CHAIN OVC PROGRAM
AUGUST 2014
HOLIDAY PROGRAM REPORT
Introduction
CHAIN once again organized the OVC holiday break program in August 2014
purposely to strengthen and enhance children’s academic and social skills.
Activities included, letter writing, career guidance, psychosocial support, time
management, life skills; At least 55 children attended the program.
1.0
ACTIVITIES
1.1 Life skills session
Through discussion with children about
the day to day activities in their lives; it
is imperative that they have to make
decisions as they grow up. Children
struggle daily with situations that
demand decisions between what
they want to do and what they ought
to do. Thus the decisions children
make will determine what they will
become.
A story about a girl who had to make
a decision between her mothers’
instruction against the friends or peers
was read by the children and it was
resolved that – For every IF there is a
THEN.1
2
1.2 Children / Sponsor Interaction
This is always an exciting period for children to communicate to their sponsors
through letter writing. It is a sharing moment for the children with their sponsors.
The session called for children’s creativity and also to improve on the children’s
1
Adventure Unlimited – life skills for an AIDS – Free Generation
writing skills. Children designed seasonal greetings cards for their sponsors using
colored pencils, water color and colored papers, glue and scissors.
Left is Regina (CHAIN Executive Director)guiding a child& right are some of the cards to
sponsors.
1.3 Learning from each other
Time was set aside to enable children learn and have fun together through
music, dance and drama .They go to different schools and come from different
cultures and communities; hence an opportunity for diversity.
Left is Aslum Walugembe & right is Angela Nampijja entertaining fellow children
1.4 Time Management
Children were given an exercise to write down
the activities that they engage in a day from the
time they wake up untill they sleep and how
long it takes. This was meant to determine how
they use their time.
The exercise revealed that most of the children
positively utilise their time only during class time.
The rest of their time is spent on either playing or
watching TV / Films. Furhtermore the influence of
peers affects their behaviour and focus on
education.
They were educated the importance of proper
use of their time both at school , home and
community. Good grades and behavior was
emphasized as core principles of the program.
Left are some of the lessons learnt by the children.
1.5 Skype Session
Children had an exciting experience talking to their sponsors on Skype. Children
were motivated to work harder in their studies as sponsors pointed out their
strength to them but also urged them to
make use of University students on the
programme for mentoring. These are
students who have worked hard to be
where they are.e.g. Benson Simuyu now
pursuing a bachelors degree of science in
medical
radiography
at
Makerere
University.
Benson was also urged by the sponsors to
always find time to guide his siblings.
Right is Ivan Kirumira talking to his sponsors:
Jerry & Virginia on skype.
1.6 Career Guidance
A session on career guidance
was conducted by Benson.He
critically assessed the children
performance in primary seven
and senior secondary levels
through their report forms – to
enable him make a more guided
and focused discussion. Fourteen
(14) children; of which 8 children
were from P.7 and 6 children from
the senior section attended the
session. Benson’s findings after this
session are shared in script given below. Left is Benson carrying out the session.
1.6.1 Career guidance -One on one with senior four candidates
Benson spent time with senior four candidate for the year 2014. Jjunju
Kennedy had an opportunity to interact with Benson and discuss ed his
learning challenges .He needed tips on
revising for exams which
Benson provided e.g. specific areas that normally feature in the exams
in all the subjects were eplored. Kennedy confessed that the 3 hour
session positively changed his views regarding his academics and
promised to get good grades in his final exams.
1.7 TRADE SCHOOL / APPRENTICESHIP TRAINING
Swalik Ssenyonyi is in trade school, training in bicycle and motorcyle repair in a
garage located in Kanyanya – Kawempe division. Swalik had challenges with
transport as he lives far from where he is training. He was supported with a
bicycle to ease his transport.
Swalik assembling his bicycle.
Swalik posing with assembled new bicycle.
Nakalisa Shalifa was advised to join trade school since she had failed to
improve on her grades. She is now training in hairdressing – a six months course
at Mirembe Community College located in Kanyanya.
Shalifa Nakalisa (in a dotted green blouse) plaiting Sandra’s hair at Mirembe
Community College. Right is Regina admiring Sandra ‘s hair.
1.8 Working in partnership to reach more……..
CHAIN works with The AIDS Support Organisation (TASO) to offer services to
people living with HIV and AIDS to prolong and save lives of neediest of the
needy.
On the Citi Global Community Day the management and staff of Citibank spent
a day at CHAIN to give back to the community. They constructed a shelter to
be used by people living with HIV to receive their Antiretroviral. They also visited
OVC households and donated items which included; soya flour, sugar, rice,
salt, blankets, mosquito nets, clothes, soap, books, pencils, buckets, balls & toys.
In Uganda, one of the barriers to access and full participation of children in
education is poor nutrition, having one meal a day or no meals at all both at
school and home3. At least 104 children from 19 vulnerable households
benefitted from the donated items.
3
National Orphans And Other Vulnerable Children Policy 2004
The Managing director of CITIBANK (with a microphone) handing over the donated
items to Regina.
Tarik Ntege is one of the children that are supported under the CHAIN OVC program.
Tarik suffers the double burden of being an orphan but also lives with HIV which he
acquired through Mother–To–Child Transmission (MTCT). Just like other OVC, Tarik is on
treatment (Antiretroviral drugs) but lacks good nutrition to enable him adhere to the
medication. Tarik’s household was among those that were visited and supported with
the donated items.
The managing director of CITIBANK with team at Tarik Ntege’s house.
1.8.1 OVC Fundraising Function.
Education is a means in fighting poverty and also key in reducing vulnerability. Due to
the ever growing vulnerability of children in Uganda, and with an aim of reaching and
supporting more vulnerable children, CHAIN Uganda organised a fundraising function.
Invitation cards were designed and sent out to beneficiaries, Patient organisations,
Parents / guardians, well wishers, and friends to join hands for this cause. A sample card
is below.
Fundraising card
On the fundraising event the children performed a poem and a song depicting
the importance of going to school . Rachael Nantume (who is pursuing a
bachelor’s degree in Civil Engeneering) and Gaster Oboth (who is pursuing a
bachelor’s degree in computer science)testified how they have benefitted from
the program .
The testimonies touched and challenged the audience including the children
for they painted vividly the role and impact of the support received from
sponsors . The community and private sector were urged to also support the
OVCs to get an education. Addah Muttoni; one of the child beneficiaries of the
OVC program was one of the souls that was touched by the two testimonies as
depicted in her letter below.
Left are children presenting a poem and right are some of the guardians listening.
Children & CHAIN staff jubilating after the function.
On the fundraising function day we raised Uganda Shs 223,000/= ( $85) from an
Item that was auctioned, 94,350 /=(about $35) from the donation box
2.0 In the eyes of the guardians …………
Dear Sponsors, your continued love
and support definitely puts a smile on our faces.
Thanks ever so much.
Keep in touch with us:-
www.chainproject.co.ug
Community Health and Information Network – CHAIN
CHAINPROJECT