Tele-Health Service
SAYWHAT began programming with social workers and psychologists to ensure every child is free from harm regardless of gender, race, disability, health, geography, nationality or any other forms of discrimination in 2017. To support this child protection function, SAYWHAT established its first tele-health service with the toll-free 577 in Zimbabwe in 2020.
The SAYWHAT Call Center operates 24/7 and primarily focuses on providing a safe space for young people to access accurate information, counselling and support in relation to:
- Gender-based violence
- Reproductive health and rights
- Drug and substance abuse
- Mental health and wellbeing
- Communicable and non-communicable diseases
- Climate Change, disaster and emergency preparedness
The toll-free helpline 577, provides a confidential pathway nationwide to report any violence or abuse against young people at no cost. The Call Centre team partners with the Zimbabwe’s Department of Social Development, the Zimbabwe Republic Police Victim Friendly Unit and over 50 Clinical and non-clinical service providers.
Children and young people are assisted with accurate information, service referrals, care plans, case resolutions and in accordance with the national case management system, and home psychosocial assessments. Interventions are mostly person centered but with a family centred approach where necessary to ensure the availability of a support system.
The SAYWHAT Call Centre team implements preventative approaches in the form of in-school awareness and campaigns. The aim is to provide accurate information to learners on their reproductive health rights, how, when, and where to report sexual exploitation or abuse. SAYWHAT also builds capacity of community care workers, guidance and counselling teachers and village health workers to be at the front line to improve response to child safeguarding issues.
