SUPPORT PROGRAM FOR ORPHAN CHILDREN LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS PROJECT
Support Program for Children Living with HIV/AIDs project is one of the projects of SDE which has started out it’s dispense since 2004 as an institutional child care and support program. The very reason why this project came into practice is to contribute to the efforts being made in the country to limit the adverse effects of HIV/AIDs on orphaned children.
What are the challenges that initiated SDE to involve in this project?
According to the WHO’s current study report, estimated 753,100 people are living with HIV in Ethiopia with a declining national HIV prevalence. In 2011 it was estimated to be 1.5% (DHS 2011) and 1.1% in 2015 (2014 Spectrum projection); urban are more affected than rural areas while females are twice affected than the male population with HIV.
The report further depicts that Ethiopia is among the countries most affected by the HIV epidemic which has a large number of people living with HIV (approximately 753,100); and about 1 million AIDS orphans. Despite these mounting challenges, the global response has been a reason for hope and optimism in fighting the epidemic. At the same time, the report also confirmed that despite the multi-faceted challenges caused by HIV/AIDS, Ethiopia has demonstrated that with commitment and effective strategies, there is hope for reversing the trend and minimizing the impacts.
On the other hand, the current reports and studies confirm that the support provided to OVCs is far from adequate considering the total number of needy children (only 45-50% of OVCs are addressed, sometimes, partially). Therefore these children are left vulnerable at the time of their greatest need due to loss of family support. To address these gaps the reports of studies calls for a more robust and targeted response while at the same time scaling-up existing interventions among high-risk population groups.
What do we do on the project?
Housing; nutritious and balanced food, clothing; formal education in public and private schools; psycho-social support; intensive health care and training; reintegration with families; recreational services e.tc; generally all standard services for institutional care and support of children are provided in the center. The center so far has capacities for 45 children and has sustainable graduation strategies. The first stage is where children of both sexes below 14 years are living together; the second one is a group home where above 14 years youth boys and girls live separately in a group of 8-10 members followed by individual life after a maximum of four years in a group home. In the group home, they learn how they can help themselves in addition to skill training and education from technical & vocational to university levels. In individual life, they are supported for a maximum of six months up until they are secured jobs. Selections of new entrants are made to replace those reintegrated with families or relatives and fully graduated from SDE’s support.
The current three years project profile of Orphan Children Living with HIV/AIDS Project
i. Project Title: Support Program for Orphan Children Living with HIV/AIDS
ii. Objective: The objective of the project is to limit the adverse effect of HIV/AIDS on the children.
iii. Number of beneficiaries
- Direct = 45 children
- Indirect= their extended families and the community
iv. Area of Operation: Arada Sub City in Addis Ababa City Administration
v. Duration of the Project: Three Years (April 2016-April 2019)
vi. Implementer: Siddartha Development Ethiopia
vii. Donor: Different individuals in Belgium through Siddartha Belgium and domestic supporters
viii. Budget:
• Total = Birr 10,462,676
• Program Cost= Birr 8,302,927 (79%)
• Administration Cost= Birr 2,159,749 (21% )