July 25, 2017
The problem:
Prosper project is implemented in Homa Bay and Migori Counties, which continue to present the highest HIV prevalence rates in Kenya, 26 and 14.3 percent respectively against the national prevalence of 5.9 percent (Kenya HIV County Profiles 2016). The two counties are among the four which have been reported nationally as hyper endemic areas in the HIV disease burden. Homa Bay County leads with the documented new adult and child (0-14 years) HIV infections while Migori County is ranked 4th. The HIV prevalence is also higher among the women indicating higher vulnerability to infection. The high burden of HIV has continued to have far reaching socio- economic impact on the affected communities. Prosper is a four-year project, (2016- 2019) which focuses on building strong and resilient families so that they are able to meet the immediate needs of Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC). The project promotes economic growth, food security and health messages among the households in the two counties. In addition, the project is focused on developing linkages and referral pathways to enable households to access services and resources available from National and County Governments of Kenya, other Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), Faith Based Organizations (FBOs), Community Based Organizations (CBOs), and the private sector.
The project is in the second year of implementation and currently supports 4,350 caregivers caring for 9,512 OVC. The project has employed various strategies considering the varying levels of vulnerabilities and status of the household heads to build their capacities to grow their economic and social capitals. The economic gains and social capitals will enable them to sustainably respond to the needs of OVC. CRS continued to build the capacity of the four Prosper Local Implementing Partners (LIPs): Caritas Homa Bay, Homa Hills Community Development Organization (HHCDO), Mercy Orphans Support Group(MOSGUP), and Blue Cross Nyatike Community Development Program (BCN) that they can deliver, advocate and link the households to core services. These were done through meetings, trainings and mentorship. The LIPs implementation structure includes 195 Community Health Volunteers (CHVs), 23 Volunteer Children Officers(VCOs), 14 Agriculture Field Agents (AFAs) and 54 SILC Private Service Providers (PSP) who play the crucial role of service delivery at the households, groups and community levels.
The objective:
The overall goal of this project is OVC households have improved quality of life.
The strategic objectives are,
1. OVC households in Homa Bay and Migori Counties have increased income to meet the basic needs of OVC.
2. OVC households have improved health.
3. Public, private and NGO actors provide higher quality coordinated services to OVC HHs.
Where we work:
Nyanza province, Homabay and Migori counties
Description (specific objectives, activities etc.):
Prosper Project activates by strategic objective;
SO1; OVC households in Homa Bay and Migori Counties have increased income to meet the basic needs of OVC activities are;
• Promotes Savings and Internal Lending Communities (SILC) methodology among the community. SILC methodology is a community led microfinance model developed by CRS. Currently the project has 1294 SILC groups with a total membership of 22,293. The project continues to mentor the groups private service providers, SILC group leaders and groups.
• Entrepreneurship and Business management training to enhance business startups and growth of IGAs started or expanded with SILC loans.
• The project also advocate for financial needs of SILC groups and support linkages with microfinance institution and government funds to businesses.
• Setting up of Farmer Field schools (FFS) at community level and Junior Farmer Field and Life Schools (JFFLS) at school level to enhance learning through experimentation and innovations.
• Roll down of Skills for Marketing and Rural Transformation (SMART Skills) to SILC and FFS groups aims to strengthen all the skills farmers need to create effective and sustainable linkages to markets
• Provide in-kind grant to individual caregivers and groups the value chains targeted are tissue culture bananas, pawpaw, vegetables, orange flesh sweet potato (OFSP), beehives and honey extractors and improved local poultry.
• The local partner, Caritas Homa Bay, links OVC HHs to access Sweet Potatoes Vines from International Sweet Potatoes Centre (CIP) through MOALF and MOH for both income and food consumption. Apart from the nutritional importance, the tuber also cushions the families from the shocks of hunger and nutritional deficiencies.
• Establishment of bulking sites for tissue culture bananas, cassava and OFSP.
• Collaborate with other stakeholders to conduct agricultural field days and trade fairs.
• Provide market information and facilitate caregivers market linkages
• Establishment of kitchen gardens
• Community health volunteers (CHVs) sensitize HHs on food groups, dietary diversity, food preparation and food handling. OFSP and dark green leafy vegetables are prioritized by CHVs. The project works with 195 CHVs.
SO2; HHs with OVC have improved health, education, child protection and WASH practices
• CHV visit HH to provide Malaria and diarrhea prevention messages
• Staff visit to priority HH (Priority HH- Child headed, CG living with HIV/OVC living with HIV, elderly CG, HH member with TB or Chronic illness)
• Conduct community dialogue and action days
• Facilitate Integrated Community Health outreach
• Caregivers and OVC in need referred to health facilities
• Facilitate OVCs to access birth certificates and death certificates for deceased parents.
• Conduct school visits and Quarterly mentorship meeting with OVC
• School fees payment for secondary, vocational and special education
• CHVs mentor caregivers on HH sanitation and hygiene practices
• Protection of water points
SO3: OVC HHs consistently access coordinated services from public, private and NGO actors
• Advocacy training for Implementing Partners
• Mentorship Program for OVC alumni
• Support Stakeholder meeting/forums
• Link OVC to internship opportunities, Scholarships, GoK cash and in-kind grants.
• Map private sector actors and have meetings with the actors.
• Make MoUs with the private sector actor based on the CSR policies and caregivers’ needs
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