The FOST program is based on the belief that orphaned children have the best opportunity for development within a family. Under normal circumstances, orphans in Africa are absorbed by their extended family. Today conditions are changing, largely because of the effects of the AIDS pandemic, and the family structure is being disrupted.  FOST believes orphaned farm children are helped best by building on the strengths within the community, encouraging them to identify children and families in need, and working with the community to create solutions.  In this way, children can remain with their siblings in an environment that is familiar and have the opportunity to learn about their culture first hand.

In 2004, FOST identified an average of 25 orphaned children per commercial farm in Zimbabwe.  At that time FOST had already implemented successful programs with older orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) on commercial farms in Zimbabwe.  During our visit to Zimbabwe in 2004, FOST approached House of Stone with an interest in developing psychosocial support programs for preschool-age OVC on these farms.

In 2005, House Of Stone provided funding for FOST to conduct a needs assessment, identify and recruit farms for program participation and begin preschool leader training.  FOST successfully completed this phase and received additional House Of Stone funding in 2006 to begin implementation of programs for preschool age orphans and vulnerable children on two large commercial farms.