, their care givers and members of the society to reduce vulnerability and create a non- threatening environment.