World Education (WEI)/Bantwana Initiative : Reducing Children’s Vulnerability with an Integrated Livelihood, Protection, and Psychosocial Support (PSS) Service Package The Bantwana Initiative is a joint program of World Education, Inc. and John Snow, Inc. (JSI)

Bantwana’s Mission Find sustainable, local solutions in caring for OVC and caregivers in high HIV prevalence countries Improve environment of OVC support through policy and advocacy Identify effective entry points to comprehensive OVC service delivery: Bantwana’s programs in Uganda, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, and Swaziland reach 90,000 OVC annually ▪ health ▪ education ▪ livelihoods ▪ nutrition ▪ shelter ▪ child protection ▪ psychosocial support ▪ legal rights

Western Uganda Context High HIV and poverty have led to high numbers of OVC at risk for exploitation, abuse, and HIV infection Since 2008, Bantwana has built the capacity of 9 CBO partners to deliver integrated livelihoods, child protection, and psychosocial services in four underserved districts 4,500 children and their caregivers have received integrated support

The Western Uganda Bantwana Program Livelihoods: 1,191 households have received support; 56 village savings and loans have been formed with 1,353 members linked to broader markets Child protection: 55 Child Rights Clubs formed in schools, community-level systems strengthened through improved referrals PSS: monthly home visits by 144 trained PSS volunteers who provide critical emotional and social support as well as information on health, nutrition, and livelihoods

Tools & Results Child Profiling Baseline and Follow up Study (2009 & 2011): An integrated livelihoods, child protection, and PSS service package positively impacts child-level wellbeing Child Protection Case Studies (2010): Strengthened linkages among school, community, government and households improves child protection outcomes PSS Assessment (2010): Monthly visits by PSS volunteers significantly contribute to improved emotional wellbeing of caregivers and children Evaluation Study (with Columbia University 2011): Strong correlation between improvements in household economic status and improvements in meeting children’s basic needs and overall wellbeing