This report describes the psychosocial interventions of AVSI [an international nongovernmental organization (INGO) operating in Uganda since 1984] in Kitgum District of northern Uganda. These interventions are part of the educational programmes aimed at supporting vulnerable youth through vocational training Apart from the educational support, the beneficiaries of the programme are also offered psychosocial support.

There is increasing attention given to participatory projects with marginalized children and young people, in the absence of child protection. In Nepal, a process was developed to provide a framework for more systematic participation of children in psychosocial programming, geared towards facilitating the reintegration for former child soldiers.

This paper reflects on some of the moral dilemmas inherent in the provision of counselling for Iraqi refugees by highlighting the day-to-day experiences of psychosocial counsellors employed by an international nongovernmental organization (INGO) in Jordan. It is argued that the lack of clarity in role, short term recruitment policies, confused demands on INGOs and the complexity of the political situation of Iraqis in Jordan contribute to profound, and often insoluble, moral dilemmas for local staff charged with providing front line counselling services.

This article focuses on the resilience of children facing extreme hardship and adversity. It is based on participatory research with children living in child headed households in Rwanda. It emphasizes the importance of listening to children’s voices and recognizing their capacities when designing interventions to strengthen their psychosocial wellbeing. This studyshows that children have developed innovative and profitable coping strategies and some have even developed the capacity to thrive through their situation of extreme hardship.