Hearing Children’s Voices Developing an OVC Policy for the Limpopo Department of Health and Social Development Juliana Thornton XVII International AIDS Conference, Mexico City 7 August 2008 Excerpts previously presented at HIV Implementers Meeting, Uganda, June 2008 Juliana Thornton 2008 HIV Implementers Meeting, June 3rd-7th

Current Interventions National Policy Framework for OVC, July 2005 National Strategic Plan for HIV/AIDS, 2007 Welfare Grants Child Care Forums Drop-in Centres Various NGO models

Context Limpopo is home to 14% of the country’s children – 4th largest population 3.7 million Orphans in South Africa in 2006 – 21% of all children (Child Gauge 2007) Limpopo is home to almost 500 000 Orphans On the border with Zimbabwe High unemployment, poverty, HIV/AIDS

60 children; 2 sets of 3 workshops; 5 districts of Limpopo Methods 60 children; 2 sets of 3 workshops; 5 districts of Limpopo Phase I Rights Tree Power Walk Policy Makers Phase II Community Theatre Debate Child Friendly Societies

Ethics Work with established NGO’s Code of Conduct for all adults and children Safety and Security Policy Non-discrimination Consent

Rights Tree & Power Walk

Policy Makers

Main themes from Children’s Policies: Goal: “To build a better future for all children, not just OVC” Needs of OVC Free Education from 5 to 21 years old Shelter (i.e. Foster parents, recreational facilities, RDP) Social Grant from 0 to 21 years Home Based Care Programmes Duty bearers “by our side or nearby” Tertiary education /Skills building (a recurring theme) Place of Safety Implementation/Programmes Children’s Rights Education (schools, communities) Support Groups Drop-in Centres as Resource Centres for skills building Bursary programmes OVC Forums in schools – child protection

Debating a Draft Policy Phase 2: Debating a Draft Policy

Community Theatre A pressing issue (such as abuse or welfare) is dramatised through a workshop process The play is presented at a school/workshop/community meeting The end of the play is open-ended – there is no resolution to the problem Audience members are invited onstage to dramatise a resolution.

Community Theatre

Debate “It is better not to get any money at all rather than to be called orphans because of HIV” “Let us agree with the name so we can get more support. Those people who are HIV positive are receiving lots of money” In our tradition an orphan is an orphan, not necessarily made that by HIV Debate Methods adapted from Children’s Rights Centre

Implementation Municipal Office of the OVC - decentralise Drop-in Centres – education, reach Reducing Stigma Child Care Forums in schools

The Children’s Voices: Child Participation “We must be involved in the decision-making process as we are the people who will be affected” Stigma: “We might get more money if we say we are affected or infected by HIV and AIDS, but actually it’s not about money because money will never be enough. We want the government to help us without the issue of HIV” Human Resources: “The Municipality office is too far from our centre so it will be good to have someone who can come to us” Drop-In Centres: “They give us one plate of food but when you reach home you find your grandmother and grandfather have no food, what about them?”

Conclusions Those who have “benefitted” advocate for more broad-based action, extension of services More children affected in future Focus on future livelihoods Basic infrastructure – wider benefit Child &Youth Participation

Thank you! Noah Phone: +27 11 234 2270 Fax: +27 11 234 2271 info@noahorphans.org.za Sekhukhune Educare Project Phone: 013 265 1350/1 Fax:013 265 1352 sekhukhune.educare@telkomsa.net Authors: Juliana Thornton Phone: +919 448 7282 thornjm@email.unc.edu Shadrack Mphela Phone:+27 73 866 9373 “This document is an output from a project funded by the UK Department for International Development (DFID) for the benefit of developing countries. The views expressed are not necessarily those of DFID or the Limpopo Department of Health and Social Development.”