ORPHANS AND OTHER VULNERABLE CHILDREN
The HIV/AIDS pandemic is a major problem in Uganda and has greatly contributed to the huge number of orphans and other vulnerable children that are now overwhelming extended family support system in the society.
According to the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (2000/01), about 25% of all Ugandans households have at least one orphan with the average number of orphans per household estimated at 1.6. It is further estimated that there are 2.3 million orphaned children in Uganda and this has been attributed to the AIDS related deaths due to limited access to ART for the majority who are clinically eligible. Besides the HIV/AIDS pandemic, the LRA war and insecurity in the north, has also contributed extensively to the OVC situation. According to the Sero-Behaviour Survey (2004/05), the north Central has the highest number of OVC with 20% of the total.
Of the estimated 25 million people in Uganda, more than half are below 18 years of age and only about 3.5% is aged 65 years or older. With 59% of the population below poverty line, it means that a larger proportion of children is languishing in poverty and misery and is extremely vulnerable.
IRCU OVC Interventions
IRCU complements Government interventions by implementing activities for comprehensive support to Orphans and Vulnerable children within the parameters of the NSSPI and the NOP which provides guidelines of offering such support. Since 2004, IRCU has offered both formal and non formal education support, Psychosocial, Care and Support services, improved health service access and social economic empowerment to children and their caretakers through existing faith based institutions
Interventions have targeted caregivers to improve household income, support apprenticeship and vocation skills trainings to out of school youths, and creating awareness about protection, care and support of orphans and other vulnerable children besides capacity building for the implementing partners.
Education
IRCU currently supports, 9778 (5,330 female and 4,566 males), OVC in formal education with 489 (230 females and 259 males) attending secondary education.
At last years national examination sitting, 200 OVC (80 females, 120 Males) beneficiaries of the 367 recorded as primary education finalists have so far joined secondary education with 56 repeating class and the 23 transiting into apprenticeship and vocational education.
Apprenticeship and Vocational Studies
On the other hand, the 1,273 who previously graduated from apprenticeship and vocational studies are practicing their skills as individuals, groups or employed with establishments like Tororo Cement factory, Garages, metal fabrications, hotels and saloons. An additional 1,406 will be graduating by end of June 2009.
Social Economic Strengthening
The desire to foster household capacity to sustainably meet their own basic needs has led to training of caregivers in income generating activities in which 5,200 caregivers have been trained. Focusing on aspects as provision of planting materials through partnership, formation of saving and farming groups (Area Cooperative Enterprises), creation of market linkages and activity monitoring, there are now 1,720 caregivers involved in group activities from which they can generate an income to meet their family needs while others have been linked to government program such as NUSAF, NAADS and NUMAT.
Health Care
To ensure comprehensive OVC interventions, IRCU through the implementing partners has carried out basic healthcare interventions including family sensitizations on hygiene and general healthcare carried out by religious leaders during pastoral care and community volunteers. IRCU implementers have facilitated beneficiaries to access medical services through transport, bills and partner with health providers to provide preventive measures as deworming.
A critical component of the healthcare has been HIV/AIDS awareness, referral for HCT, care and treatment for both the children and caregivers. Community and school music, dance and drama groups have been used to create awareness in the community.
Child Protection
IRCU works with implementing partners for community awareness on child safety, protection and reporting channels. Using prayer times, religious celebrations, community meetings, music, dance and drama, child protection messages are passed to the community besides training school teachers, volunteers, religious and local leaders as child protection monitors.
Psychosocial Support
IRCU uses religious leaders’ to offer faith based psychosocial counseling, volunteers to offer guidance on memory books and support cognitive and life skill interventions besides encouraging positive living for HIV/AIDS caregivers and children.
The HIV/AIDS pandemic is a major problem in Uganda and has greatly contributed to the huge number of orphans and other vulnerable children that are now overwhelming extended family support system in the society. According to the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (2000/01), about 25% of all Ugandans households have at least one orphan with the average number of orphans per household estimated at 1.6. It is further estimated that there are 2.3 million orphaned children in Uganda and this has been attributed to the AIDS related deaths due to limited access to ART for the majority who are clinically eligible. Besides the HIV/AIDS pandemic, the LRA war and insecurity in the north, has also contributed extensively to the OVC situation. According to the Sero-Behaviour Survey (2004/05), the north Central has the highest number of OVC with 20% of the total.
Of the estimated 25 million people in Uganda, more than half are below 18 years of age and only about 3.5% is aged 65 years or older. With 59% of the population below poverty line, it means that a larger proportion of children is languishing in poverty and misery and is extremely vulnerable.
IRCU OVC Interventions
IRCU complements Government interventions by implementing activities for comprehensive support to Orphans and Vulnerable children within the parameters of the NSSPI and the NOP which provides guidelines of offering such support. Since 2004, IRCU has offered both formal and non formal education support, Psychosocial, Care and Support services, improved health service access and social economic empowerment to children and their caretakers through existing faith based institutions
Interventions have targeted caregivers to improve household income, support apprenticeship and vocation skills trainings to out of school youths, and creating awareness about protection, care and support of orphans and other vulnerable children besides capacity building for the implementing partners.
Education
IRCU currently supports, 9778 (5,330 female and 4,566 males), OVC in formal education with 489 (230 females and 259 males) attending secondary education.
At last years national examination sitting, 200 OVC (80 females, 120 Males) beneficiaries of the 367 recorded as primary education finalists have so far joined secondary education with 56 repeating class and the 23 transiting into apprenticeship and vocational education.
Apprenticeship and Vocational Studies
On the other hand, the 1,273 who previously graduated from apprenticeship and vocational studies are practicing their skills as individuals, groups or employed with establishments like Tororo Cement factory, Garages, metal fabrications, hotels and saloons. An additional 1,406 will be graduating by end of June 2009.
Social Economic Strengthening
The desire to foster household capacity to sustainably meet their own basic needs has led to training of caregivers in income generating activities in which 5,200 caregivers have been trained. Focusing on aspects as provision of planting materials through partnership, formation of saving and farming groups (Area Cooperative Enterprises), creation of market linkages and activity monitoring, there are now 1,720 caregivers involved in group activities from which they can generate an income to meet their family needs while others have been linked to government program such as NUSAF, NAADS and NUMAT.
Health Care To ensure comprehensive OVC interventions, IRCU through the implementing partners has carried out basic healthcare interventions including family sensitizations on hygiene and general healthcare carried out by religious leaders during pastoral care and community volunteers. IRCU implementers have facilitated beneficiaries to access medical services through transport, bills and partner with health providers to provide preventive measures as deworming.
A critical component of the healthcare has been HIV/AIDS awareness, referral for HCT, care and treatment for both the children and caregivers. Community and school music, dance and drama groups have been used to create awareness in the community.
Child Protection
IRCU works with implementing partners for community awareness on child safety, protection and reporting channels. Using prayer times, religious celebrations, community meetings, music, dance and drama, child protection messages are passed to the community besides training school teachers, volunteers, religious and local leaders as child protection monitors.
Psychosocial Support
IRCU uses religious leaders’ to offer faith based psychosocial counseling, volunteers to offer guidance on memory books and support cognitive and life skill interventions besides encouraging positive living for HIV/AIDS caregivers and children.