On 25th
January, 2020, SOS Children’s Villages Zambia launched the fourth framework of
The Family Strengthening Programme. The community outreach programme, which has
been in existence since 2005, has reached over 20,000 children and young
people, with the aim of preventing family separation and child rights
violations. Innovations on community outreach programmes include economic
activities or income generation, financial inclusion models, food security
measures and community structures enhancement
The
Family Strengthening programme boosts household economic portfolios and
leverages on the power of partnerships by working with community based
structures, government and other non-governmental organisations to empower
vulnerable families economically and with, parenting and other skills so that
they are able to provide care and protection for children who are at risk of
losing parental care.
In the
new framework, from 2020-2024, the organisation is targeting to reach another
7,000 children from 1,167 households. With historical successes in Lusaka, Kitwe and
Livingstone, the Family Strengthening programme will now reach families in
vulnerable communities in Ndola, Masaiti, Mumbwa, Chibombo, Chongwe, Kazungula
and Choma.
The new
framework is a new grant acquisition from NORAD and will cover programmes that
will build the capacity of communities so that they can provide sustainable
safety nets for children who are at risk of losing parental care and vulnerable
youth. Through these community-based partners, the organisation will facilitate
empowerment activities for vulnerable families, in order to prevent separation
of children from their families. Working
with government and other stakeholders, this period will see the implementation
of inclusive education, financial inclusion, and other programmes aimed at
promoting youth empowerment and employability.
The
Kick-off meeting, which was held at Palmwood Lodge, was an indication of the
SOS Zambia commitment to preventing the separation of yet another 7,000
children from their families.
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