OVC Program

content from www.habitat.org

Formed in 2000, Habitat for Humanity Mozambique has worked with poor communities, local volunteers and international teams to build hundreds of houses in Maputo Province and up country in the provinces of Manica and Gaza.
 

 

Habitat Mozambique has expanded its program to provide housing to the most vulnerable group: caretakers, orphans and vulnerable children (OVCs) who have lost parents to HIV/AIDS. HFH Mozambique provides housing, latrines, inheritance plans, construction training, housing maintenance, mosquito nets and water treatment kits to each of these families. Through partnerships established with Community Based Organizations (CBOs) and other International NGOs such as Africare, HFH Mozambique weaves a crucial integrated approach to serve beneficiary families with all essential services. This comprehensive and coordinated support to meet their multi-dimensional needs for shelter, water, sanitation, malaria protection, health care, education, nutrition and psychological support is of utmost importance for program sustainability.



Construction with conventional materials



Construction with local materials 







 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When the OVC program started, Habitat Mozambique houses were made of local materials with stabilized foundations and cement floors. But with challenges in material availability, especially roofing thatch which was scarce during the rainy season, HFH Mozambique was forced to change to more conventional materials. All the methods used lower costs, increase efficiency and community involvement. 





Highlights: 2006: The OVC program partnered with Opportunity International (OI) to address both basic income and shelter needs of OVCs, as OI provides microfinance to enable caregivers to earn income from small businesses.



2006: HFH Mozambique was awarded a grant just short of $2million USD by USAID, to use to help provide shelter and support for children left orphaned by the HIV/AIDS epidemic. In total the project aims to ensure housing for 2,700 OVCs.

2006: With this USAID funding, Habitat Mozambique has expanded into ManicaProvince with the OVC program. To date 480 healthy homes have been constructed, serving a total of 1,414 OVCs. This is done in partnership with local community-based organizations that provide holistic care for the children.

2010: Continued expansion of the Programme to Gaza Province with funding from HFH Netherlands. By 2012, 265 families will be served with decent shelter in the Xai Xai district. To date 98 homes have been completed with pit latrines for OVC families. Success has been achieved through the use of local partners and the continued support received from Global Village volunteer teams.

Families served to June 2010: 1487

Full house sponsorship cost: $2670 USD

Housing solutions: New houses