School-Community Partnership Serving Orphans and Vulnerable Children Affected by HIV/AIDS (SCOPSO)
Date of Operation: 2009 – 2013
Primary Implementing Partner: World Learning Inc.
Other Implementing Partner(s): Tigrai Development Association (TDA)
Regions of Operation: Nationwide
Goal:
Provide quality comprehensive services to orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) affected by HIV/AIDS in primary schools, with a focus on improving retention and learning achievements.
Objectives:
- Support school enrollment, attendance, and academic achievement of OVC
- Engage teachers, caregivers, and other young people to provide OVC psychosocial support
- Provide supplementary nutrition and critical health services
- Create a protective environment and increase access to legal services
- Ensure safe shelter and stable and loving care arrangements for OVC
- Increase household income
Description:
It is estimated that 5.4 million children in Ethiopia are orphans, including approximately 898,350 who have lost either one or both parents as a result of AIDS. Research indicates that orphans, and particularly HIV/AIDS orphans, are generally more vulnerable to a range of risks than children living with both parents. OVC suffer from health problems, lack access to health care and education, they are more likely to experience stigma and discrimination. Schools represent the one place where large numbers of children gather daily. For this reason, as well as other inherent benefits to education, schools and teachers offer an ideal mechanism for providing care and support to OVC and connecting OVC and their families with the resources and services available to them within their own communities.
Expected Results:
- Expand care and support for more than 50,000 OVC in 400 primary schools in Ethiopia
See also: "Yekokeb Berhan" Program for Highly Vulnerable Children