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Rwanda - Care and Support of Orphans and Vulnerable Children in Gikongoro
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What is the need?
U.N. estimates indicate that Rwanda has one of the world's highest percentages of orphans under age 15, with more than 17% of the nation's children having lost one or both parents. Rwanda's overwhelming orphan population is a result of both the HIV/AIDS epidemic and the devastation wrought by the 1994 genocide. With an estimated 9 percent of adults infected with the HIV virus, the number of orphans is expected to increase significantly. More than 65,000 orphans are the sole caretaker for their younger siblings and need help to cope with the violence of war, the illness of parents, and their changing roles and responsibilities after their parents' deaths.
Without caring community intervention, these children often suffer physical and psychological abuse, and many must resort to risky behaviors, such as prostitution, for survival. Additionally, the Gikongoro prefecture, due to agricultural constraints, is considered the poorest region in Rwanda making the situation even more dire.
What is the solution?
This proposed project would engage the local adult population in taking responsibility for the care and nurture of orphans in their community in order to address the psychosocial needs of the children. Utilizing a mentoring model, trained, adult community volunteers would establish relationships with orphans and vulnerable children (OVCs) in their area, making regular visits and offering care and guidance to the children. The emotional support will help decrease trauma and stress in orphans, aid in their socialization, and help child-headed households care for younger siblings and make informed family decisions.
Project Objectives
Working in partnership with the Tulane University School of Public Health (TSPH) and the Rwanda School of Public Health (RSPH), World Vision will develop and implement project activities and strengthen the skills of RSPH staff to ensure that professional capacity is enhanced within the country. TSPH will be responsible for assessing the project strategies and determining their success in helping orphaned children. Supported activities include:
- Recruit and train 300 community volunteers to mentor 886 child-headed households (more than 2,600 children), with each mentor supporting approximately three households
- Form 20 mentor committees of 15 members each that will meet on a monthly basis -- equip each committee with a one-time startup fund of $200
- Establish bi-monthly recreational and social activities for children
- Create and utilize monitoring and evaluation tools
- Train staff in psychological skills, child development, HIV/AIDS education, community participation and care of OVCs, and use of monitoring and assessment tools
Short-term expected outcomes include ensuring that 90 percent of OVCs in Gikongoro have access to adult guidance through competent mentors; and empowered communities are able to effectively respond to the psychosocial needs of these children. Longer-term results include:
- Improved emotional well being of OVCs, including increased self-esteem, hope, connectedness with community, age-appropriate behaviors and reduced levels of depression, stress and anxiety
- Improved functioning of OVCs in the Gikongoro community, including better living conditions, increased school or job attendance, and achievement of developmental milestones
Program Duration
Three years
2005 Funding Need
$153,333*
*Can be funded partially or in full. |
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