Strengthen 100 Vulnerable Households in Calabar

STRENGTHEN 100 VULNERABLE HOUSEHOLDS IN CALABAR. JULY 2020

For most of the period under review, our societies were in lockdown due to the catastrophic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Calabar was not spared with gatherings and socio-economic activity restricted. Beneficiaries supported by this project many of which produce and sell agricultural produce were greatly affected as their capacity to sell their goods was affected. This is because their major customers who run various food businesses and restaurants were not in operation.

Amidst this situation, we commenced a re-organization to bring the project in line with new international programming standards for vulnerable households. This entails comprehensive coverage of 6 +1 service areas for vulnerable households. This includes nutrition, health, psychosocial support, protection, education, shelter and care, and household economic strengthening (HES). To accomplish this we have brought in new leadership for the project.

Part of our new strategy includes the engagement of community volunteers who would identify and enroll target beneficiaries, visit beneficiaries at home to provide targeted services to the caregivers and their vulnerable children on needs bases, guided by a care plan which would be jointly developed by the community volunteer and the caregivers with an agreement that the caregiver would stay committed to achieving the actions drawn out on their care plans for sustainability.

The new strategy also includes providing livelihood opportunities for older vulnerable children (VCs) from the ages of 15 to 17. This includes linking them to skills centers to learn simple short term income-generating skills like making pastry, manicure and pedicure, shoemaking, hat and fascinator making makeup and headgear tying.

These training opportunities would reduce the burden on the caregiver and help them meet their basic needs and reduce their vulnerability to gender-based violence while also reducing incidences of exposure to sexual exploitation and drug addiction and its resultant effects on the household community and society at large.

Under the health service area, we would facilitate health care services such as HIV counseling and testing for its beneficiaries to ensure they all know their HIV status while linking positive ones to care and support services.

Nutrition services would be provided to caregivers to build their capacities on the use of locally available foods to make food for the children in their care at community settings. There would also be the provision of food supplements, nutrition education, and treatment of minor ailments. This would also boost immunity to Covid-19 and other diseases.  

We are also providing psychosocial support services, essentially counseling support during adolescent and kids club meetings and caregivers fora.

 During home visits, community volunteers would engage children in learning activities as well as teach and encourage caregivers to engage their children in some homeschooling as a way to make up for the lessons the children have lost in the course of staying at home due to the lockdown.

Vulnerable children who do not have birth certificates would also be registered with birth registries and provided with birth registration certificates.

After baseline assessments, beneficiaries that have accessed a continuum of services shall be re-assessed and shall be graduated having met the benchmark for graduation showing that they have a source of livelihood to sustain them without external support.

Household strengthening intervention to caregivers and older VCs shall be based on the result of analysis of household vulnerability assessment categorization. Based on the vulnerability category of the beneficiary- Households at the level of most vulnerable shall be provided with palliatives and cash transfers, those at more vulnerable and vulnerable levels who have one or more assets shall either be provided with seed grants to add to their existing businesses or linked to learning a short skill to gain skills after which they will be provided with starter packs to commence business on their respective acquired skills.

The aims and objectives of this programing focus are to - Reduce families’ vulnerability to poverty, increase economic independence, and thirdly Improve people’s ability to provide for their children.

 To achieve our objectives on this project, we shall use the strategies below in our service provision to beneficiaries.

1. Family-Centered Approach: CEF programs shall be household-centered. It is important to take into consideration, the caregiving environment of the child and the caregivers’ caring capabilities. This approach shall ensure that households build a sustainable income to meet the basic needs of vulnerable children through the provision of business startup seed grants, entrepreneurial and vocational skills to caregivers in relation to identified needs. Also, older VCs, child-headed and grand-parent headed households shall be provided with vocational skills as well as map community for available economic resources and opportunities.
2. Community Structure collaboration: CEF shall ensure the promotion and protection of the rights of women, girls and children through the formation and strengthening of community structure such as caregiver’s forum, child protection committees, anonymous whistleblowers, monthly kids club and adolescent forum
3. Referral and linkages: PCEF shall develop a referral directory, network, and create linkages with stakeholders and service providers within our service areas to provide beneficiaries with the needed support. 
4. Gender Mainstreaming: With the understanding that women and girls are usually most affected in crisis situations. Our strategy shall ensure that our activities target the specific vulnerabilities, risks, and needs of girls and women, including mothers with children. In mainstreaming gender into our work, we shall carryout gender-sensitive programs and activities by providing and facilitating adolescent and reproductive health services, menstrual hygiene, and supply and train them on skills of making reusable pads.
5. Monitoring and Evaluation: We shall set indicators to monitor the progress and outcome of this intervention. Each caregiver shall be supported to choose or linked to Income Generating Activity (IGA) based on their desire, experience, our analysis, and understanding of the market situation and economic activities of the community.

Conclusion: We have already commenced baselining and will proceed to implement our new programming comprehensively. At the same time, we are seeking new partnerships to finance the various areas and look forward to providing a glowing report of progress next quarter.