Play time at Mercy ECD Centre in Mbita G.R.A.C.E. Africa Releases End of Program External Evaluation for the Orphans Support Program

The report indicates that the program achieved most of its targets; it provided a minimum OVC package to 44,306 OVC, enrolled 2,176 OVC in community Early Childhood Development (ECD) classes, provided food and nutrition support to 11,315 beneficiaries, psychosocial support to 12,376 people and given referrals for health care to 3,018 people. The evaluators reported on many program innovations that helped in achieving notable results, which included:

• Increased food security; improved OVC and caregivers health; reduced HIV transmission.

• Strengthened CBO capacity to manage OVC activities; decreased community stigma; increased in kind contributions to OVC households.

• Improved lives of OVC caregivers; resiliency among children & caregivers; enforcement of child-rights policies leading to legal action against perpetrators; reduced cases of child abuse & disinheritance.
 
• Increased household economic security and ability to meet basic needs.

 The training of community members including the formation of child rights clubs in schools increased the program reach and promoted local expertise within the community and sustainability chances of program activities. The program also supported and facilitated partnerships among local stakeholders like government ministries, health facilities, education institutions, religious institutions and other CBOs. These partnerships stimulated community-driven responses, leading to a wider referral network to serve the children and families in need, and ultimately assist CBOs access additional resources to support OVC.
 For more details please see the full report here