© 2003, CARE USA. All rights reserved.

LOCAL LINKSfor OVC support Project

(Kenya)

Presentation to ECD Partners’ Meeting, Sept. 26-30, 2005 (Nairobi)

© 2003, CARE USA. All rights reserved.

Strengthen the economic coping mechanisms of OVC families and communitiesStrengthen the capacity of local organizations to meet the needs and rights of orphans and vulnerable childrenReduce stigma and discrimination against orphans and vulnerable children and their families.

Local Links - Objectives

© 2003, CARE USA. All rights reserved.

Kibera Informal Settlement, Nairobi, Kenya13 villages spread across a 5 sq. km areaLargest informal settlement in KenyaHigh population density (1,000,000 people) Poor sanitation (flying toilets) & social amenities Poor shelter (squatters)Recurrent conflicts on land and politicsHigh incidence of CSW and child rights violations High rate of unemploymentHIV/AIDS rate 17% in 2002Insecurity and culture of violence – lynching is common

© 2003, CARE USA. All rights reserved.

Key Partners15 CSOs addressing OVC issues in Kibera10 faith based organizationsGovernment (mainly thro’ the Children's Department)10 community youth groupsLocal administration (area chiefs, councilors and headmen)14 community schools

© 2003, CARE USA. All rights reserved.

Project ComponentsGroup Savings and Loans schemesCapacity Building for CBOs (skills training and provision of seed funds for scale up)Stigma reduction work with the youth and FBOs (PET, sermons, sports, beauty contests, IEC materials etc.)

© 2003, CARE USA. All rights reserved.

Key AchievementsEstablishment of a functional field officeParticipatory identification of causes of S&D in KiberaDesign and execution of successful stigma reduction campaignsInvolvement of AAC in coordination of children services Provision of a variety of skills to partners (GS&L, S&D, IEC dev’t and distribution, Project Design and Management, Child Rights, SPM and PET)Established GS&L services for 1,200 caregivers taking care of 6,000 OVCAddressing of other emerging issues affecting OVC (deworming, child rights and SPM for non-GSL members)Numerous highlights of Local Links work on national mediaHigh levels of community participation thro committeesFormation of a network of CSOs working on OVC issues in Kibera

© 2003, CARE USA. All rights reserved.

GS&L featuresInternal loans scheme – no external injection of cash5 module trainingGroups comprise of 5-15 peopleMost variables determined by the group (interest, meetings pattern, group membership etc)Facilitates graduation of members to conventional MFI servicesCost effectiveM&E tools for tracking group progress and benefits to OVC

© 2003, CARE USA. All rights reserved.

ChallengesStigma is deep-rooted but impact of Local Links is starting to show High incidence of child rights violationsInadequate attention to children in pre-schOver-moralization of HIV makes FBO engagement difficultInroads into Muslim communityLow capacities of partner CSOs;“briefcase” CSOsInsecurity Dependency syndrome fuelled by other agencies working in KiberaReaching young women and the poorest of the poorMobilizing men and youth for GS&LLack of government concern/responsibility for informal settlementsOncoming slum housing upgrading scheme

© 2003, CARE USA. All rights reserved.

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