Early Childhood Development

The ECD project was initiated after the realization that orphaned and other vulnerable children have limited access to early education because families have limited means. The organization, in partnership with community stakeholders, established play centres for such children. The Ministry of Education, Sport and Culture was engaged to train the play centre facilitators (volunteers) on the Early Childhood Education Curriculum.  A wet feeding component was introduced as a way of improving children’s nutritional status. Caregivers are continually trained on nutrition and Low Input Gardening to increase the household nutritional base. Play centre facilitators also received trainings on psychosocial support and are thus better placed to identify and help children with psychosocial problems. Care giving skills orientation is also provided to primary caregivers through parenting dialogues.  To date, the ECD initiative has reached out to over 2000 children and 500 caregivers.


Integrated Model for Paediatric ART Care and Treatment (IMPACT)

Regardless of them being HIV infected, children have limited access to treatment and, consequently, care and support. Such limited access is largely due to caregiver reluctance to get HIV tests as an HIV positive result on a child would also implicate the same status on the parent. The IMPACT initiative thus seeks to raise community awareness on the importance of early infant diagnosis. Furthermore, medical support is offered through the doctors’ outreach in which volunteer doctors and nurses conduct free community clinics for children. The doctors’ outreach also allows for Provider Initiated Testing and Counselling (PITC). The organization also refers children to ART service providers and facilitates CD4 testing. Psychosocial support provision is offered through support groups for caregivers and children. The project offers livelihoods support through income generating projects meant to enable caregivers to cater for the children under their care. Capacity building trainings are carried out with children and caregivers as a way of improving on the care giving rendered to HIV positive children. Nutritional support through dry ration provision is also offered to promote adherence. To date, the project has reached out to 236 HIV positive children in all areas of operation.


Vana Schools Integrated Programme (VSIP)

The organization regards the school system an important stakeholder in child welfare. As a way of improving on schools’ capacity to respond to issues affecting children within the school system, the organization has partnered with schools in a VSIP initiative which has got three main components:

1. Child Rights Radio Listener Sessions; Children listen to plays centred on their rights and responsibilities. Such plays raise awareness on children’s rights and responsibilities, a proactive measure in child abuse prevention as children can identify and report such issues. Psychosocial support provision is ensured as children get a platform to discuss with their teachers issues that might be troubling them.
2. School Health assessments; The organization carries out health assessments for all children within the school once a year. Health assessments ensure medical support for children in need of medical attention as they are referred to local clinics for free treatment.
3. Income Generating Projects; The establishment of income generating projects within schools increase their capacity to cater for the educational needs of children that face challenges using proceeds from the projects. Currently the organization is working with 11 primary schools with an estimated total enrolment of 14000

Societies Tackling AIDS through Rights (STAR) Circles

CPS established STAR circles for children between the age of 10-18years.  It is a participatory approach which facilitates the mobilization of communities affected by HIV and AIDS through mutual reflection, planning and collective actions to end the pandemic.  The children are engaged in livelihoods, career guidance, life skills training, sport, music and dance as well as drama. Such activities empower children to be self reliant and responsible. The children meet on a weekly basis under the guidance of a mentor.  To date a total of 660 children (171 boys and 459 girls) participate in Star Circles.


Youth Education Through Sports

The project seeks to encourage all children, especially youths, to personalize the risk of HIV and AIDS and take prevention seriously. Soccer tournaments act as platforms to address HIV and AIDS issues such as Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT), unintended pregnancies and safe sex, IEC material on HIV and AIDS is distributed while prominent sportspersons act as mentors in discussing issues concerning HIV and AIDS.  To date, Sport teams established are benefiting a total of 423 children (207 female and 216 male)