Through partnerships with local grassroots NGOs in Africa and Asia, ICT continues to provide vital support to thousands of vulnerable children and their families each year, such as improved healthcare, quality education, livelihoods support, counselling and protection from harm. ICT also facilitates the organisational development of its local partners in order for them to manage and sustain these activities on a long-term basis, without ongoing support from ICT.
Here are some examples of the impact that ICT partnership made during 2009:
Cambodia
- M’Lop Tapang’s mobile library reached an average of 270 children within the community each month. Children who are unable to visit the main drop-in centre were taught basic literacy, including both Khmer and English, and provided with a range of educational activities.
India
- ICT helped Kalki Welfare Society produce its first Child Protection Policy in both English and Tamil. The document, which was designed in line with M’Lop Tapang’s policy, is now strictly adhered to by all staff and volunteers working at ‘Kalki’.
- During the year, Arunodhaya Centre for Street and Working Children provided crèche facilities to 58 young children in Dindigul District, whose mothers are unable to care for them during the day, often due to essential work commitments.
Kenya
- WEAEP trained 98 women in leadership and participatory methodology enabling them to facilitate weekly meetings within their communities. During the meetings, women and girls receive literacy training and have the opportunity to discuss issues affecting their rights such as child abuse and HIV/AIDS.
- Wema Centre Trust reunited 52 former child sex workers with their families following extensive work carried out by its team of dedicated social workers. Without this support, these children may have never seen their families again.
Nepal
- ICT established its first ever partnership in Nepal with Rural Environment & Empowerment Centre (REEC). Since July, REEC has provided 75 child labourers with vital medical attention, many suffering from tuberculosis, malnutrition and exhaustion.
Sri Lanka
- With funding secured by ICT, Makandura Village Projects purchased 100 new bunk beds for children staying at Dikkelle Children’s Centre. This has significantly improved the health and wellbeing of the children who previously slept on floor mats.
- ICT convinced a charitable trust, which formally gave through ICT, to give directly to Shilpa Children’s Trust, adding to a number of initiatives which, together, are helping build its sustainability.
Tanzania
- Funding from ICT enabled Faraja Trust Fund to construct a water pipeline in one of Morogoro’s largest slums, which now provides clean, fresh water to hundreds of children and their families in the community. This has significantly reduced the amount of children contracting bilharzia, which tends to impair growth and cause chronic anemia.
- In July, ‘Faraja’ established the first street children’s football team in Chamwino. As well as the obvious health benefits, it has improved the children’s academic performance, developed their self-esteem, and reduced delinquent behavior.
Uganda
- This year, KICWA trained 56 young mothers (former child soldiers/sex slaves) in business, savings and loan management, enabling them to establish a number of successful income generating activities.
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