|
|
Uganda
Microenterprise Development
|
|
|
What is the need?
In Uganda, two million children—nearly 20 percent of the country’s total—have lost one or both parents to HIV/AIDS. This epidemic has created a diverse set of challenges and needs for the orphans and children left behind. Without the financial support, care, or protection of a parent in their lives, many are forced to leave school to care for other family members infected with HIV/AIDS or to engage in child labor. They often experience emotional distress, hunger, poverty, homelessness, and physical and sexual abuse. To make matters worse, they also they run a heightened risk of contracting HIV/AIDS.
What is the solution?
World Vision has launched an initiative that works through microfinance institutions (MFIs) to create a “safety net” to help reduce the impact of HIV/AIDS on orphans and vulnerable children in Uganda.
Equipping community members to become caregivers is the most effective way to meet the basic needs of these children. Yet bringing them into their homes also brings an increased financial burden. Nearly 70 percent of World Vision’s MFI clients in Uganda are caring for an average of three HIV/AIDS orphans in addition to their own children.
World Vision’s MFIs help families care for these children by granting them loans to start businesses, purchase supplies and equipment, expand operations, market goods or services, and hire additional staff. Because most caregivers are women (98 percent), a majority of loan clients are women who have a high repayment rate of 96 percent. With an extra income, these caregivers can afford to provide the nutritious food, improved living conditions, health care, and education these children need.
Project Objectives
- Develop and offer a loan product for MFI clients that addresses the issue of school fees to make education a reality for orphans and vulnerable children
- Increase income and economic security for caregivers (primarily women) caring for the basic needs of orphans and vulnerable children through 100 community-based savings and loan groups
- Equip and motivate 200 Community Care Education and Training Teams to care for the long-term and unique emotional needs of orphans and vulnerable children and to advocate for them in their communities
- Reach 20,000 orphans and vulnerable children with HIV/AIDS prevention and life skills information that prepares them for independence as adults
- Train 1,000 peer educators in how to teach HIV/AIDS prevention and awareness
- Provide proper documentation of activities undertaken
Project Duration
Three years
2005 Funding Needed
$118,172*
*Can be funded partially or in full. |
|
