Orphans and Vulnerable Children OVC

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1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 Orphans and Vulnerable Children OVC

Progra i g a d PEPFAR’s AID“ Response For people infected and affected by the epidemic, HIV is not only a medical experience. It is also a social and emotional experience that profoundly affects their lives and their futures. Programming for children orphaned and made vulnerable by HIVAIDS contributes to the achievement of an AIDS-free generation by responding to the social including economic and emotional consequences of the disease on children, their families, and communities that support them. PEPFAR programs for AIDS-affected children have promoted resilience in children and broader society by reducing adversity and by building services and systems that reach people directly in their households and communities. 1 And the evidence – highlighted here and throughout the document – shows that these interventions are working. They have kept children in school and improved education 2,3 and psychosocial outcomes at the child level. 4 They have developed household economic strengthening HES initiatives; established parentcaregiver education and support groups; 5 and increased health care access and food and nutrition outcomes at the family and household level. 6,7 Over 4 million children have benefitted from these efforts in 20ll alone. OVC programs also support the medical goals of the response in key and mutually beneficial ways. For example, efforts to keep children in school have positive impacts on prevention. 8 Economic strengthening activities help remove barriers to accessing facility-based services, 9 and child-focused health interventions are important platforms for targeting mothers for prevention of mother-to-child transmission PMTCT. In addition, OVC community-based programming helps to reduce stigma and discrimination and create an enabling environment for people infected and affected by HIVAIDS to access services. 10,11 By addressing socio-emotional effects of the epidemic, OVC programs reduce the likelihood of children and adolescents moving from being affected by the epidemic to infected. 1 Binagwaho A, Noguchi J., et al. 2008. Community-Centered Integrated Services for Orphans and Vulnerable Children in Rwanda. Joint Learning Initiative on Children and HIVAIDS. 2 Blackett-Dibinga K, Anah K, Matinhure N. 2006. Innovations in Education: The role of the education sector in combating HIVAIDS. Africare: Office of Health and HIVAIDS; 3 Bryant M, et al. 2011 Evaluating the Effectiveness of Educational Block Grants to Orphans and Vulnerable Children. USAID Project SEARCH ‘esea h ‘epo t: Bosto U i e sit OVC‐CA‘E P oje t. 4 Nyangara F, Obiero W, Kalungwa Z, Thurman T. 2009. Community-Based Psychosocial Intervention for HIV-Affected Children and their Caregivers: Evaluation of The Salvation Army. USAID MEASURE Evaluation Project. 5 Thurman T, Rice J, Ikamari L, Jarabi B, Mutuku A, Nyangara F. 2009. The Difference Interventions for Guardians Can Make: Evaluation of the Kilifi Orphans and Vulnerable Children Project in Kenya. USAID MEASURE Evaluation Project. 6 Adato M, Bassett L. 2009. Social protection to support vulnerable children and families: the potential of cash transfers to protect education, health and nutrition. AIDS Care. 21S1, 60-75. 7 Nyangara F, Kalungwa Z, Obiero W, Thurman TR, Chapman J. 2009. Promoting a Home-Based Program Model for Supporting Children Affected by HIVAIDS: Evaluation of Tumaini Project in Iringa Region, Tanzania. USAID MEASURE Evaluation Project. 8 Cho H, Hallfors DD, Mbai II, Itindi J, Milimo BW, Halpern CT, Iritani BJ. 2011. Keeping Adolescent Orphans in School to Prevent Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection : Evidence From a Randomized Controlled Trial in Kenya. J Adolesc Health. 485, 523-526. Epub 2011 Feb 18. 9 Stene A, Chandani T, Arur A, Patsika R, Carmona, A. 2009. Economic Strengthening Programs for HIVAIDS Affected Communities: Evidence of Impact and Good Practice Guidelines. Private Sector Partnerships One Project, Abt Associates, Inc. 10 Apinundecha C,. Laohasiriwong, Cameron M, Lim S. 2007. A community participation intervention to reduce HIVAIDS stigma, Nakhon Ratchasima province, northeast Thailand. AIDS Care 19, 1157-1165. 11 Nyblade, L, MacQuarrie K, Kwesigabo G, Jain A, Kajula L, Philip F, Tibesigwa WH, Mbwambo J. 2008. Moving Forward: Tackling Stigma in a Tanzanian Community: A Horizons Final Report. Washington, D.C.: Population Council. 6

1.2 Purpose