This is specifically designed for those living with Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVCs) within their households. This assistance aims to empower caregivers, equipping them with the necessary skills and resources to effectively meet the needs of the children under their care. The support includes:
Social and Economic Empowerment:
Among the interventions to provide caregivers with the tools, resources and opportunities to achieve economic self-sufficiency, improve their economic status and have control over their financial resources include;
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Business training: This is done regularly to equip caregivers with essential business skills, enabling them to proficiently manage their income-generating activities. This training aims to enhance their capacity to foster a more effective and sustainable approach to their economic endeavours.
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Interest free micro loans in form of revolving fund: This loan structured as a revolving fund, establishes a pooled resource accessible to caregivers. This resource allows them to borrow funds to bolster their businesses devoid of interest. This approach serves as a catalyst, significantly amplifying the growth and sustainability of their income generating activities.
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Business visit: Done by social worker to monitor and assess the progress of beneficiaries in their income-generating activities. This helps in understanding the effectiveness of the interventions and identifying areas that may need additional support.
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Home Visit: Done regularly by the social worker to provide personalized and holistic support. Home visits allow social workers to gain deeper insights into the living conditions, challenges, and strengths of the individuals and families they serve.
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Providing a safe space for empowerment meeting: Caregivers regularly meet to exchange experiences related to both business and the challenges of raising orphans. This platform has proven invaluable, as it fosters a sense of family among women, enabling them to share the burdens they carry and, in doing so, collectively lighten the load.
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Social Protection programs: In this initiative, caregivers allocate a portion of their business profits for collective saving. This shared fund operates as a merry-go-round among the members, fostering financial security. Additionally, caregivers systematically contribute to a savings plan dedicated to a welfare program, serving as a protective measure during emergencies. Moreover, participants are enrolled in a Savings and Credit Cooperative (SACCO), where they consistently set aside a portion of their income, further reinforcing their financial resilience.
