To celebrate Children’s Day, South Saharan Social Development Organization, SSDO in partnership with ActionAid Nigeria, visited Abor/Isiala community to continue its child message collection activity. There were gift and food items to engage and keep the kids entertained. There was also a session dedicated to teaching the children the importance of hygiene.
The Local Rights Programme is an initiative that aims to reduce poverty by engaging with the poor and marginalized in selected communities through its child sponsorship mechanisms.
Some of the issues identified in the communities include the poverty, lack of education and poor access to healthcare, which are indicators of a deficient system, of which the biggest victims are children.
Having identified this problem, ActionAid Nigeria has partnered with SSDO to find ways to remediate the situation, particularly in Enugu state, through the implementation of the Local Rights Programme (LRP).
This initiative identifies vulnerable children aged 3 – 8 years and attaches them to sponsors. Selected communities include Oduma Achara in Aninri LGA, Igga and Nkume in Uzo Uwani LGA and Abor/Isiala in Isi Uzo LGA.
So far, since the start of the programme, over 500 children have been identified and the sponsorship mechanism initiated.
The 4GATES Orphaned and Vulnerable Children (OVC) project is a global action toward HIV epidemic control in sub-national units in Nigeria. It is a five-year comprehensive HIV care, treatment, and prevention program funded by the Center for Disease Control. With a mandate to work with non-profit organizations and healthcare facilities.
Enugu was one of the red states identified during the assessment and as such, the project is being currently implemented in the state. South Saharan Social Development Organization(SSDO) is an implementing partner alongside the Catholic Caritas Federation of Nigeria (CCFN). So far, the project has been able to reach over 10,000 beneficiaries. Linking them to treatment and monitoring their progress to attain viral load suppression.
Of all the positive beneficiaries enrolled, 96 percent have been able to attain viral load suppression. Reducing the amount of HIV in the blood to a very low level. This makes it possible for the immune system to function and reduces the risk of illnesses. But importantly, it also keeps the risk of transmission at a low.
Through the project, SSDO has been able to support beneficiaries with cash transfers and other forms of support. Beyond health, we understand that other facets of the beneficiary’s life matter in attaining wholeness. For us, the goal is not just to see them attain health stability but also financial and psychosocial stability. Here’s how we’re empowering beneficiaries to be financially stable and economically viable citizens.
Income Generating Activities
IGA is a business model that offers beneficiaries the capital and support to improve their household income through livelihood diversification. We provide beneficiaries with financial support to startup small businesses. The goal of IGA is to ensure the financial sustainability of households. Some of the businesses include petty trading, chemical production, and agricultural byproduct sales.
We currently have 67 beneficiaries of IGA in the OVC project. They have been able to provide for their families and built a sustainable source of income. Another such initiative is cash transfer.
Cash Transfer
A cash transfer is a direct payment of money to a beneficiary who is in dire need. It could be temporary assistance for needy families, social security, or workers’ compensation. But in this case, it is made available to beneficiaries who have an urgent need for cash. Often, the beneficiaries are incapacitated or unable to run a business due to health or age factors. So far over 40 beneficiaries have benefitted from cash transfers.
Adolescent Vocational Training
Understanding that financial sustainability is a long-term endeavor, we focus on empowering adolescent beneficiaries with valuable life skills that can help them learn. Rather than wasting time after their secondary school before taking the tertiary entrance examinations, adolescents are enrolled to acquire skills. And for those who are unable to continue with tertiary education, it becomes a valuable path to economic sustainability.
To guarantee consistency and dedication, adolescents are allowed to choose skills of their choice from a wide range of options. They include welding, fashion designing, carpentry, plumbing among others. The training fees and startup kits are usually provided for beneficiaries. There are currently about 20 beneficiaries of this initiative.
One way to improve the financial stability of a family is by creating a financial plan and following through with the process. Savings is one such habit that can help a family in dire times. It provides a financial backstop for life’s uncertainties and gives a feeling of security. It helps with emergencies and purchases and can be a good starting point to financial independence.
We understand the importance of savings to the stability of beneficiaries and as such encourage Village Savings and Loans (VSLA) in our catchment areas: Enugu South, Nkanu West, and Nkanu East LGAs. South Saharan Social Development Organization (SSDO) in partnership with the Catholic Caritas Foundation of Nigeria through the 4GATES Orphaned and Vulnerable Children Program empowers beneficiaries to make healthy decisions to improve stability.
It is not enough to offer quick, one-time donations to beneficiaries. Beyond the emergency period, there has to be a sustainable mechanism to ensure beneficiaries can generate income for themselves. One such avenue is leveraging VSLA.
VSLA is a self-select savings group that uses members’ savings to lend to each other so they can grow their business. This way, members can increase their income, cultivate a savings habit, and imbibe an investment mindset.
This methodology enables members to save weekly or bi-weekly according to the agreed number of shares. It helps build savings that can be reinvested into the business or used to take care of emergencies or general household running.
Benefits of a VSLA
The savings scheme helps increase the income of a household head. When it is time for a savings group member to access loans, they can use the bulk payment to start or fund an existing business.
It teaches members the importance of frugality and the need for savings. Rather than being extravagant, they learn how to invest in business and agriculture.
Current Reality
Under the catchment areas that SSDO manages, there are 64 beneficiaries in three VSLA groups. And they run a cycle of 9 to 12 months.
The Household Economic Strengthening Officer is always on the ground during meetings to supervise the proceedings, monitor the progress, and offer psychosocial support.
Research carried out by UNICEF in 2015 shows that 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 10 boys in Nigeria have experienced sexual violence before the age of 18. With the drastic increase in the rate of violence against women and girls during the lockdown, you can be sure these numbers have increased. Before the pandemic, one in three women experiences physical violence by a partner.
According to a report by the Center for Global Development, violence against women and children quadrupled during the pandemic. Children have always been a target for pedophiles because of their innocence and vulnerability. Often, these predators ride on the naivety of the children and compel them not to talk. Many of who live with the guilt for the rest of their life.
Sometimes, the children blame themselves for the incident or, in some other cases, care for their abusers and do not want them to get into trouble. It is imperative that parents and guardians are very observant and pay close attention to behavioral patterns in their wards. Signs to look out for include children being aggressive, withdrawn, clingy, or having difficulties sleeping.
Some children suddenly become very wary and avoid specific people for no obvious reason. Others might illicit inappropriate sexual behaviors not expected of someone of that age. The child might also sustain a physical injury in the genital area. Children who are experiencing neglect and disabled children are at a higher risk of being abused.
These experiences result in guilt, anxiety, fear, and depression that could have a lasting effect on their future if not well handled. Understanding this situation, South Saharan Social Development Organization (SSDO) in partnership with Caritas Nigeria under the OVC project created a Child Protection Committee (CPC).
This committee comprises lawyers, social workers, healthcare officials, police officers, case managers, and children. The community-based committee works to protect the rights of children and is equipped to address issues of child rights violations. In the case of any violation, they’re on hand in the community to take up such cases and ensure the child gets the best attention. The unique composition of the group makes them sufficient to tackle various issues.
When abused children need psychological support, the social workers are on hand to provide it. In the instance of physical altercations, the healthcare officials take over. And when abusers need to be dealt with according to the law, law enforcement officials and lawyers are also a part of the committee and do just that.
For efficient role delivery, SSDO organized training sessions on sexual exploitation and child abuse management. Subject experts enlightened the professionals on how best to prevent child sexual abuse and how to effectively work seamlessly as a team to manage any such issues.
The Need for the Child Protection Committee
Education on Sexuality
The committee members are trained on a range of topics that will make them effective first responders. They were trained on how to identify vulnerable children, how to be of help, and how to appropriately escalate issues. In this way, they will be better positioned to help parents understand the need to teach their wards sex education. This way, kids know the danger signs and can react accordingly. Abusers thrive on the naivety of the kids. If kids are taught how to respond, perpetrators’ activities will reduce.
Accelerated Child Abuse Litigation
Evil thrives when the culprit assumes they will get away with the act. When abusers are prosecuted immediately after been convicted, it will serve as a deterrent to those who might be nursing such evil ambition. This is one thing, the committee looks to provide. With proper legal representation by lawyers, identified cases will be immediately handed over to the security officials and followed up to ensure justice is served.
Offers Professional Help
Victims usually repress thoughts of the abuse. For some, this often leads to depression or aggressive behavior towards the opposite gender. Some suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder. However, with the right professional guidance by the team of social workers, and healthcare officials, children can look to have a better future.
Education At The Core
The committee is designed to help raise awareness on child abuse and sexual harassment. This way, in the long run, such cases can be prevented. Affording children the opportunity to grow up in a safe environment. They are also equipped to handle issues when they arise. Helping the kids live life the best way possible barring any health or mental issues that may mar their future.
For many of these kids, they need to be guided to channel their energy to more rewarding and satisfying activities such as sports, exercise, and extra-curricular activities. And in the fullness of time, their past will truly become history. Then they can live out their full potential.
