In 2004, the number of orphans in the country was estimated at 1.8 million. Since then the number has steadily grown to over 2.4 million. Most of these children lack access to basic needs due to high levels of poverty. In view of 46% of Kenyans living below poverty line with children accounting for 19%, the OVC are more prone to different forms of abuse and exploitation due to their vulnerable circumstances. More
YWCAA recognizes the family as the natural unit for proper socialization and growth for every child. It aims at strengthening the capacity of families/households to care for OVC within the community as the key strategic focus in addressing the OVC situation. The extended family, already undermined by poverty, is increasingly unable to provide such numbers of children with even the basic requirements of shelter, food, education, medical care, love and support. YWCAA through a concerted collaborative intervention with partners has engaged in care and support to the OVCs and continue to register good progres. In the last three years, we have reached out directly to over 20,000 OVCs under the grandmothers and BAWA care as well as in communities we work in. We have also impacted lives of over 50,000 OVCs indirectly through a multiplier effect and visits by relatives and friends of grandmothers and BAWA households. More
In 2004, the number of orphans in the country was estimated at 1.8 million. Since then the number has steadily grown to over 2.4 million. Most of these children lack access to basic needs due to high levels of poverty. In view of 46% of Kenyans living below poverty line with children accounting for 19%, the OVC are more prone to different forms of abuse and exploitation due to their vulnerable circumstances.
The AIDS epidemic in Kenya continues to affect families and communities. There is nothing more traumatic for a child than to see a parent die. Added to this tragedy is the loss of adult guidance and protection. Children without proper adult care are more likely to be abused and exploited. Losing a parent or caregiver often means losing access to social grants, education and healthcare. At YWCAA, we recognize the need to provide a holistic OVC support knowing that every aspect of OVCs lives require a comprehensive package of ensuring good health and well being, proper nutrition and sustained food security, education, shelter and protection of their rights.
Knowing the impact of poverty on education, YWCAA also addresses economic empowerment of vulnerable households, often run by grandmothers, widows, including orphans and vulnerable children. Our intervention looks at the socio-cultural effects on education of both the girl and boy child - where culture and tradition play toll on retention in school. A girl is still viewed as means of wealth to the community, particularly when she gets married. Education is therefore non-prioritized as it’s seen as a long process to prosperity (if any) by the vulnerable households. Early marriage is seen as a quick fix to such households. In addition, the trauma that children undergo as a result of child labour is untold. The community looks at children as a form of labour force. The more children one has, the easier it gets to mobilize labour to undertake family chores. Children are therefore exposed to tough manual work at an early stage. They, for example help the households plough farms, fetch firewood and water - often drawn from seasonal streams situated far from their homes. This affects their natural growth, health, expose them to other forms of gender based violence, their self-esteem and impede their psychological well being.
YWCAA recognizes the family as the natural unit for proper socialization and growth for every child. It aims at strengthening the capacity of families/households to care for OVC within the community as the key strategic focus in addressing the OVC situation. The extended family, already undermined by poverty, is increasingly unable to provide such numbers of children with even the basic requirements of shelter, food, education, medical care, love and support. YWCAA through a concerted collaborative intervention with partners has engaged in care and support to the OVCs and continue to register good progress. In the last three years, we have reached out directly to over 20,000 OVCs under the grandmothers and BAWA care as well as in communities we work in. We have also impacted lives of over 50,000 OVCs indirectly through a multiplier effect and visits by relatives and friends of grandmothers and BAWA households.
YWCAA applies a holistic and integrated approach to attaining basic education and literacy in partnership with the Mosulo, Riwowa and Alot Jarire in Homabay, Kisumu and Siaya Counties. The organization works with volunteers at the community level to provide community/school feeding, sensitization and support programs; and provide nutritional, emotional and other basic needs. The objective of the project is to mobilize necessary resources and nurturing life skills to enable the adolescents grow as responsible citizens, to inject a sense of social responsibility and sustainability. During such initiatives, YWCAA joins the community in mobilizing some support - ranging from food stuff, old books, toys, stationery, clothes, shoes among other basics which are given in form of support to the OVCs. The day is also dedicated to sensitize the OVCs, care givers and the community on effective care giving, HIV/AIDS prevention, averting GBV, dangers of alcohol and substance abuse and SRHR.
