Effectiveness of Local Community Based Organizations (CBOs) in providing support services to orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) in Kisumu East Distric

Abstract

The number of OVCs in Kenya is not known partly because of lack of a common country defmition of OVC, especially identifying what constitutes a 'vulnerable' child. Different sources have continued to use an estimation of 2.4 million orphans exposed to risk s of poverty, stigma, poor health and nutrition, limited educational and vocational opportunities, and inadequate social and emotional support. The study was set out to establish the effectiveness of CBOs in providing care and support for Orphans and Vulne rable Children within three CBOs in Kisumu East District. This was done through reviewing of implementation of OVC programme strategies by Orongo Widows and Orphans, Manyenya Upendo and Maisha CBO. The selection of the district and CBOs was done purposivel y and data was gathered through focus group discussions and unstructured interviews. Data analysis was carried out through establishing the emerging themes and comparing responses by respondents in order to check the validity of the data collected. OVC int erventions at community level, whether initiated by individuals or groups, offer various types of support including material and non - material assistance to vulnerable children and their households. This support includes food and nutrition support, educatio nal support, psychosocial support, household visits and home - based care and child fostering. A community response may not necessarily offer a tangible resource or service; the intangible support includes counseling, companionship, acceptance and solace thr ough prayer as well as help to destigmatize community members. Community initiatives, built on a spirit of volunteerism and a willingness to help others, are of various types and can be at different stages of development within the same community. Unlike O rongo and Manyenya, Maisha seemed to have a weak sense of common community initiatives which was characterized by low levels of togetherness, trust and reciprocity. An examination of factors facilitating or hindering responses by a community looked at both individual and social factors, because some individuals volunteer despite facing problems such as poverty and unemployment. Social factors hindering community responses may include Age, gender, HIV and AIDS - related stigma. Linkage to education, health and welfare services available locally if strengthened will reduce the work load of the CBO and therefore more children can be reached. The relationship between government and community responses can be reciprocal, with government providing financial and tech nical support to CBOs and the CBOs implementing programmes and reaching out to the OVC in return. The general conclusion from this study was that commendable efforts had been made in OVC interventions and therefore CBOs have a great potential towards the a chievement of sustainable development, however more emphasis should be laid on meeting the priority needs of the OVC and their Care givers. The CBOs also need to constantly review their service delivery strategy and approach for effective interventions