Mechanisms
HIV/AIDS themes
- Prevention
- Care, treatment & support
- Children
Organisational development
Project management

Children

Many countries are now having to cope with large numbers of children orphaned by HIV/AIDS. These and other countries will have to continue to do so for many years to come. Other children and young people, as well as orphans, lack support and are vulnerable. These include street children, children affected by conflict, disabled children, children affected by HIV/AIDS and girls.

Compared to other children, orphans and other vulnerable children are more likely to:

do badly in school and/or drop out of school
have poor educational and vocational opportunities
begin working at an early age
have poor health and nutrition
lose their rights to land and property
lack love, care and attention
experience stigma and discrimination
experience exploitation and abuse
suffer sexual abuse and exploitation
become HIV-infected
lack emotional support to deal with grief and trauma
experience long-term psychological problems
take drugs and other substances and become involved in crime.

Despite all these potential problems for orphans and other vulnerable children, many children and young people show great ability to cope, even with the most extreme circumstances. This is because the majority of children and young people are extremely resilient, particularly when supported by family and community members. Many families and communities are providing considerable levels of support to orphans and other vulnerable children in extremely difficult circumstances.

Many people and community organisations are responding to this issue. There is growing evidence of what works and what does not. Orphanages and other institutions may seem a good idea at first. However, they are rarely an appropriate solution. They are very expensive. They can only ever care for a small percentage of all children in need. They often cater poorly for the psychosocial needs of children and young people and they may undermine what families and communities are doing. The extended family and community are the first line in any response to children orphaned and made vulnerable by HIV/AIDS. Technical support providers working in this area should focus on initiatives that help family and community efforts provide for the many, varied needs of orphans and vulnerable children.

Resources

Orphans and other vulnerable children support toolkit

Online toolkit of information, tools and guidance on supporting orphans and other vulnerable children living in a world with HIV/AIDS.
International HIV/AIDS Alliance, 2004

First Steps - Ideas for facilitating community mobilisation on issues relating to OVC

Report providing a starting point and guidance on assembling a community mobilisation process for an OVC impact mitigation programme in Burkina Faso.
SAFAIDS/International HIV/AIDS Alliance, 1999, Word, 18 pgs, 100 kb

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Developing a framework to support and analyze the potential to increase the coverage and quality of OVC Programs

Outlines the Step Forward Program's framework with the potential for large-scale adaptation.
Step Forward, 2002, PDF, 4 pgs, 153 kb

Principles to Guide Programming

This document offers a set of guiding principles upon which to develop an expanded response to children and adolescents affected by HIV/AIDS.
USAID/UNICEF, 2000, Word, 13 pgs, 112 kb

Getting Resources to the Base

Presentation discusses appropriate mechanisms to deliver small grants and technical support to grassroots groups who support OVC.
Foster G., 2002, PDF, 9 pgs, 97 kb

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Guidelines for Counselling Children

Tool for working with children who are infected with HIV or affected by HIV and AIDS.
SAT, 2003, PDF, 42 pgs, 370 kb

Care for children infected and those affected by HIV/AIDS

A handbook for community health workers.
SCUK, 2003, PDF, 123 pgs, 1.7 mb

Building Blocks: Africa wide briefing notes

A series of briefing notes providing issues, guidance and best practice for communities supporting orphans and vulnerable children. Available in English, French and Portuguese.
International HIV/AIDS Alliance, 2003, PDF, 7 booklets, 24-36 pgs

Overview (English, French, Portuguese)

Education (English, French, Portuguese)

Health and nutrition (English, French, Portuguese)

Social inclusion (English, French, Portuguese)

Psychosocial support (English, French, Portuguese)

Supporting older carers (English, French, Portuguese)

Economic strengthening (English, French, Portuguese)

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Let's create a rainbow (Hindi)

A series of briefing notes providing issues, guidance and best practice for communities supporting orphans and vulnerable children. This resource is primarily for use by practitioners at national and sub-national level in India. Available in Hindi.
CHETNA (Centre for Health Education, Training and Nutrition Awareness) and the International HIV/AIDS Alliance, 2005, PDF, 7 booklets, 24-36 pgs

Overview (Hindi)

Education (Hindi)

Health and nutrition (Hindi)

Social inclusion (Hindi)

Psychosocial support (Hindi)

Child protection (Hindi)

Economic strengthening (Hindi)

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Pathways for children: Guidelines for communities working with orphans and vulnerable children (Khmer)

A series of briefing notes providing issues, guidance and best practice for communities supporting orphans and vulnerable children. This resource is primarily for use by practitioners at national and sub-national level in Cambodia.
KHANA (Khmer HIV/AIDS NGO Alliance) and the International HIV/AIDS Alliance , 2005, PDF, 7 booklets, 24-36 pgs

Overview (Khmer)

Education (Khmer)

Health and nutrition (Khmer)

Social inclusion (Khmer)

Psychosocial support (Khmer)

Child protection (Khmer)

Livelihood and economics (Khmer)

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