STUDY ON COMMUNITY BASED INSTITUTIONS IN THEIR ROLE OF ORPHAN AND VULNERABLE CHILDREN SUPPORT AT HAWASSA: THE CASE OF THREE SUBCITIES

Abstract

The impact of poverty and limited involvement of community based institutions (CBIs) on orphan and vulnerable children (OVC) and their guardians are one of the challenges of communities in sub- Saharan countries encounter. Yet, in countries such as Ethiopia, the efforts of CBIs exert to combat and address the problem and extent of OVC has not been documented. This thesis begins to address role played by CBIs and the capacity gaps to provide standard quality service for orphan and venerable children (OVC) and their care givers. Its purpose is to come up with inputs for designing community- based programs and strategies to address the problems of OVC and their guardians in the study area. The study was conducted in three sub cities of Hawassa, SNNPR. The methods employed are stratified random sampling to identify the community based institutions selected from the population of six kebeles and utilizing data collection technique such as interview with community based institutions, government line departments, community leaders, spiritual leaders, OVC self-guardians and civil society associations. The main findings suggest that role CBIs on the support of OVC and their care givers relatively encouraging in the study area, but the capacity of them to provide standard and quality services is low. Lack of communality participation, skilled man power and financial problems are the main factors that attributes to the service provision of CBIs to OVC and care givers. Almost all OVC and care givers live in object poverty and are unable to meet basic needs. The NGOs and community based institutions are the main providers of care and support to OVC in the community. Nevertheless, some private organizations initiatives exist. The types of care and support provision mainly are education, community health, legal support and economic support, but food and nutrition, psychosocial support and shelter and care are still needs to improve. The most challenges that the CBIs encounters in OVC care and support are fund, community participation and trained staff on community based care and support. There is also a need to build the capacity of local community responds to OVC, including advocating and lobbying for community based child care approaches, as well as resource mobilization for comprehensive care and support for OVC living in the community. Moreover, the study also suggests the need of more comprehensive community based, integrative approaches that incorporate the prevention of vulnerability in the community for children and families. Poverty alleviation programs for children and families.