There is an increased level of awareness and community response towards reducing child abuse in the area, however, there is still need to enhance Child Participation not just to reduce child abuse, but to build children’s confidence and leadership so that they become actively involved in every aspect of life that is likely to affect them both in the short and long-term. Presently the cultural norm is for adults to take all or most decisions and responsibilities for children. With the poverty gap increasing and families stressed with the increasing number of orphaned children and socio-economic problems associated with HIV/AIDS, children need to be equipped with the necessary life-skills to cope with increasing responsibilities and more active engagement in their own personal, physical, social, emotional, moral and intellectual development. With regard to Orphaned and Vulnerable Children (OVCs), they are often viewed as victims, and by extension dependants. This undermines their achievements in terms of the work, care and support of their families they accomplish, and the huge effort they make in terms of social adaptation. Children should not be regarded as “victims in need of help” but human beings with equal rights and specific interests, needs and initiatives. There is a real need to create opportunities to highlight and celebrate the achievements of children, reaffirming their ability to cope with difficult circumstances and helping them develop a sense of pride and self esteem.