South Africa
Izingane Zethu OVC Program
Activity Dates
2006 – ongoing
Activity Summary
The Valley Trust, one of JHHESA’s implementing partners, and South Africa’s oldest and best-known Non-Government Organizations, is a partner in the Izingane Zethu Intervention (IZI). The overarching goal of the intervention is to improve the well-being of young children, with the particular emphasis on orphans and vulnerable children.
IZI uses integrated developmental approaches aimed at community management and support for young children, their families and their communities. IZI strengthens the capacity of community institutions and associations so that they can respond optimally to the rights and needs of orphans and vulnerable children, and create environments that nurture the healthy development of these children.
The project works with youth and adult caregivers as well as faith based organisations in the six areas of Qadi, Nyuswa, KwaXimba, Ngcolosi, Molweni and Emaphephetheni.
Objectives
- To strengthen the role which young people, faith based organisations (FBO), and volunteers can play in the care and support of orphans and vulnerable children (OVC)
- To respond optimally to the rights and needs of young children with a particular emphasis on Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC)
- To create environments that nurture healthy development of children
Implementation
In general, IZI:
- Facilitates community conversations for OVC, pre-school practitioners, school governing bodies, community policing forums, other stakeholders and youth care givers to address stigma directed at OVC
- Trains youth and adult caregivers on the basic rights of children
- Trains caregivers in nutrition programs and the establishment of gardens to improve nutrition for OVC
- Facilitates a leadership development program for youth, pre-school practitioners and adult caregiver
- Establishes child care forums with all relevant stakeholders, including government departments that provide services to OVC
- Compiled a directory of government and civil society services available for children
- Gives an annual OVC Community Caregiver Award for the three areas targeted
- Provides mentorship to the caregivers
- Provide caregivers with information on HIV & AIDS
- Trains caregivers with the assistance of University of KwaZulu Natal in how to provide psychosocial support to build emotional resilience of OVC
- Consults with caregivers, local youth, community members, and FBOs on how to continuously improve the project
- Links the youth caregivers to a network of local resources including adult mentors.
Trained caregivers:
- Visit OVCs to assist with educational needs;
- Request school governing body assistance for exemption from paying school fees for OVC
- Make schools aware of the South African Schools Act in respect of exemptions from school fees
- Link OVC with programs providing educational support
- Facilitate group recreational activities including music, drama and a variety of sports, depending on OVC choices, to decrease social isolation frequently experienced by children affected by AIDS
- Provide OVC and families with information on where to access services, including VCT, health services, counseling services, and grants
- Provide psychosocial support to OVC and families
- Provide increased food security and good nutrition for OVC through establishment of food gardens
- Establish a “safe space” within schools for pupils in need of support
- Coordinate red ribbon stigma reduction activities and campaigns in schools to break down stigma
- Establish contacts with the South African Police Services, Community Policing Forums and social workers to devise strategies to protect OVC form abuse;
- Teach families basic information about HIV prevention
- Provide psychosocial support to OVC through individual counseling and group activities
- Provide bereavement counseling for OVC
Audiences
Youth and adult caregivers, orphans and vulnerable children, faith-based organizations, pre-school practitioners, school governing bodies, community policing forums
Partners
The Valley Trust, University of KwaZulu Natal
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