NOVOC with financial support from STOP AIDS NOW! is implementing a Linking and Learning Project focusing on two tracks of Psychosocial Support and Advocacy with core Partners of Youth-net and counseling (YONECO), Eye of the Child, Ecumenical Counseling Centre (ECC) and Malawi Human Rights Resource Centre, Plan Malawi and Centre for Youth and Children Affair respectively.
The overall objective of the Project is to contribute to the facilitation of support, care, protection and development of Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) in a coordinated manner in order to provide them with environment in which they realize their full rights and potential.
As part of the implementation effort for this project in creating increased advocacy for improved care, protection and support for OVC in Malawi as well as increased programme support, NOVOC in conjunction with all the STOP AIDS NOW! partners in Malawi, has developed this Magazine focusing on the responses from duty bearers in meeting the challenges of OVC in Malawi.
This Magazine among other things aims at disseminating the experiences, successes and challenges encountered by different Services Providers in meeting the needs of OVC in Malawi.
The Magazine has gather evidence for the available services for the care and support for OVC in the districts of Lilongwe, Mchinji and Kasungu and is carrying information on various identified solutions for improving care and support for OVC from caregivers, parents and community leaders.
At the same time, by documenting the stories, this Magazine is trying to strengthen advocacy for improved care and support for OVC in Malawi.
People that ahve been interviewed in the stories carried in this Magazine including Ministry of Gender, Children and Community Development and OVC focal persons, at national level.
The Magazine also sought the view of District Social Welfare Officers, District Community Development Officers, District Youth Officers and Some Civil Society Organizations at regional level.
At community level, the newsletter managed to talk to parents, guardians of OVC at household and community based organizational levels as well as local community leaders.
Government Applauds NOVOC
Meanwhile, government has applauded NOVOC for taking a great role advocating for more resources for Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC).
Coordinator for Orphans and Vulnerable Children in the Ministry of Gender and Children Affairs Harry Satumba applauded NOVOC saying the network provides room for sharing of best practices by stakeholders, on how to take care of OCV.
Satumba said government has put in place deliberate policies to ensure that orphans and vulnerable children are well taken care of.
