Programme Overview
The programme was designed to work alongside existing Home Based Care interventions to; build community capacity, engage commitment from government sectors and partners, strengthen community structures, networks and referrals and develop a 'best practice model' for community led, and sustainable provision of care and support for PLWA and their families.
The Approach
The core strategy is a holistic, rights based approach towards community care and support of PLWA and OVC. Building on existing capacity, infrastructure and skills within affected communities, the programme addresses the; psychosocial, clinical, social, economic, rights and participation of PLWA, community members, government and civil society in sustaining a comprehensive and community led support system which can affect policy. Research led and in line with international guidelines, the programme addresses the short term emergency needs and longer term social, cultural and economic issues associated with HIV and AIDS.
Phase One - identifying needs, community groups and partners, conducting training and providing direct aid.
Phase Two - strengthening community links and structures, training in project cycle management and expansion of services.
Phase Three - preparing community groups and local partners for hand over, monitoring and providing technical support.
The programme focuses on and integrates four thematic areas and is supported by establishing and maintaining community structures.
- Community Livelihood Initiatives – Building nutritional and economic capacity
- Child Rights and Welfare – Child protection, health education and direct aid
- Counselling and Wellbeing Services - Prevention, Care and Treatment
- Education and vocational training services - Increasing access to information & education
Part of our long-term strategic plan is to share ACE Africa’s best practice approach towards OVC support, and we are already partnering with other NGOs.
ACE Africa establishes and maintains community structures to sustain community care and support services now and in the future:
Community Support Groups
Central to ACE Africa's approach is the involvement and strengthening of community support groups. Made up of People Living with HIV and AIDS, Guardians, Widows and Youth they are ultimately responsible for the welfare of orphans and vulnerable children in their community. ACE Africa works with 118 community support groups (over 2,000 members - 80% of whom are women, 80% widowed and 60% HIV positive.) ACE Africa provides groups with business and income generating skills, budgeting, planning and reporting skills as well as training in child rights, welfare, basic counselling and monitoring and evaluation.
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Community Mentors
Over 400 community members have been trained as mentors and provide technical support on nutrition, child welfare and basic counselling to People Living with HIV and AIDS, orphans and vulnerable children, their families and guardians.
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Community Child Rights Committees
ACE Africa has established 14 child rights committees which are made up of; teachers, opinion, local and religious leaders, health and retired legal professionals, youth, guardians, PLWA and local administration. The Committees are trained in human rights and paralegal issues in order that they can work closely with schools and government administration to enforce the rights of women and children, raise awareness of child rights issues in the community and identify, resolve or refer cases of abuse.
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Area Advisory Committees
ACE Africa has established 12 Area Advisory Committees, made up of; teachers, opinion, local and religious leaders, retired professionals, youth, guardians and PLWA. The committees increase community involvement in decision making and play an intrinsic role in the identification of beneficiaries and their needs, project planning and reporting. Ultimately, the Area Advisory Committees will be responsible for managing the programme, networking and linking with local administration and service providers.
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Cost Effectiveness and strategy
Through greater involvement of Community Volunteers, local government and other partners, the ACE Africa programme aims to maximize service provision through the sharing of knowledge, resources and skills. Greater involvement in the management and delivery of services from local service providers and of community members ensures a community led, cost effective and sustainable approach towards the care and support of orphans and vulnerable children now and in the future
ACE Africa 2011 - 2015 Strategy
Whilst maintaining programming in the three core sites, ACE Africa aims to increase its reach not through increasing in size, but through knowledge transfer and technical support with local and international partners involved in community orphan care.
ACE Africa has developed best practice tools, systems and technical staff to disseminate the model.
By 2013, the ACE Africa programme in target areas of Bungoma will be self sustaining.
By 2015, ACE Africa will be reaching a further 170,000 vulnerable people directly in the core sites, including expansion in Bungoma.
By 2015 ACE Africa will have engaged a further 40 international and Community Based Organisations in the adoption of the model.
By 2015 ACE Africa and partners will have reached a cumulative total of 600,000 direct and 1,000,000 indirect beneficiaries with a 200% increase in volunteer and partner involvement and 18% reduction in staffing since 2009.