"Strengthening support mechanisms in communities to cope with the growing number of OVC in times of HIV and AIDS"
With this project, STOP AIDS NOW! aims to support Malawi organisations in linking and learning and to develop innovative strategies to improve the well-being of orphans and vulnerable children. To do so we have joined forces with the following Dutch child-centred organisations: Plan Netherlands, World Vision, Save the Children and UNICEF.
Determining the focus of project
Three meetings were organised with all the Malawi Desk Officers to discuss the possibilities of the project, select the partner organisations and discuss the (draft) proposals at various stages. On 11th and 12th April a consultation workshop took place in Malawi, with the partner organisations and other interested organisations. Three issues were selected for the linking and learning trajectories. Namely: Lobby and Advocacy, Access to Justice and Psychosocial Support. For each of the 3 issues the objectives, possible stakeholders and the linking and learning opportunities were determined. In the same meeting in Malawi a possible project structure was discussed, and agreements were made on the follow-up.
Development and implementation proposals
In September it had been decided that not 3, but 2 proposals would be developed. The issues Lobby & Advocacy and Access to Justice would be combined in one proposal. Lead agents had been appointed: CEYCA for the project on Lobby & Advocacy and Access to Justice and NOVOC for the project on Psychosocial Support. In the last 3 months of 2007 both CEYCA and NOVOC worked on the development of a solid linking and learning proposal (assisted by a local consultant). CEYCA’s proposal was approved at the end of the year, the proposal of NOVOC was approved in the beginning of 2008. Implementation of the projects will be mainly in 2008, with some spill-over activities in early 2009.
