ASAP Model

Community-based Intervention for Orphans and Vulnerable Children

Based on practical experience, ASAP has developed a 7-year Model that builds the capacity of emerging groups to develop into mature organizations with a community network to care for the majority of orphans and vulnerable in their community.

ASAP anticipates that if 6 community based organizations perform at the same capacity of our current partners, an additional 14,000 OVC will be served.

The goal is to build the capacity of community-based organizations to:

• attain 100% accountability
• develop and practice good governance
• deliver effective broad based care
• scale up services to increasing numbers of orphans and vulnerable children
• build their own sustainable organizations

ASAP provides specific training that builds administrative and programmatic capacity, including:

• Long-term, incremental operational grants
• Organizational Development interventions including Project Management training and Monitoring and evaluation, Accounting, Grant-writing and Stategic planning (M.A.G.S)
• Agricultural and child care training
• Ongoing mentoring and coaching by ASAP field staff and Board members

Strategy

Between March 2008 and February 2015, this strategy has the following 3 primary objectives:

1. 6 community-based organizations (CBO) have increased capacity to independently acquire and network resources & training to 700 women caring for orphans & vulnerable children (OVC).
2. 6 CBOs establish their own drop-in centre models which they replicate to extend broad-based care to OVC. 700 Community Workers are qualified in Child & Youth Care and intervene in the lives of OVC & Child Headed Families. CBOs replicate 200+ sustainable, Community Worker run Drop-in and Daycare Centres serving 14,000 OVC, providing reliable access to: nutrition, pre-school, primary, secondary & tertiary education, psycho-social support, first-aid, clinic & hospital referral, social services, ARVs where available, youth leadership & development activities and home based care.
3. Community workers extend agricultural training & resources to 4500 OVC Guardians. ASAP introduces bona fide micro savings and loans initiatives in their communities, to enhance sustainable economic development to care for their OVC.

Rationale

By allowing the organizations to develop their own models of care, in conjunction with training, gardens and regular onsite capacity building, ASAP has proved that they are capable of scaling up to reach increased number of orphans and vulnerable children. In 2002 there were 100 women caring for 280 children. In 2008 there are over 585 women providing broad based care to 8, 500 children. We have received reports form teachers, children, community members and caregivers which give testimony to the positive impact of community-based interventions and indications of increased school attendance and improved health and nutrition of orphans and vulnerable children.