International Journal of Humanities and Social Science Vol. 2 No. 12 [Special Issue - June 2012] 59 Preserving the Future: Social Protection Programmes For Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) in Zimbabwe Tawanda Masuka Department of Social Sciences Bindura University of Science Education P Bag 1020, Bindura Zimbabwe Richard Gamuchirai Banda Department of Social Sciences Bindura University of Science Education P Bag 1020, Bindura Zimbabwe Vincent Mabvurira Department of Social Sciences Bindura University of Science Education P Bag 1020, Bindura Zimbabwe Rangarirai Frank Department of Social Sciences Bindura University of Science Education P Bag 1020, Bindura Zimbabwe Abstract This article focuses on the social protection programmes that have been put in place in Zimbabwe to assist orphaned and vulnerable children. The programmes inter-a-lia includes BEAM, adoption, institutionalisation, Free Treatment Orders, and the National Plan of Action for Orphans and Vulnerable Children. It is argued that though the programmes are commendable, they have gaps which need to be addressed. This will result in many orphans and vulnerable children lead a near normal life. The article is concluded by making some recommendations which might make the social protection programmes more responsive to the needs of orphaned and vulnerable children. Keywords: Programmes, Social protection, Orphans and vulnerable children. 1. Introduction Traditionally children have been viewed as central to society, hence, their protection has been rendered an issue of particular concern to the whole community (Mushunje, 2006). There are over one million orphans in Zimbabwe and only 527,000 of these currently have access to external support (National AIDS Council (NAC), 2011).In Zimbabwe, much attention and concern over the issue of child welfare has been generated since Independence in 1980 (Mupedziswa, 2006). Due to urbanisation traditional community structures for child protection have been decimated resulting in social problems such as the street children phenomenon. Traditional family and community mechanisms to support orphans have been under considerable financial strain resulting in more children facing difficulties accessing health care, education and other basic amenities (NAC, 2011). The state has now taken a centre stage in the issues of child protection replacing the traditional child protection systems such as the family and the community .State intervention has been in the form of public assistance, food hand outs and school fees.