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Helping people help themselves

By Zuhur Yassin Ibrahim--Somaliland 

 

 

World Vision which is an international organization partnered with SRCS (Somaliland National Red Crescent society) to establish 11 CCCs (Community Care Coalitions) in all the 5 districts of the capital city Hargeisa. These CCCs which were established Jan 2007 are to mobilize the community to help and take care of the OVC (Orphans and Vulnerable Children) living in their communities.

 The CCC members are volunteers from all sectors of the society- health professional, teachers, Imam’s, community leaders, etc. A SRCS community mobilizer who mobilized the communities told me that it was a hard job to get it all started but now things are moving very well. It took 4 months to collect and talk to the individuals to convince them to volunteer some hours during the week for the benefit of the OVC.

 More than 4000 OVC are registered in the CCC after they assessed their respective communities. The CCC members are now aware of the conditions children are situated in there communities. Some CCC have taken initiatives and already started helping the orphans and vulnerable children. They started schools for the children. A small boy who was studying the class told us he never attended school and is very happy to study.

 Fifty participants (21 female and 29 male) selected from 10 CCC’s have finished training on life skills and will be training others within the CCC and the registered OVC in their committees. These skills when passed on to the children will benefit them in many ways. The life skills training covered major topics including various categories of life skills, basic facts on HIV/AIDS communication, decision-making, critical and creative thinking, managing emotions, assertiveness, self-esteems building, resisting peer pressure, and relationship skills.

 These kinds of initiatives are much needed in the community. Organization (UN, INGO’s) and the government should encourage and support them financially and with advice. It is grassroots initiatives like these that make a difference.