OVC CARE: OSA and its partnering CBOs have now cared for over 55,000 OVC. We emphasize the importance of comprehensive care in order that children have the opportunity to become well-rounded adults.

  • Training of caregivers: Much of OVC support is run through community-based childcare centers (CBCCs). OSA has trained 920 CBCC caregivers in psychosocial support and early childhood development (ECD) for OVC. As of 2010, there are 188 CBCCs from 30 CBOs supporting over 12,000 OVC.
  • Children‘s Corners: OSA arranges early childhood development trainings for teachers. Throughout our affiliated CBCCs, this provides children with a proven basis for better learning throughout their academic life. Children’s corners supported 3,064 OVC in 2010.
  • Nutrition: As part of OSA’s early childhood education program, 4,494 OVC were fed in 2009 at CBCCs with food both purchased and grown directly by partnering CBOs. Through OSA’s partnership with Vitameals, OVC fed more than doubled in 2010.
  • Health: OVC are trained in basic hygiene, HIV/AIDS prevention, and over 1,500 utilized primary care in situations of ill health in 2009. Over 9,000 OVC were provided with clothes and blankets to help avoid pneumonia and provided bed-nets for the prevention of malaria.
  • Education Support: CBCCs provide uniforms and school supplies to students, along with subsidized school fees for qualifying secondary school students. In 2009 2,191 students were supported with subsidized fees and/or supplies and uniforms.

 

SUSTAINABILITY AND EMPOWERMENT: OSA has helped spur the development of economically independent and empowered rural communities. These communities are then able to sustain the comprehensive support for OVCs.

  • IGAs: OSA has encouraged the continued viability of partnering CBOs through the creation of 58 income generating activities (IGAs) since 2007.
  • Trainings: OSA helps build capacity of community members and CBOs as a whole through a variety of trainings.
    • 920: OVC caregivers trained in OVC psychosocial support and ECD
    • 431: CBO and community members trained in IGA management to ensure viability of these projects.
    • 8,769: Community members trained in Participatory Management & Evaluation (PM&E) so that they can hold their local CBOs accountable and responsive to their needs and suggestions.
    • 402: CBO members trained in finance and leadership trainings to build the capacity of the CBOs.
    • These trainings combine to improve the overall capacity of communities to respond to the needs of its OVC.
  • Women’s Empowerment: Along with the self-help groups as part of KNH, which give women the opportunity to access microloans and to create small scale income generating activities, OSA looks to empower women through its partnering CBOs. In 2010, of the 34 funded CBOs, 8 were run by female directors.