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Kenya Orphans and Vulnerable Children Support
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What is the need?
By 2005, 1.5 million orphans (defined as having lost one or both parents) in Kenya will need to be cared for. Caregivers are needed to provide education, healthcare and basic living needs for these children. Vulnerable children whose parents are chronically ill often times become primary caregivers. Decline in income and increased workload tends to cause children to drop out of school. Many fall victim to exploitation.
In Kenya, HIV/AIDS prevalence is 10%, with HIV infecting 2.5 million people (National AIDS and STD Control Program, 2002). The community of Budalangi, in the district of Busia where this project is located, there is an HIV prevalence rate of 15%. Most affected are young adults between the ages of 15 and 49, particularly woman age 20 to 24. The death of productive young adults has placed a devastating economic and psychosocial impact upon orphaned children.
What is the solution?
It is essential to empower Budalangi to take responsibility for the care and well being of orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) by strengthening capacity and community resources. Children who have lost their parents tend to develop best when they are able to remain with their siblings in a family situation with an adult caregiver in their own community. This helps to mitigate the grief, insecurity and fears commonly experienced by orphans. They also are able to participate in their own traditions and cultures. In turn, they are more likely to succeed in school, develop socialization skills, and prepare for their future livelihood.
Project Objectives
By FY06 end, the project will provide care and support to 2,616 OVC by increasing household capacity, and strengthening community-lead response. The project will:
- Provide psychosocial support through community-lead interventions
- Employ life-skills and HIV prevention education to school children taught by their teachers
- Protect OVCs from abuse and exploitation by training community leaders
- Provide microenterprise support and income-generating skills to OVC households
Project Duration
Two years
2005 Funding Need
$69,000*
*Can be funded partially or in full. |
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