Changing lives of children in Changing lives of children in distress through the church; distress through the church;

Compassion International OVC Compassion International OVC ResponseResponse

By George OsooBy George OsooCompassion Kenya Health SpecialistCompassion Kenya Health Specialist

CCIH, May 2008CCIH, May 2008

Compassion in KenyaCompassion in Kenya

•Since 1980.

•Has 248 church partners

•Reaching out to 61,697 needy children

•Total No. of orphans supported by Compassion11,167

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Where does Where does compassioncompassion work in Kenya?work in Kenya?

OVC or HVC?•Compassion uses a different term for the same category of children

•The word OVC, especially in HIV/AIDS situation attracts stigma

•HVC: Hyper vulnerable Children

Vulnerability Determination

• Orphan hood• Hostile home situation• Social/environmental factors

This is assessed through vulnerability index tool that was adopted from UNICEF

Why HVC?•Do badly in school and/or drop out of school •Begin working at an early age •Have poor health and nutrition •Lose their rights to land and property •Lack love, care and attention •Experience stigma and discrimination •Suffer sexual abuse and exploitation •Become HIV-infected •Experience long-term psychological problems.

Compassion HVC care models

Church based:

•Care reinforcement

•Care replacement

Care re-enforcement

Strengthening capacity of families to sustein community based care of highly vulnerable children.

Care ReplacementRefer to alternative care where the child has no family member or extended family to provide care. Compassion’s two approaches:

•Foster Care

•Community based Compassion Cottage

Care Reinforcement Package •Shelter renovation/assistance• Nutritional assessment and support•Counseling •Education support•Medical support•Other discretionary needs•Caregivers education on children’s rights.

Care Replacement

1.Foster Care• Community mobilization through the

church.• Training of willing families on foster care.• Shelter assistance• Nutritional assessment/assistance• Medical assistance• Child Counseling• Caregiver counseling.• Income Generating activities

Care Replacement

2.Compassion Cottage (4 with 30 children)• Shelter• Volunteer caregiver• Nutritional

assessment/assistance• Education assistance• Property follow up• Counseling• reintegration• Medical assistance• Caregiver counseling• Income generating activities

Activities

Shelter assistanceShelter assistance200 beneficiaries200 beneficiaries

Economic empowerment:

Foster: NyamburaFoster: Nyambura FredaFreda

cottage carecottage care4 cottages in Kenya with 30 children4 cottages in Kenya with 30 children

Medical interventions: ChelagatMedical interventions: Chelagat

Conclusion