Community Self Help Savings Group Methodology in OVC care and support program in Ethiopia Topic:D42

Background Ethiopia is located in East Africa with estimated population of 80 million Ranked third in terms of number of people living with HIV (1.3 million) Over 4 million Orphan and Vulnerable Children in the country PC-3, an OVC program, is a PEFAR funded care and support program started in October 2004 to reach 500, 000 OVC in Ethiopia within five years period It is implemented via consortium of international NGOs and hundreds of local community groups. CARE is a lead in implementing this approach

CSSG Methodology Community self help savings groups methodology is derived from CARE international VS&L model CARE Ethiopia adopted and implemented the methodology under various projects including PC3 program to address the financial needs of house holds caring for OVC to meet their basic needs It is saving led approach where 10-20 caregivers of OVC come together to form groups and pool their financial resources in to group fund from which members get access to loan fund for life cycle events, emergencies and investment on IGAs Each group has its own management committee, internal regulation and operation cycle The project trains the groups on how to mange funds, create loan criteria and regulations and how to identify, plan and implement IGAs No direct financial handout from the project to the groups

Results 350 CSSGs have been established from 2006 -2007: 6,329 members (95 %female) benefited from financial and other services; level of savings mobilized reaches $54,347 USD and level of loan repayment is in high 90’s Overall observed outcomes: Easing financial burden by providing caregivers with a mechanism to save and earn income; Preventing destructive behaviours because of peer support; Linking participants to other HIV & AIDS services; Improving the psycho-social status of the members of OVC households. CSSG works as safety-net and social support network Reduce stigma and discrimination as it works with a mix of HIV positive and negative members.